Duke clinched its second consecutive ACC tournament championship Saturday night, overcoming No. 10 Virginia 74-70 in Charlotte, North Carolina, just weeks after toppling top-ranked Michigan in a high-stakes regular-season showdown.
Blue Devils Secure ACC Crown
The No. 1-ranked Blue Devils navigated a tough ACC tournament run without key contributors Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II. Their championship victory against Virginia proved a test of resilience, particularly for star forward Cameron Boozer.
Boozer, a leading candidate for the Wooden Award as college basketball's best player, struggled from the field, hitting just 3-of-17 shots. Still, he found other ways to impact the game, tallying 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. He sealed the win with two crucial free throws in the final seconds.
Virginia's 7-foot center, Ugonna Onyenso, became Boozer's kryptonite for the night, blocking nine shots, more than half of them against Boozer. Onyenso's 21 blocks across the three-game tournament set a new ACC tournament record, surpassing Tim Duncan's previous mark of 14.
Despite the frustration, Boozer remained composed. “I did get frustrated,” Boozer admitted. “But I just had to keep attacking and find ways to win.”
Cayden Boozer Steps Up
Cameron Boozer's twin brother, Cayden Boozer, emerged as a pivotal force in the ACC final. He poured in 12 points in the game's first 11 minutes, sparking Duke early and finishing with 16 points. Cayden also grabbed Duke's 20th offensive rebound of the game, helping secure the victory.
“In the beginning of the game, they weren’t guarding me, and I kept scoring,” Cayden Boozer said. “Once I get confident, I feel like no one can really stop me.”
His performance was a fitting culmination for Duke's championship run, especially after a shaky first half against Florida State earlier in the tournament. The Blue Devils, who entered the week with questions about their depth due to injuries, answered them decisively, positioning themselves as a presumptive top seed for the NCAA tournament.
Dominant Win Over Top-Ranked Michigan
The ACC title came on the heels of another significant victory for Duke just weeks earlier. On Saturday, February 21, the No. 3 Blue Devils traveled to Washington’s Capital One Arena and defeated then-No. 1 Michigan 68-63 in a highly anticipated matchup that many saw as a Final Four preview.
In that game, Cameron Boozer delivered a performance that cemented his status as the most impactful player in college basketball. He led Duke in points with 18, rebounds with 10, and assists with seven against the top-ranked Wolverines. His singular talent tilted the scale in Duke’s favor, ensuring the Blue Devils came away with the win.
“This guy,” Coach Jon Scheyer said postgame, gesturing to Boozer, “he’s doing everything.”
The Michigan game marked Boozer’s 15th performance of the season with at least 15 points and 10 rebounds, the most of any high-major player in the nation. His consistent excellence has seen him etch his name into Duke’s record books, surpassing many of college basketball's best-ever first-year players.
National Championship Contenders
Duke’s victory over Michigan was a statement. ESPN analysts Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf both ranked Duke as the No. 1 team in the nation immediately following that win. Borzello noted that Duke proved it could beat an elite team without relying solely on explosive offense, highlighting their ability to close out against high-level opponents.
Medcalf emphasized Duke's clutch plays down the stretch and Cameron Boozer's leadership as the best player in the country. Before the Michigan game, Duke had only two losses all season: a one-point defeat to Texas Tech and a three-point loss to North Carolina, both games where they had held significant leads.
The Blue Devils’ ability to win tight games, coupled with Cameron Boozer’s consistent brilliance and the emergence of players like Cayden Boozer, has solidified their standing. They are now widely viewed as a formidable contender for the national championship, carrying significant momentum into the NCAA tournament.
The recent triumphs, particularly the ACC tournament championship and the upset over Michigan, underscore Duke's depth and resilience, making them a team to watch as March Madness approaches.
