- Duke claims second ACC championship in three seasons under Coach Jon Scheyer
- Tyrese Proctor breaks shooting slump with six 3-pointers (19 points)
- Louisville's Terrence Edwards Jr. scores game-high 29 points in losing effort
- Blue Devils hold Cardinals to 25.7% second-half shooting
- Duke plays final two tournament games without injured stars Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown
In a dramatic ACC championship showdown, Duke basketball reaffirmed its conference dominance with a 73-62 victory over Louisville. The Blue Devils' triumph marked their 23rd ACC title – extending their record as the winningest program in conference history – while showcasing remarkable resilience amid roster challenges.
Sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor emerged as the unlikely hero, draining six three-pointers after shooting just 20.7% from deep in his previous seven games. His backcourt partner Kon Knueppel sealed tournament MVP honors with 18 points, continuing his late-season surge that positions Duke as a favorite for the NCAA Tournament's top overall seed.
The victory carried particular significance given Duke's injury challenges. Playing without ACC Player of the Year Cooper Flagg and defensive anchor Maliq Brown, the Blue Devils demonstrated championship depth. Sion James stepped up with 15 points, while freshman Patrick Ngongba II delivered crucial late-game plays including a baseline spin move that effectively sealed the victory.
Louisville's remarkable turnaround under first-year coach Pat Kelsey nearly reached storybook completion. The Cardinals, who won just five ACC games in the previous two seasons, rode Terrence Edwards Jr.'s tournament-record 29-point performance to their first conference championship appearance. Edwards' scoring tear – averaging 24.8 PPG over his last six games – suggests Louisville could make noise in March Madness.
Defensive adjustments proved decisive as Duke limited Louisville to 9-of-35 shooting (25.7%) after halftime. The Blue Devils' switch-heavy scheme neutralized Louisville's ball-screen actions, forcing 14 second-half turnovers that fueled their championship-clinching 12-0 run.
With both teams awaiting NCAA Tournament seeding, historical trends favor ACC champions. Since 2015, ACC title winners have reached the Final Four in six of eight tournaments. Duke's combination of elite defense (third nationally in adjusted efficiency) and emerging perimeter threats could make them particularly dangerous in single-elimination play.