On March 3, 2025, the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils showcased their dominance over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, clinching the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season title with an emphatic 93-60 victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This marked possibly the last home game for freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who dazzled with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, all the more reason for the Cameron Crazies to chant, "One more year! One more year!" as he left the court.
Duke (27-3, 18-1 ACC) has now secured at least a share of the ACC regular-season title, entering their final matchup against North Carolina with momentum from this latest win. The Blue Devils established control early, leading by 13 at halftime and exploding offensively to score 53 points after the break.
Flagg shot 10 of 16 from the field, not only demonstrating his scoring prowess but also contributing valuable defensive plays with three blocks and two steals. His strong performance followed closely by fellow rookie Kon Knueppel, who added 17 points, as Tyrese Proctor returned to the lineup after recovering from a knee injury, scoring 12 points. Sion James and Mason Gillis chipped in 11 points each for the Blue Devils, who have now completed their home games with an unbeaten record of 17-0 this season.
Wake Forest (20-10, 12-7 ACC), trying to secure their place in the NCAA Tournament, was plagued by ineffective shooting and ball control, committing 15 turnovers throughout the game. Efton Reid III and Ty-Laur Johnson were the shining stars for the Demon Deacons, finishing with 14 points each, but overall, Wake Forest struggled to find their rhythm against Duke's swift offensive onslaught.
Analyzing Duke's game, it was evident they thrived on teamwork and precise execution; the Blue Devils concluded with 19 assists compared to Wake Forest's meager seven. They shot 53.8 percent from the floor after halftime, significantly eleving their scoring with several successful three-pointers, totaling 14 for the game. The turning point came with Duke leading 47-38 before they embarked on an 18-3 run, highlighted by Sion James’ three-pointer followed by consecutive shots from Mason Gillis.
For Wake Forest, this loss reflects their recent struggles with the team now having lost four of their last six games, leaving them with slim chances of making the NCAA Tournament. They entered this matchup needing Quadrant 1 wins to solidify their postseason resume but instead faced chants of “NIT! NIT!” from the home crowd.
Wake Forest's inability to maintain consistency, particularly on the offense, was evident when their primary scorer Hunter Sallis managed only nine points, and Cameron Hildreth had zero points on just three attempts. Their troubles were compounded by Duke's aggressive defense and persistent pressure, forcing the Deacs to abandon their offensive strategy more than once.
Mistakes and missed opportunities stung Wake Forest as they failed to capitalize on early scoring chances, leading to more pressure and allowing Duke to extend their lead. Within the first five minutes of the second half, Flagg scored 10 points, cementing Duke's advantage and effectively ending any hopes for the Demon Deacons to stage a comeback.
This defeat places Wake Forest at sixth in the ACC rankings—below SMU and UNC—and they now have to navigate their remaining games carefully as their NCAA Tournament hopes hang by a thread. They must defeat Georgia Tech at home and hope other results go their way to avoid elimination from the premier postseason competition.
On the other hand, with the Blue Devils solidifying their standing as one of the top squads, they are poised for NCAA success as they head to their regular-season finale against arch-rival North Carolina. This game promises to be yet another spectacle, contributing to the storied rivalry and emphasizing Duke's strong campaign this season.
Looking back, this game encapsulated the essence of Duke's basketball—momentum, talent, teamwork, and the unwavering support of their home crowd. It served as both a farewell and celebration for Flagg, who stands not only as potential NBA talent but also as the centerpiece of this year's successful campaign. The Blue Devils are now eying not just conference accolades but also national aspirations, fueled by the electrifying performances seen throughout the season.