Duke continues its quest to win back-to-back ACC Tournaments on Friday night when the Blue Devils take on the Clemson Tigers.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. The game airs on ESPN2.
The winner of the Duke-Clemson game will play No. 2 seed Virginia, which routed third-seeded Miami in the first semifinal, in Saturday’s title game (8:30 p.m., ESPN).
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Duke (30-2) is coming off an 80-79 win over Florida State on Thursday night.
Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans made seven 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 32 points in the win. ACC player of the year
Cameron Boozer added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The matchup between Duke and Clemson promises intense competition. Duke, known for its rich basketball tradition and strong tournament performances, enters the game looking to continue its dominance in the conference. Clemson, on the other hand, has shown resilience and determination throughout the season, proving they can compete with the league’s top teams. Their disciplined defense and balanced scoring have made them a serious threat in the tournament.
For both teams, this semifinal clash represents more than just another game. A victory would mean advancing to the ACC Tournament Championship, where the Virginia Cavaliers await. Virginia’s structured style of play and strong defensive system make them a formidable opponent, adding even more importance to the upcoming contest.
Fans can expect a high-energy game filled with strategic plays, clutch shooting, and intense defensive battles. The winner will not only earn a shot at the ACC title but also gain valuable momentum heading toward the national postseason tournaments.
The Blue Devils have won nine games in a row and had a 19-2 run in the second half after trailing by eight with 13 minutes left. Maliq
Brown had 12 rebounds in the win.
Meanwhile, Clemson held off UNC 80-79 on Thursday night. The Tigers nearly let an 18-point second-half lead slip away.
Senior guard Dillon Hunter had 14 points and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final minute for the Tigers (24-9), who had six
players finish in double figures in scoring.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
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