In a commanding performance, the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils secured their spot in the ACC Tournament final with a decisive 73-61 victory over Clemson. The atmosphere was electric at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a crowd of 17,711 witnessing Duke's dominance.
By halftime, the game was essentially decided, with Duke leading 41-22. The Blue Devils showcased their prowess by shooting 46% from the field, overshadowing Clemson's 33%. They also controlled the boards, out-rebounding Clemson 41-27, and were more efficient with the ball, winning the turnover battle 11-6.
The Boozer brothers were at the heart of Duke's success. Cameron Boozer delivered an outstanding performance, racking up 24 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. Not to be outdone, Cayden Boozer contributed 16 points, along with three rebounds and an assist.
Duke's head coach, Jon Scheyer, had high praise for Cayden, especially after his strong showing against Clemson. Scheyer emphasized the team's belief in the freshman's abilities as they prepared to face No. 10 Virginia.
"I just want to tell him how much I believe in him," Scheyer shared. "Handling new challenges as a freshman isn't easy. His mental toughness is innate, and that's invaluable."
Cayden had a quieter night against Florida State, scoring nine points with three rebounds and an assist in Duke's narrow 80-79 win in the quarterfinals. However, Scheyer was impressed with Cayden's aggressive approach against Clemson.
"Just talked to him today," Scheyer noted. "He's always been a big-time player.
Florida State had a unique strategy, but he adapted. His assertiveness today was exactly what we needed."
Cameron Boozer had previously shone in Duke's 77-51 win over Virginia on February 28, with 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Cayden added six points and an assist off the bench in that game, showing his potential to impact the game in various ways.
With the Boozer brothers leading the charge, Duke looks poised and ready for their next challenge against Virginia.