March Madness is heating up. The ACC Tournament is delivering drama, surprises, and incredible moments. Duke remains the team to beat. They fought through adversity. And they overcame major injuries in the ACC quarterfinals. They showed why they are still the top contender.
Injuries in ACC Quarterfinals Test Duke’s Depth as the Blue Devils Overcome Early Struggles to Defeat Georgia Tech and Keep Their Title Hopes Alive
Duke faced a serious challenge. They started slow. So they missed their first 13 three-pointers. They fell behind 26-12. That was their biggest deficit of the season. The energy in the arena shifted. The pressure was mounting. Then, things got worse.
Cooper Flagg, the ACC Player of the Year, went down. He landed awkwardly on an opponent’s foot. He limped to the bench. Frustration took over. He punched a seat. The pain was obvious. Trainers helped him to the locker room. The entire team held its breath.
Maliq Brown also suffered an injury. He hurt his shoulder in the first half. Suddenly, Duke was down two key players. The momentum was slipping. Georgia Tech saw an opportunity. They pushed the lead. But Duke stayed composed. They fought back. They cut the deficit to five at halftime. And they regrouped. They showed resilience.
Do Not Slow Down Duke’s Offense as Knueppel, Evans, and Maluach Step Up to Lead the Blue Devils to Victory
Kon Knueppel put on a show at teh ACC Quarterfinals . He stepped up when the team needed him most. He scored 28 points. Knueppel attacked the defense. He made big shots. He carried the offense.
Isaiah Evans knocked down four three-pointers. He added 14 points. Khaman Maluach dominated the glass. He finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. These three players made the difference. They kept Duke alive. They kept the championship dream intact.
Duke finally found their rhythm. They struggled early, but they adjusted. After missing 13 straight threes, they went 7-of-17 from deep the rest of the game. They spread the floor. And they moved the ball. They executed under pressure.
Tyrese Proctor delivered one of the best moments of the night. He stole a pass, raced down the court, and threw down a massive one-handed dunk. That play changed the game. It gave Duke momentum. It fired up the team. The energy shifted. Duke never looked back.
Injuries in ACC Quarterfinals Raise Concerns for Duke as They Prepare for the Semifinals and Look to Keep Their Championship Run Alive
Duke won, but there are concerns. Flagg did not return to the game. He came back to the bench in the second half, but he did not wear a protective boot. That was a good sign. But his status remains uncertain. The Blue Devils need him. His presence changes everything.
Brown’s shoulder injury also raises questions. Losing two key players at this stage is tough. The ACC semifinals will be a battle. The competition is fierce. Duke needs to be at full strength. Their depth was tested against Georgia Tech. They responded well. But the road ahead will not get any easier.
Georgia Tech did not go down without a fight. Duncan Powell had a strong performance. He led the Yellow Jackets with 24 points. They played tough. They made Duke earn it. But in the end, the Blue Devils proved they could handle adversity.
Do Not Change the Fact That Duke Is Still the Team to Beat as They Look to Capture Another ACC Title
Duke is still the favorite. They have won nine straight games. They are 29-3 on the season. And they have one of the deepest rosters in the country. They have star power. They have experience. Duke have the ability to win under pressure.
The semifinals will be another test. The injuries add a new challenge. But Duke has the talent to overcome it. Knueppel, Evans, and Maluach showed they can step up. The coaching staff knows how to adjust. This team has been through battles. They know what it takes.
March Madness is about moments. It is about resilience. It is about finding ways to win. Duke has all of that. They proved it again in the quarterfinals. Now, they are one step closer to the ACC title. They are ready for the next challenge.
