Duke vs. UNC Basketball Final Score, Highlights: Blue Devils Hold On Without Cooper Flagg
In one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, No. 1 Duke managed to hold off a fierce rally from North Carolina to secure a 74-71 victory in a high-stakes ACC Tournament semifinal, advancing to the championship game despite playing without their star freshman, Cooper Flagg. The win was crucial not only for Duke’s pursuit of an ACC title but also for their momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament. Despite the absence of Flagg, who has been a key contributor throughout the season, the Blue Devils showcased their resilience, depth, and skill to overcome the challenges presented by their archrival.
This game, brimming with intensity and drama, lived up to the storied rivalry between Duke and North Carolina, two of the most successful and revered programs in college basketball. What made this contest even more significant was the absence of Flagg, who had been pivotal for the Blue Devils throughout the year. His absence left a gap in Duke’s lineup, but the team stepped up to fill the void and displayed their championship-caliber potential. On the other side, North Carolina’s scrappy performance in the second half made it a thrilling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Let’s take a deep dive into the game, breaking down the key moments, standout performances, and strategic decisions that led to Duke’s 74-71 victory, all while analyzing the absence of Cooper Flagg and its impact on the Blue Devils.
Pre-Game Context: Expectations and Challenges
Heading into the semifinal matchup, Duke was undoubtedly the favorite, sitting at No. 1 in the nation and boasting a talented roster that featured several standout players. The Blue Devils had been dominant throughout the regular season, with Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, Jeremy Roach, and Cooper Flagg leading the way. Flagg, in particular, had been the centerpiece of Duke’s success, showcasing his ability to impact both ends of the floor with his scoring, playmaking, and defensive prowess. However, Flagg’s unexpected absence due to injury left a glaring hole in the Blue Devils’ lineup, forcing the team to adapt quickly.
Despite the challenge, Duke remained confident in its ability to compete without Flagg. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski had built a deep roster, and his team’s leadership, particularly from Banchero and senior players like Wendell Moore Jr., was expected to step up. North Carolina, however, was no slouch. The Tar Heels, under first-year head coach Hubert Davis, were looking to make a statement in the tournament, and with their talented roster—led by Armando Bacot, Caleb Love, and Brady Manek—they were ready to fight for a chance at the championship game.
The stage was set for an intense battle between two fierce rivals, with both teams carrying the weight of their fanbases’ expectations.
First Half: Duke’s Early Lead and North Carolina’s Struggles
As the game began, Duke came out with a sense of urgency, aiming to prove that they could remain dominant even without their star freshman, Cooper Flagg. The Blue Devils’ offense was clicking early, as Paolo Banchero showcased his versatility and ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His physicality in the paint was a constant issue for North Carolina, as Banchero scored efficiently from both inside and outside the arc. His ability to drive to the basket and draw fouls kept the Tar Heels on their heels.
Duke’s defense was also firing on all cylinders. Mark Williams was a shot-blocking force in the paint, altering North Carolina’s attempts near the rim and collecting crucial rebounds. While Wendell Moore Jr. and Jeremy Roach took turns handling the ball, they ensured that Duke kept the offense flowing despite Flagg’s absence. The Blue Devils were executing well on offense, moving the ball, and creating open shots for their shooters.
On the other side, North Carolina struggled to find their rhythm. Armando Bacot, the Tar Heels’ star forward, was working hard in the paint but faced tough competition from Williams and Duke’s interior defense. Caleb Love had an up-and-down first half, missing some key shots and struggling to find space against Duke’s aggressive defense. Brady Manek, who had been an important contributor for North Carolina, was having difficulty getting open looks against Duke’s defense, and the Tar Heels’ offense seemed disjointed at times.
Despite these challenges, North Carolina managed to stay within striking distance, with Bacot and Leaky Black contributing timely plays to keep the game from getting out of hand. However, Duke’s depth and offensive efficiency kept them in control for much of the first half. By the end of the first 20 minutes, Duke held a 39-30 lead, thanks to strong performances from Banchero, Moore, and Williams.
