Duke has consistently disrupted North Carolina’s season, making the storied Tobacco Road rivalry feel one-sided this year. Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils have held the clear advantage over the Tar Heels, and their latest victory in the ACC Tournament semifinal only reinforced that dominance. With a 74-71 win, Duke not only secured another triumph over their rivals but also crushed UNC’s hopes of making the NCAA Tournament, pushing them out of Joe Lunardi’s projected field of 68 teams. However, the win was far from perfect and raised concerns about Duke’s vulnerabilities heading into March Madness.
Duke’s Performance Raises Concerns
Despite controlling the first half and building a 21-point lead, Duke nearly let the game slip away. Without their standout player, the Blue Devils lacked the explosiveness and consistency expected from a championship-caliber team. While their collective effort got the job done, the absence of a true point guard became glaringly obvious, particularly against UNC’s second-half defensive adjustments.
During an episode of The Field of 68: After Dark, analysts discussed Duke’s struggles in depth. One commentator noted that this was the first time all season he genuinely questioned the team’s ability to compete at the highest level without a traditional floor general. The main issue was UNC’s backcourt, which featured Seth Trimble, RJ Davis, and Drake Powell. Their defensive pressure severely limited Duke’s offensive rhythm, making it difficult for the Blue Devils to execute their usual game plan.
The problem wasn’t just about individual matchups—it was about Duke’s entire system. The on-ball pressure from UNC exposed Duke’s lack of a stabilizing playmaker, something that could become a serious weakness as they advance deeper into the tournament. With Selection Sunday approaching, rival teams are likely taking note of these flaws, searching for ways to exploit them when facing Duke in March Madness.
The Role of Cooper Flagg
Duke’s struggles were amplified by the absence of Cooper Flagg, their highly touted freshman star. A minor injury kept him out of the game, and even though medical scans revealed no serious damage, his presence was clearly missed. Flagg’s ability to control the paint and create opportunities for his teammates has been a crucial part of Duke’s success this season.
During the same Field of 68 discussion, another analyst posed an important question: “Is there a point guard on Duke’s roster?” One response suggested that, while not a traditional point guard, Flagg functions as a “point forward.” His vision and passing ability allow him to facilitate the offense in a way that no other player on the team can.
Flagg has been Duke’s leader in assists, averaging over four per game. His presence forces defenders to collapse inside, opening up perimeter shooters and creating better scoring chances for the team. Without him, Duke struggled to maintain offensive fluidity, which could be a major issue if his injury lingers into the NCAA Tournament.
Managing Flagg’s Recovery
Duke’s medical staff has indicated that Flagg’s injury isn’t severe, but he may have to deal with some swelling. This presents a challenge for the Blue Devils, as they will need to carefully balance his playing time while ensuring he is fit for the later rounds of the tournament.
Looking ahead, Duke’s success in March Madness could hinge on two key factors: their ability to compensate for the lack of a true point guard and how quickly Flagg can return to full strength. If they can find a way to handle defensive pressure more effectively and integrate Flagg back into the lineup, they will remain a formidable contender. However, if these issues persist, their tournament run could be cut short sooner than expected.