In a commanding performance, the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils secured at least a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title by defeating Wake Forest 93-60 on Monday night in Durham, North Carolina.
Freshman standout Cooper Flagg led the charge for Duke with an impressive stat line of 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Flagg's stellar performance, potentially in his final home game, showcased his talent and impact on the court.
Joining Flagg in the scoring effort was fellow freshman Kon Knueppel, who contributed 17 points to the Blue Devils' dominant victory. Duke established a 13-point lead at halftime and extended their advantage further in the second half, ultimately overwhelming Wake Forest.
Despite a strong showing from Efton Reid III and Ty-Laur Johnson, who each scored 14 points for the Demon Deacons, Wake Forest was unable to contain Duke's offensive firepower.
The key moment in the game came when Duke went on an 18-3 run, highlighted by a series of crucial 3-pointers that propelled them to a commanding lead. Duke's sharp shooting, particularly in the second half where they shot 53.8% and made 8 of 19 3-point attempts, proved to be a decisive factor in their victory.
With this win, Duke now stands on the brink of clinching the ACC regular-season title outright, holding a one-game lead over conference rivals Clemson and Louisville.
Looking ahead, both teams will wrap up their regular-season campaigns on Saturday. Wake Forest is set to host Georgia Tech, while Duke will face off against arch-rival North Carolina in what promises to be an intense matchup.
For Wake Forest, the loss to Duke dealt a blow to their NCAA tournament hopes, as they now face uncertainty regarding their postseason prospects. The defeat was compounded by chants of 'NIT! NIT!' from Duke's enthusiastic fan base, underscoring the challenges ahead for the Demon Deacons.
In conclusion, Duke's commanding victory over Wake Forest not only solidified their position at the top of the ACC but also showcased the talent and potential of their young roster, led by the impressive performance of Cooper Flagg.
