During this week’s ACC Tournament, the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils demonstrated why they are the nation’s top-ranked team. Following a deficit in their opening game against Georgia Tech on Wednesday, the Blue Devils lost Maliq Brown to a shoulder injury and rookie wonder Cooper Flagg to an ankle sprain.
For the rest of the competition, both players were out. The second half of the Georgia Tech game, a game against rival North Carolina, and Saturday night’s championship game against a scorching Louisville squad were all included in that timeframe.
The Blue Devils persevered as other players filled in when necessary in spite of these setbacks. They defeated all three opponents, making them the first ACC club to win the tournament championship and the regular-season conference crown in the same season since 2018.
Freshman Kon Knueppel, who has been quiet all season, made a big contribution to the team’s victory. Knueppel’s outstanding effort in the championship game versus Louisville won him the honor he deserved as the ACC awarded him the tournament MVP.
Throughout the tournament, Knueppel averaged 21.0 points on 18-for-37 field goals, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. He finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in the final game against Louisville, helping the Blue Devils win 73-62.
There should have been no surprise in this performance. For the 31-win Blue Devils this season, Knueppel has been among the top performers in the ACC. In addition to shooting 47.2% from the field, 40.2% from the 3-point line, and 90.9% from the free-throw line, he is averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals.
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