Duke secures second ACC title under Jon Scheyer

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the Duke Blue Devils, ranked number one in the nation, captured their second Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament title in three years on Saturday night. They defeated the 13th-ranked Louisville Cardinals with a final score of 73-62 in a closely contested game. Tyrese Proctor was instrumental, scoring 19 points with six successful three-pointers, while Kon Knueppel added 18 points and was named the tournament MVP. Despite injuries sidelining ACC Player of the Year Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown during the tournament, Duke showcased their depth and commitment to defense throughout the event. Duke's achievement marked their 23rd ACC championship overall, solidifying their status as the team with the most titles in the conference's history. The final match saw Duke pull away from the Cardinals by overcoming a tight score with a decisive 12-0 run in the second half. Louisville's Terrence Edwards Jr. had an impressive performance, scoring 29 points, but it wasn't enough to secure victory for his team, which was participating in its first ACC final since joining the league in 2014. This victory not only emphasizes Duke's dominance in college basketball but also sets them up as a strong contender for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where they are expected to be the number one overall seed. Duke's head coach, Jon Scheyer, expressed pride in his team's resilience and the contributions from various players in Flagg's absence. He highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating that many individuals made winning plays that contributed to their success during the tournament. Kon Knueppel's performance, particularly against Georgia Tech in the quarterfinals where he scored 28 points, demonstrated his capability to lead the team even when their star player was unavailable. Furthermore, the win serves as a platform for Duke as they head into the NCAA Tournament, showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive under challenging circumstances. Louisville's head coach, Pat Kelsey, praised his team's efforts and mentioned their recent success in the previous months. Despite the loss, Kelsey noted the impressive turnaround of the Cardinals, who previously struggled in the conference before achieving an 18-2 record during the regular season this year. As both teams prepare for the NCAA Tournament, they hope to build on their momentum and capitalize on their recent performances to advance further into the postseason.