UNC vs Duke Basketball Thriller: No. 1 Blue Devils Edge Tar Heels in ACC Semifinals Despite Cooper Flagg’s Absence : (UNC vs Duke basketball, Duke score, Tar Heels, Duke UNC game, North Carolina vs Duke, Cooper Flagg, ACC tournament, NCAA tournament, Carolina Duke game today) Duke Survives UNC Comeback Bid in Chaotic ACC Tournament Clash
In a heart-stopping chapter of the Duke vs UNC rivalry, the top-ranked Blue Devils escaped with a 74-71 victory over North Carolina in the ACC tournament semifinals, despite playing without star freshman Cooper Flagg. The Tar Heels nearly erased a 24-point deficit but fell short after a critical late-game lane violation.
Game Highlights: UNC’s Rally Falls Short
Duke, missing Flagg (ankle sprain) and forward Maliq Brown (shoulder), leaned on freshmen Kon Knueppel (17 points) and Khaman Maluach (13 points, 9 rebounds) to build a commanding 45-24 halftime lead. However, the Tar Heels stormed back in the second half, trimming the deficit to one point with under a minute left.
The chaos peaked when UNC’s Ven-Allen Lubin missed a go-ahead free throw with four seconds remaining, followed by a lane violation on Jae’Lyn Withers that nullified his second attempt. Knueppel iced the game with two clutch free throws, sending Duke to Saturday’s ACC final against Clemson or Louisville.
Key Moment: Lane Violation Stuns UNC Fans
With the score at 72-71, Withers’ premature entry into the lane on Lubin’s missed free throw became the game’s defining blunder. “We fought too hard to let it slip like that,” said UNC guard Seth Trimble, whose and-1 play fueled the comeback.
Cooper Flagg’s Status Looms Over Duke’s NCAA Hopes
Flagg, the projected National Player of the Year, suffered an ankle sprain in Duke’s quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech. Coach Jon Scheyer confirmed the freshman is unlikely to return for the ACC final but emphasized prioritizing his health for the NCAA tournament.
“It’s a long shot for him to play tomorrow,” Scheyer said. “Our focus is getting him ready for the [NCAA] run.” Flagg dominated UNC in two regular-season matchups, averaging 18 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
What’s Next for Duke and UNC?
- Duke: The Blue Devils aim for their first ACC title since 2023. Knueppel and Maluach’s breakout performances offer optimism even without Flagg.
- UNC: The Tar Heels await their NCAA tournament seeding, hoping to rebound from this emotional loss. Armando Bacot (14 points, 11 rebounds) remains pivotal.
Box Score Snapshot
- Duke: Knueppel (17 pts), Maluach (13 pts, 9 reb), Jared McCain (12 pts).
- UNC: Bacot (14 pts, 11 reb), RJ Davis (16 pts), Trimble (11 pts).
Why This Game Matters
The Duke vs Carolina rivalry delivered yet another classic, blending high stakes, drama, and a controversial finish. With both teams likely earning top-four NCAA tournament seeds, a March Madness rematch could be brewing.
Stay updated on the UNC basketball schedule and Duke vs UNC news as March Madness approaches.