Article by Dan Tortora
As we reach the final stretch of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament, in a league where the Boston College Eagles have defeated th Virginia Cavaliers and the Florida State Seminoles bested the Miami Hurricanes, we still ended up with the top four seeds advancing to the semifinals here in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The 1st-seeded Miami Hurricanes and 4th-seeded Duke Blue Devils were the first of the two semifinals games of the night, with both teams having split their regular-season series, Duke winning at home, 68-66, and Miami emerging victorious on their home floor, 81-59, most recently.
This match-up opened up with two lead changes and three ties less than five minutes in.
The Blue Devils were ahead by as many as seven at the 13:25 mark, but the Hurricanes would regain the lead less than three minutes later, at the 10:32 mark, after going on a 9-0 run to make it 16-14 Hurricanes.
From that point to the 3:42 mark, there were six lead changes and a tie.
Hurrincanes sophomore guard Bensley Joseph would knock down a three and follow with stealing a pass attempt by Duke freshman center Kyle Filipowski, elevating in transition for two to bring about the Hurricanes 32-31 lead at the aforementioned 3:42 mark.
There were three lead changes and two ties that would follow.
Duke went on a 10-4 run to end the first half, leading 41-36 at the break.
Fifth-year senior guard Jordan Miller would lead all Hurricanes in the first half with nine points, followed by fellow starter, fourth-year junior guard Isaiah Wong, and Joseph off the bench, each with eight.
Starting freshman guard Tyrese Proctor and freshman forward Dariq Whitehead, who came off the bench, led the Blue Devils with eight points apiece in the opening half.
Miami would be within two possessions of Duke from the 18:43 mark until 31 seconds remaining, but never closed the gap.
Duke had an answer for every Miami push, en route to an 85-78 win, which is why you will see them the ACC Tournament Championship this Saturday, March 11th, at 8:30pmET.
The Blue Devils will now have an opportunity to take home their 22nd ACC Tournament title all-time.
They won their first in 1960, followed by championships in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1978, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017, and 2019.