The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils demonstrated why they are the country’s top-ranked team during the ACC tournament this week. After losing in their first game against Georgia Tech on Wednesday, they lost freshman wonder and leader Cooper Flagg to an ankle sprain and Maliq Brown to a shoulder injury.
Both players were out for the rest of the tournament, which included the second half of the Georgia Tech game, a match against rival North Carolina, and, ultimately, the title game on Saturday night against a hot Louisville club.
Despite these losses, the Blue Devils banded together, with others stepping up when needed the most. They defeated all three opponents, becoming the first ACC team since 2018 to win the regular-season conference title and the tournament crown in the same season.
Fellow rookie sensation Kon Knueppel, who has remained under the radar all season, made a huge contribution to the team’s triumph. However, Knueppel received the accolades he deserved when Duke and the ACC voted him tournament MVP for his outstanding play in the championship game versus Louisville.
Kon Knueppel had an excellent tournament, averaging 21.0 points on 18-for-37 shooting, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. In the title game against Louisville, he had 18 points, eight rebounds, and three assists to help the Blue Devils win 73-62.
This result is hardly surprising given that Knueppel has been one of the finest players in the ACC this season for the 31-win Blue Devils. On the season, he averages 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.1% from the field, 40.2% from three, and 90.9% from the free throw line.
As the emphasis switches to the NCAA Tournament, Duke will await the announcement of their opponent during Sunday’s Selection Show. Cooper Flagg is expected to be ready for the first-round encounter, which is scheduled for Thursday or Friday.
