In Charlotte, N.C., Tyrese Proctor overcame his shooting slump in spectacular fashion during Saturday night’s ACC championship game. Although he struggled with his shooting in previous tournament outings, missing all 10 of his attempts from the three-point range, Proctor displayed remarkable confidence as he scored 19 points, including six successful three-pointers. His performance, alongside Kon Knueppel—who added 18 points and was named the tournament MVP—propelled top-ranked Duke to a 73-62 victory over the 13th-ranked Louisville. This win secured Duke’s second Atlantic Coast Conference championship in just three seasons under coach Jon Scheyer.
Scheyer praised Proctor, particularly commending his defensive efforts and resilience. “He has been playing great defense,” Scheyer said. “The shots weren’t falling for him recently, but we knew they would eventually because he’s got a killer instinct.” Duke’s triumph marked its 23rd ACC title, a record in the conference, and punctuated a notable season in which they also clinched the ACC regular-season title. After overcoming arch-rivals North Carolina 74-71 in a thrilling semifinal, Knueppel declared, “Two down and one to go,” with sights set firmly on the NCAA Tournament, where the Blue Devils are anticipated to be the No. 1 seed.
Despite playing without key players Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown due to injuries, Duke showed great depth. Sion James also contributed significantly, scoring 15 points. “Every game this season, everyone standing behind me stepped up,” Scheyer shared, emphasizing the team’s collective perseverance. “Tonight was no different. So many guys made winning plays, and that has been the story of this team.” For Louisville, Terrence Edwards Jr. stood out with a valiant 29 points, including five three-pointers. Though Louisville was in its first ACC final since joining the league in 2014, they finished regular conference play with an impressive 18-2 record under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, significantly improving from their prior struggles.
Kelsey commended his team’s effort, noting, “In the last three months this team has lost twice. So I feel strongly that the best is yet to come.” As both teams await their NCAA Tournament destinies, Duke will be confident following a crucial 12-0 run that Proctor ignited midway through the second half. This burst helped establish a decisive 57-47 lead. According to Scheyer, this success encapsulated the team’s spirit and connectivity, propelling them forward despite the challenges.
For Louisville, the emergence of Edwards as an offensive catalyst has been a revelation. Averaging 24.8 points over the last six games, Edwards provided the scoring spark that could potentially sustain Louisville’s playoff run. “He’s been on a tear, for sure,” Kelsey remarked. Duke’s defense was equally influential, limiting Louisville to just nine successful shots out of 35 attempts in the second half. A pivotal moment came when Patrick Ngongba II executed a spinning drive on the baseline, coupled with two subsequent free throws, to extend Duke’s lead.
As both teams prepare for the NCAA Tournament, they reflect on their performances in the ACC. Proctor’s resurgence, alongside Duke’s formidable defense, underscores their reputation as formidable contenders. Meanwhile, Louisville draws encouragement from their notable turnaround this season, fueled by emerging talents. Both squads anticipate their seeding, eager to carry their recent experiences into the national spotlight.
