The Blue Devils left no room for doubt in their 76-47 victory over Pittsburgh, solidifying their place atop the ACC standings. Fueled by revenge, relentless defense, and jaw-dropping highlights, Duke showed why they are the team to beat in the conference.
Cooper Flagg’s Electrifying Dunk Sets the Tone
Cooper Flagg delivered a moment that will be etched in Blue Devils history. Stealing the ball from Jaland Lowe, Flagg raced down the court and posterized Guillermo Diaz Graham with a thunderous dunk that sent the Cameron Indoor crowd into a frenzy.
“I’ve never seen a dunk like that while I’m on the court,” said Khaman Maluach. Tyrese Proctor echoed the sentiment: “That’s the best in-game dunk I’ve ever seen.”
Head coach Jon Scheyer praised Flagg’s impact, noting, “We’ve had a few guys through the years make plays that just spark everybody in the building, and that was one of those moments tonight.”
The Blue Devils’ Relentless Defense Shines
While Flagg’s highlight grabbed attention, the Blue Devils‘ defense stole the show. Duke held Pittsburgh to just 31% shooting, shutting down one of the ACC’s top offenses.
Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles were a far cry from last year’s shocking upset at Cameron Indoor, where Blake Hinson’s sharpshooting led to a rare Panthers win. This time, the Blue Devils ensured there would be no repeat, outscoring their opponents by 29 points.
Balanced Scoring from the Blue Devils
All five starters for the Blue Devils finished in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility. Freshman Kon Knueppel contributed 17 points, hitting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc after early misses.
“It’s funny how that works,” Knueppel said. “Shooting is a fickle thing. Sometimes it goes in, and sometimes it doesn’t. [You] just gotta keep putting them up.”
Knueppel’s efforts extended beyond scoring, as his defense forced Pittsburgh’s guards into difficult shots. Proctor, a junior guard, added a game-high plus-minus of plus-42, cementing his role as a leader for the Blue Devils.
Proctor’s Playmaking Sparks the Offense
Proctor’s performance was pivotal for the Blue Devils. He dished out four first-half assists, setting up Knueppel and others for open looks from deep. Proctor capped off the game with 10 straight points, including a rare five-point play following a flagrant-2 foul on Damian Dunn.
“Me and [Knueppel], we’re both elite 3-point shooters,” Proctor explained. “A lot of teams collapse when we drive, and it’s just about making the right reads and trusting each other.”
Blue Devils Maintain Dominance in the ACC
The Blue Devils have been unstoppable in conference play, outscoring ACC opponents by an average of 23.2 points per game. This margin exceeds their nonconference results, highlighting their ability to dominate the ACC field.
With the ACC experiencing a down year — only five teams are projected to make the NCAA Tournament — the Blue Devils are capitalizing on every opportunity to assert their supremacy.
Challenges Ahead for the Blue Devils
Despite their dominance, the Blue Devils will face challenges in upcoming games. Road contests against Clemson and two matchups against rival North Carolina loom large on the schedule. However, with their deep roster and ability to execute, Duke appears poised to handle these obstacles.
“We’re just trying to keep getting better,” Scheyer said. “The ACC is tough, but if we keep playing our brand of basketball, we’ll be ready for anyone.”
Conclusion: Blue Devils on a Mission
The Blue Devils have shown they are not just contenders but outright favorites in the ACC. With their suffocating defense, balanced scoring, and game-changing plays, Duke is setting the standard for excellence this season.
As the rest of the ACC struggles to keep up, the Blue Devils are making it clear: the road to the conference title runs through Durham.
