Duke’s 76-47 win over Pittsburgh was a testament to the team’s relentless basketball, with Cooper Flagg’s season-high dunk drawing thunderous applause from the crowd. The Blue Devils’ victory marked their fifth consecutive conference game where they’ve outscored opponents by an average of 23.2 points per game.
The team’s depth and talent are evident in their dominant performance. Kon Kneuppel, a freshman, finished with 17 points and shot 4-of-5 from deep in the last 27 minutes of the game. Tyrese Proctor, the longest-tenured starter, played a dynamic game, scoring Duke’s last 10 points and assisting four 3-pointers.
The Blue Devils’ starting five each scored in double figures for the first time since their November victory against Army. The team’s lineup has become an embarrassment of riches, making it difficult for opponents to keep up. With a strong supporting cast, Duke seems to be fighting for national championships rather than just competing.
Head coach Jon Scheyer acknowledged that Pittsburgh’s performance was impressive, but also noted that the Panthers’ ranking was undeserved. “I think it’s crazy they’re not ranked with what they’ve done this season,” he said. The Blue Devils’ victory solidified their position as a top contender in the ACC and set them up for potential success against rival teams like North Carolina and Clemson.
Duke’s impressive performance has raised questions about whether they can maintain this level of dominance throughout the season. With the team’s depth and talent, it’s likely that they will continue to assert their supremacy over the rest of the conference.
Source: https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2025/01/duke-pittsburgh-mens-basketball-game-analysis-acc-dominance-scheyer-flagg-proctor-maluach-james