Duke Blue Devils Punch Ticket to March Madness with Thrilling ACC Tournament Championship Victory

Cooper Flagg delivered a performance for the ages Tuesday night, scoring 28 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead Duke to a thrilling 79-75 victory over North Carolina in the ACC Tournament Championship game, punching the Blue Devils' ticket to March Madness.

The highly anticipated renewal of the Duke-Carolina rivalry lived up to all expectations at the Greensboro Coliseum, with both teams trading haymakers throughout a back-and-forth contest that wasn't decided until the final seconds. Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, took over when his team needed him most.

"This is what you dream about as a kid," Flagg said after cutting down the nets. "Playing Duke-Carolina in a championship game, with everything on the line. My teammates trusted me to make plays, and I was able to deliver for them."

Duke trailed by seven points with just over eight minutes remaining before embarking on a decisive 15-6 run that proved to be the difference. Flagg scored 10 points during that crucial stretch, including a thunderous dunk with 2:47 remaining that sent the Blue Devils faithful into a frenzy.

North Carolina, led by junior guard RJ Davis's 24 points, fought valiantly but couldn't overcome Duke's late surge. The Tar Heels, who were seeking their first ACC Tournament title since 2022, will now anxiously await Selection Sunday to learn their NCAA Tournament fate.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team's resilience in what was their biggest test of the season. "We've been building toward this moment all year," Scheyer said. "To beat Carolina in a championship game shows the character and heart of this group. Cooper was phenomenal, but this was truly a team effort."

The victory gives Duke their 22nd ACC Tournament championship and likely secures them a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. With Flagg leading a talented roster that includes several other future NBA players, the Blue Devils are positioned to make a deep March Madness run.