#1 UVA vs. #3 Duke

This matchup was a tantalizing one. The Blue Devils staved off a game Cavalier attack earlier on in the season, but it was in the cozy confines of Cameron Indoor. This time, the venue was Greensboro Coliseum with an ACC title and a potential one seed in the NCAA Tournament on the line.

Additionally, a win would give Virginia its first ACC Tournament championship since 1976. That’s a really, really long time ago. As for Duke, a victory would mean a 20th championship. Ho hum.

But man. The atmosphere was electric. The Cavalier fans came out in force. It was impressive. And they had a lot to get excited about early. Malcolm Brogdon was connecting early and the Cavaliers jumped out to a 9-2 lead. The Cavalier defense was a treat to watch.

The Blue Devils started to settle in a bit, but SHOCKINGLY, with 11:57 to play in the first half, Duke had yet to attempt a three-pointer. Something is just flat out wrong with that statement, but it’s truth.

But Duke’s defense had arrived. They held Virginia without a field goal for eight minutes. Granted, UVA couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean from the beach, to steal a Roy Williams saying.

Coach K was called for a technical foul that rallied the crowd into a frenzy. K was pleading his case to the refs, unsure why he received the foul.

At the half, it was Virginia holding the 28-25 advantage over Duke. The Blue Devils were shooting 30 percent from the floor while the Cavaliers were firing at 35 percent as a team.

Brogdon was leading the scoring charge for UVA with nine points. Jabari Parker scored a team-leading eight points for Duke.

The second half was underway and with it, more monstrous defensive plays by Akill Mitchell. The guy is an absolute terror to try to shoot around.

Another thing I noticed was that Duke was going to the rim A LOT more in the second half. The aggression was certainly paying off. The Blue Devils tied the game with 12 minutes to play in the contest.

And the Duke team started to turn into a one-man band. The ‘Jabari Show’ had taken over. The man is a beast – tomahawk jams and athletic steals and blocks. And if this was to be the freshman’s final ACC game, wow, he put on a display to remember.

One of the troubling aspects of the game for the Cavaliers was at the free throw line. Virginia had already missed 11 foul shots at the 5:49 mark to go.

But all in all, it was a TEAM effort from the Cavaliers. And it carried them to the finish line and the championship trophy to the delight of the Wahoos in attendance. Now, that’s both an ACC regular season and tournament title for UVA. Think they’re deserving of a NCAA one seed now? Respect.

FINAL: UVA 72 – Duke 63

Related Stories
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Linchpin Years
ACC Tournament, Episode 3, is all about Dean Smith’s maiden years. The third and fourth installments of the ACC Tournament documentary aired this week on the ACC Network, and Carolina fans have to love the beginning of Smith’s 36-year career as head coach of the Tar Heels. It goes from some students hanging him in […]
Tar Heels Clip Cardinals, Advance To ACC Semis
The No. 5 seed North Carolina men's basketball team overcame a five-point first half deficit to defeat the No. 4 seed Louisville Cardinals, 70-60, Thursday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Oakes' Outlook: Greensboro Games
It's that time of the year. A return to Tournament Town. My drive down I-40 was met with springtime sunshine filtering through a thin layer of sunshine.
ACC Tourney: Friday Fun (pt. II)
A little late, but here are my Friday observations late in the evening from the tourney.
ACC Tourney: Friday Fun (pt. I)
UVA vs #9 FSU First of all, I sit down for my seats for this thrilling quarterfinal Friday and what do I see? Yes. You guessed it. The FSU cheerleaders are conveniently located just to my right. Too much. SO excuse me if my game reactions are a bit off. I blame them. Joe […]
UNC Men's Basketball Fizzles in ACC Tournament, Raising Coaching Staff Questions – Mar. 13, 2026
The Hill's Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell chat on Friday, Mar. 13 following UNC men's basketball's 80-79 loss in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night.
Chansky's Notebook: One-and-Done in Charlotte
UNC men's basketball went one-and-done at the ACC’s crown-jewel event this year, bucking program history and raising postseason questions.
Clemson Outlasts UNC Men's Basketball in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals
No. 5 seed Clemson made No. 4 UNC’s stay in Charlotte a short one, beating the Tar Heels 80-79 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night. The Tigers were playing their second game in two days, while the game was Carolina’s first at the tournament. UNC led by six points early at 14-8, but Clemson […]
UNC Men's Basketball in the 2026 ACC Tournament: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Times
The 2026 ACC Tournament will take place in Charlotte this week. UNC received a double bye into Thursday’s quarterfinal round as the No. 4 seed in the field. The Tar Heels are seeking their first tournament title since 2016. If you aren’t following the team to Charlotte, here’s how you can follow along at home: […]
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Women Up to No. 15, Men Down to No. 19
Both the UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams made moves in the most recent AP Polls, which were released Monday. The women’s team moved up one spot to No. 15, while the men’s team slipped two spots to No. 19. On the men’s side, the Tar Heels dropped after splitting their final two games of […]
›