The top-seeded Blue Devils will face their archrivals at Spectrum Center on Friday.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The latest chapter in college basketball’s most storied rivalry will take center stage at the ACC Tournament on Friday, as the North Carolina Tar Heels face the Duke Blue Devils at Spectrum Center in Uptown Charlotte.Β
The Tar Heels advanced to Friday’s semifinal by defeating Wake Forest 68-59 behind RD Davis’ 23 points. Duke, on the other hand, rallied to beat Georgia Tech 78-70. And while Duke’s win probably doesn’t matter for the NCAA Tournament, an ankle injury to freshman star Cooper Flagg could derail the Blue Devils’ national title hopes.Β
Friday’s matchup will be the first time Duke and UNC have met in the ACC Tournament since 2019, when the Blue Devils scored a 74-73 win in Charlotte. That game was also a semifinal and featured future NBA stars Zion Williamson and Cam Johnson.
Cooper Flagg injury looms large
Flagg exited the first half of Thursday’s contest after rolling his ankle. At one point, he was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. He tried warming up before the second half but returned to the locker room to be fitted for a walking boot. Duke coach Jon Scheyer said X-rays were negative on Flagg’s ankle, but admitted it’s a “real longshot” that he’d play again in the ACC Tournament.Β
For Scheyer and Flagg, it’s about March Madness and whether the expected No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft can play again for Duke.Β
“Itβs not about being ready to go tomorrow,β Scheyer said. βThatβs not the most important thing for us. Weβve got to see if we can get him right for this run that we can make in the (NCAA) Tournament.
Tar Heels look to one-up Duke in Charlotte
North Carolina enters Friday’s game looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak to Duke since 2019-20. The Tar Heels were outclassed in both regular season meetings, but with Flagg unlikely to play, there’s a real shot for the Heels to be more competitive.Β
Should the Tar Heels pull off the upset, it would be a huge boost for the NCAA Tournament hopes. North Carolina finished the season strong with six wins before losing to Duke last weekend. A run to the tournament final might be enough to get on the right side of the bubble.Β
Friday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN. The winner will advance to Saturday’s championship game.
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