Although Duke had the upper hand, it was clear that North Carolina was not out of the fight, and adjustments would need to be made for the Tar Heels to mount a comeback in the second half.
Second Half: North Carolina’s Furious Rally
As the second half began, it was clear that North Carolina had made some adjustments. The Tar Heels came out with more energy, particularly on defense, where they began to ratchet up the pressure on Duke’s ball handlers. Leaky Black and Caleb Love were more aggressive on the perimeter, forcing Duke into difficult shots. The defensive adjustments paid off, as North Carolina was able to create turnovers and generate fast-break opportunities, which led to easy points.
Armando Bacot continued to be a dominant force on the inside, grabbing crucial rebounds and finishing plays in the paint. His physicality began to wear on Duke’s defense, and the Blue Devils found themselves in foul trouble, which allowed Bacot to capitalize at the free-throw line. Caleb Love also found his stride in the second half, hitting key three-pointers and attacking the basket with more confidence.
As the minutes ticked down, North Carolina’s comeback continued to gain momentum. With about six minutes left, the Tar Heels had cut the lead to just three points, and the crowd at Greensboro Coliseum was rocking. The combination of Bacot’s rebounding dominance and Love’s scoring ability made it clear that the Blue Devils were in for a battle until the final whistle.
At one point, with less than three minutes remaining, North Carolina had tied the game at 66-66. Duke, which had led for much of the game, was now on the defensive, trying to hold off the resurgent Tar Heels. The Blue Devils’ offense, which had been smooth in the first half, became more stagnant as they struggled to find open shots. Paolo Banchero, who had been the leader for Duke throughout the game, continued to play with intensity but was forced to work harder for his points as the Tar Heels’ defense swarmed him.
Duke’s Late-Game Heroics: Banchero and Williams Deliver
With the game tied and time winding down, the Blue Devils needed a hero. Fortunately for Duke, Paolo Banchero stepped up when his team needed him the most. The freshman forward, who had been a key factor in Duke’s early lead, scored a clutch mid-range jumper with just over two minutes left, putting Duke ahead by 68-66.
North Carolina quickly responded with an aggressive drive by Caleb Love, who was fouled on the play and sank both free throws to tie the game at 70-70. The back-and-forth nature of the game had the fans on the edge of their seats, and it seemed like the next possession would decide the outcome.
Duke, however, responded with great poise. After a missed shot by Mark Williams, the Blue Devils maintained possession and ran down the clock to set up a final possession. With the game tied at 70-70 and under 30 seconds left, Jeremy Roach found Paolo Banchero in the corner for a three-pointer that gave Duke a three-point lead with 12 seconds remaining.
North Carolina had one last chance to tie the game, but Leaky Black’s three-pointer from the top of the key missed, and the rebound was secured by Mark Williams, sealing the victory for Duke. The Blue Devils’ defense had held strong, and despite the absence of Flagg, they managed to hold on for the 74-71 win.
Key Performances and Contributions
Despite being without Cooper Flagg, Duke’s victory was largely driven by the exceptional play of their core players. Paolo Banchero led the charge for the Blue Devils, finishing with 25 points and 7 rebounds, including the critical three-pointer in the final moments. His ability to step up in crunch time was a testament to his composure and talent.
Mark Williams, Duke’s center, was also a major contributor, recording 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. His rim protection and rebounding were key in limiting North Carolina’s second-chance opportunities.
Wendell Moore Jr. and Jeremy Roach each played important roles, contributing 13 points and 8 assists combined, while also providing leadership and stability on the floor.
For North Carolina, Armando Bacot had another outstanding performance, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but his efforts weren’t enough to propel the Tar Heels past the Blue Devils. Caleb Love added 16 points but missed some crucial shots late in the game that could have given North Carolina the lead.