Duke basketball clinched its second ACC regular-season championship in four seasons with a convincing 93-60 win over Wake Forest on Monday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Behind Cooper Flagg’s 28 points, the Blue Devils extended their unbeaten streak to seven games and improved to 27-3 overall. The victory also marked Duke’s 17th consecutive home game without a loss, cementing its perfect record at Cameron Indoor this season.
Flagg’s performance was instrumental in securing the win, as he scored 18 of his points in the second half and grabbed eight rebounds. His play helped turn the game into an one-sided affair, as Wake Forest struggled to gain momentum after trailing by 16 points early on.
The Blue Devils’ success can be attributed to several factors, including the return of guard Tyrese Proctor, who had been sidelined with a knee injury but returned to action against Wake Forest. Additionally, Duke’s dominance on the glass was key, as they outrebounded their opponents 46-32 and logged 22 second-chance points.
With only one regular-season game remaining, Duke is well-positioned to secure the top seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament. The Blue Devils can lock up the No. 1 seed if they beat North Carolina or if Clemson loses either of its final two regular-season games.
Here are three takeaways from Duke’s win:
1. Proctor’s Return: Tyrese Proctor returned to the starting lineup against Wake Forest, playing 24 minutes and scoring 12 points.
2. Offensive Rebounds Make the Difference: Duke’s dominance on the glass was key, as they outrebounded their opponents 46-32 and logged 22 second-chance points.
3. Flagg’s Farewell Performance: Cooper Flagg left a lasting impression in his final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium before entering the NBA Draft this summer.
Source: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article301275299.html