Duke Would possibly Have Proved Extra in 3 Days Than within the 4 Months Prior

Duke may have proved extra within the Atlantic Coast Convention event throughout 3 days than within the 4 months prior.

In order that’s pronouncing one thing lovely just right for the rustic’s No. 1 workforce.

The loss of life of the Blue Devils didn’t happen in Charlotte, the place they minimize down the nets after pushing their ACC event championship general to a report 23.

In abstract, it will cross down as “no Cooper Flagg, no worries” for Duke.

The Blue Devils will cross into the NCAA Event on an 11-game profitable streak and as one of the crucial favorites to win all of it.

Flagg’s sprained ankle ruled the dialog in regards to the Blue Devils. By means of all accounts, the freshman standout will probably be able to move within the subsequent event — and that’s all that looked as if it would topic when it was once decided he would take a seat out the final two days of the ACC tournament.

It’s no longer so simple as pronouncing the Blue Devils didn’t pass over a beat. They may have used Flagg’s scoring, passing and rebounding, unquestionably.

They ended up bolstering their inventory as a result of they gained with out him.

“We didn’t want any Superman performances or the rest like that,” freshman guard Kon Knueppel stated. “Everyone simply stepped up and added to the workforce.”

The 73-62 consequence within the ACC event ultimate in opposition to Louisville gave the Blue Devils any other double-figure victory — one thing that changed into the norm with regular-season blowouts. Their first two wins in Charlotte got here via 8 and 3 issues.

The Blue Devils confirmed lots in profitable with out Flagg at the courtroom, although their intensity may were uncovered to a point. They used 3 reserves sooner than a last-minute courtesy substitution within the Louisville sport.

The Louisville sport was once notable in that it marked the primary time since early December that Duke performed a ranked workforce. And whilst Clemson ended up No. 10 on the finish of the steady season, Duke misplaced to the Tigers in early February.

So, till clipping the Cardinals on Saturday evening, the Blue Devils’ final victory in opposition to a ranked opponent got here greater than 3 months in the past.

After all, nobody could be stunned to be informed {that a} Duke freshman was once the event’s Most worthy participant. It’s Knueppel who holds that difference.

Alongside the best way, it changed into transparent — if there weren’t already heavy hints all over the season — that Knueppel would were a marquee participant all over the season if he weren’t enjoying in Flagg’s shadow.

Knueppel averages 14.2 issues according to sport. He has exceeded that quantity within the final 5 video games.

The Blue Devils claimed the highest ACC prize, but it surely hasn’t come with out nervousness. Be mindful, in the event that they hadn’t overwhelmed North Carolina in Chapel Hill to conclude the steady season, they’d have long past to Charlotte with the No. 3 seed for the event.

And counting the final sport of the steady season, Duke has trailed in the second one halves of 3 of its final 4 video games.

The exception was once the ACC semifinal in opposition to North Carolina, when a lane violation at the Tar Heels within the waning seconds negated a tying loose throw. So, the Blue Devils have been by no means in the back of after halftime in that one — and it grew to become out to be the sport that may were maximum in jeopardy within the overdue levels.

However they handled that drama, the Flagg fallout and with reference to the whole thing else they’ve encountered this season.

“It says so much about our workforce and our toughness and says so much about different guys stepping up in large moments,” freshman middle Khaman Maluach stated.

Now what issues is how the Blue Devils maintain the massive level that’s nonetheless forward of them.