With Cooper Flagg ailing, UNC seeks upset of No. 1 Duke

North Carolina Faces Pivotal Matchup Against Duke in ACC Semifinals

Friday night’s ACC Tournament semifinal could be a defining moment for North Carolina (22-12), but the spotlight will likely shine brighter on top-ranked Duke (23-9) and the uncertain status of Cooper Flagg.

Flagg’s Injury Looms Over Duke’s Title Hopes

Duke’s ACC Player of the Year, Flagg, suffered a left ankle sprain in the Blue Devils’ 78-70 quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech on Thursday. He landed awkwardly on an opponent’s foot in the first half, leaving the game with just two points, a season-low.

His availability against North Carolina remains highly uncertain.

"I would have to be really convinced that we should even consider seeing if he can go," Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. "He probably won’t be able to go anyway. It’s a real long shot."

Despite Flagg’s absence, Duke showed resilience, rallying from a 14-point deficit to secure the win.

"I think it just shows that we're a real team," Duke guard Isaiah Evans said. "It's not about one person or two people. Duke is going to handle business all the time."

Tar Heels Eye NCAA Tournament Berth

For fifth-seeded North Carolina, this game is about more than just bragging rights. After back-to-back wins, including a 68-59 victory over No. 4 Wake Forest, a win against Duke could be the final push needed to lock in an NCAA Tournament at-large bid.

"Playing Duke is an opportunity to play against the No. 1 team in the country," North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said. "Obviously, they're playing extremely well."

Duke already swept the Tar Heels in the regular season, including an 82-69 road victory last Saturday after trailing in the second half.

North Carolina will rely heavily on senior guard RJ Davis, the 2023 ACC Player of the Year, who scored 23 points in the win over Wake Forest.

With a potential championship appearance—and an NCAA Tournament spot—on the line, the Tar Heels are looking for their biggest win of the season.