Duke Survives a Nail-Biter in ACC Quarterfinals
In a thrilling ACC tournament quarterfinal, No. 1 Duke narrowly escaped with an 80-79 victory over Florida State, reminding us that even the top teams can find themselves in tight spots. Missing two key starters, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba, Duke had to dig deep to fend off a late-game buzzer-beater from the Seminoles.
Coach Jon Scheyer, reflecting on the game, emphasized the need for adaptability: “We’re not making excuses. We have to step up with the team we have. Tonight put us in tough positions, and we’ll learn from it.”
With Foster and Ngongba sidelined-both sporting walking boots and knee scooters-the Blue Devils had to adjust. Foster’s broken foot, sustained in the regular-season finale against North Carolina, leaves his return uncertain, possibly extending to the Final Four. Ngongba, dealing with foot soreness, is expected back for the NCAA Tournament, but until then, Duke must navigate without them.
Despite these challenges, Duke's roster remains packed with talent, though it’s clear they’re still ironing out the new lineup dynamics. Senior center Maliq Brown, stepping in for Ngongba, was pivotal with a game-high 12 rebounds, adding key defensive plays. Cayden Boozer, filling in for Foster, delivered a crucial offensive rebound and put-back in the final minute, sealing the win.
“We kept our heads up and weathered the storm,” Scheyer noted, highlighting the team’s resilience during a critical 19-2 run that flipped an 8-point deficit.
However, Duke’s defense-usually a fortress-showed cracks, allowing FSU to shoot over 51% and hit 11 threes. Without their usual defensive anchors, the Seminoles found more offensive freedom. Offensively, Duke struggled with ball control, committing 15 turnovers, echoing their previous matchup with FSU.
Looking ahead, Duke faces the winner of North Carolina and Clemson in the semifinals. While a loss wouldn’t cost them a No. 1 seed, it could impact their overall tournament path.
In the end, while this win was far from pretty, it underscores the grit needed to advance. Duke knows more will be required to achieve their championship aspirations.