In a thrilling ACC Tournament semifinal, No. 1 Duke narrowly defeated rival North Carolina 74-71, advancing to the championship game. The match was marked by a heartbreaking lane violation that nullified a potential game-tying free throw for the Tar Heels in the final moments. Despite a furious comeback from UNC, which saw them rally from a 23-point deficit, the Blue Devils held on to secure the win without star freshman Cooper Flagg. The defeat has raised questions for UNC as they face uncertainty regarding their NCAA tournament prospects, with head coach Hubert Davis acknowledging the significance of the loss. The intense rivalry matchup drew significant viewership, underlining the historic rivalry between the two programs.