Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg played pivotal roles in helping No. 2 Duke secure an 82-69 victory over their long-standing rival, North Carolina, on Saturday night. This win not only showcased their talent but also clinched the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title for the Blue Devils.
Knueppel, a freshman sensation, delivered an impressive 17 points, while Flagg contributed 15 points, along with nine rebounds and six assists, despite facing foul trouble in the first half. The Blue Devils, with a record of 28-3 and 19-1 in conference play, demonstrated resilience throughout the game.
Duke initially built a commanding 15-point lead in the first half but found themselves trailing by seven early in the second half. However, the team rallied with a streak of 12 consecutive points, effectively silencing the enthusiastic crowd of Tar Heels supporters.
With this victory, the Blue Devils are poised to ascend to the No. 1 spot in Monday’s AP Top 25 poll, especially after top-ranked Auburn suffered losses in their last two games.
Takeaways
Duke: The team has established itself as a favorite for the Final Four, achieving a remarkable 19-1 record in the regular season—the best since the ACC expanded to a 20-game schedule in 2019-20.
UNC: The Tar Heels entered the game riding a six-game winning streak, showcasing their best form of the season. However, this match represented a crucial opportunity for them to secure a signature win to enhance their NCAA tournament prospects.
Key moment
With UNC leading 59-53, Duke executed a decisive 15-2 run, including Knueppel’s backdoor layup that shifted the momentum. Maliq Brown, returning from injury, hit a critical 3-pointer, extending Duke’s lead to 68-61 with just over eight minutes remaining.
Key stat
In the final 15 minutes, UNC struggled significantly, missing 22 of their last 27 shot attempts as Duke seized control of the game.
Up next
The ACC Tournament kicks off Tuesday in Charlotte. Duke will enter as the top seed, beginning their quarterfinals on Thursday, while UNC, positioned as the 5-seed, is set to compete in the second round on Wednesday.
