Duke Defeats North Carolina 74-71 in ACC Semifinal Without Flagg

In a thrilling ACC Tournament semifinal, Duke overcame a significant challenge, defeating North Carolina 74-71 despite the absence of star player Cooper Flagg, who suffered an ankle injury. Jon Scheyer praised his team's defensive efforts and noted the tense nature of the game, as North Carolina rallied from a 24-point deficit. Kon Knueppel led Duke with 17 points, while Khaman Maluach's crucial free throws sealed the win. Both Flagg and junior forward Maliq Brown are unlikely to play in the upcoming ACC championship game, prompting Scheyer to focus on their recovery for the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils will face the winner of the Clemson-Louisville semifinal for the title. The game exemplified Duke's resilience and ability to make key plays under pressure.