Duke Survives North Carolina’s Comeback to Reach ACC Championship

On March 14, 2025, the storied rivalry between Duke and North Carolina took center stage in the ACC Tournament Semifinals at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. The No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils secured a hard-fought 74-71 victory over the No. 4 seed Tar Heels, surviving a furious second-half comeback to advance to the ACC championship game.

Game Recap

First Half: Duke’s Dominance

Duke started the game on fire, dominating both ends of the court. Behind strong defensive pressure and efficient offense, the Blue Devils built an overwhelming 45-24 halftime lead.

• Kon Knueppel led the charge early, knocking down key three-pointers and keeping Duke’s offense fluid.

• Khaman Maluach provided a strong presence inside, finishing in the paint and securing rebounds.

• Duke’s defense stifled UNC, forcing eight first-half turnovers and holding the Tar Heels to just 32% shooting.

Second Half: North Carolina’s Furious Rally

The second half was a completely different story as North Carolina roared back, outscoring Duke 47-29 in the final 20 minutes.

• Ven-Allen Lubin led the charge for UNC, taking advantage of mismatches inside.

• Elliot Cadeau pushed the pace, making crucial plays in transition and setting up teammates.

• A 14-2 scoring run midway through the half cut Duke’s lead to single digits.

With 2:15 remaining, UNC had trimmed the deficit to just one point (72-71). The Tar Heels had multiple opportunities to take the lead, but:

• RJ Davis missed a go-ahead jumper from mid-range.

• Jae’Lyn Withers was called for a lane violation on a crucial free-throw attempt.

• Duke sealed the game with two clutch free throws from Tyrese Proctor in the final seconds.

Key Player Performances

Duke Blue Devils

• Kon Knueppel (G): 17 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 3-of-6 3PT FG

• Khaman Maluach (F): 13 PTS, 9 REB, 5-of-9 FG (fouled out)

• Tyrese Proctor (G): 12 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 4-of-10 FG

• Caleb Foster (G): 10 PTS, 3 AST, 2-of-4 3PT FG

• Patrick Ngongba (C): 10 PTS, 11 REB, double-double

North Carolina Tar Heels

• Ven-Allen Lubin (F): 20 PTS, 10 REB, 8-of-11 FG (double-double)

• Elliot Cadeau (G): 15 PTS, 5 AST, 3-of-3 3PT FG

• Seth Trimble (G): 14 PTS, 4 REB, 6-of-9 FT

• Drake Powell (G): 10 PTS, 5 REB, 4-of-9 FG

• RJ Davis (G): 8 PTS, 2 REB, 4-of-10 FG

Looking Ahead

With the win, Duke advances to the ACC Tournament Championship, where they will face Louisville, who defeated Clemson 76-73 in the other semifinal. The Blue Devils are eyeing their 36th ACC title, while North Carolina now shifts focus to Selection Sunday to determine their NCAA Tournament seeding.

This game further cemented the legendary Duke-UNC rivalry, delivering yet another classic battle with a dramatic finish. March Madness is in full effect!