What. A. Game.
If you didn’t catch the ACC Championship, you missed out big time. The crowd in Greensboro, NC was on fire from the tip-off for the match up between #6 Virginia Cavaliers vs the #7 Duke Blue Devils. Virginia struggled from the free throw line but they picked up a 72-63 win for the schools first ACC Title in 38 years.
This game went back and forth as Duke (26-8, 13-5 ACC) challenged Virginia (28-6, 16-2) for the lead throughout the second half but their rally wasn’t strong enough. A potential #1 seed was on the line for both teams and Virginia may have proved to the selection committee that they are worthy by winning both the ACC regular season crown and the conference championship.
The season for this Virginia team has been up and down, but they finished the season strong which is what college basketball is all about. After questionable losses to Green Bay and Tennessee in December, Virginia kicked it into high gear once the ACC regular season got started in January. After a tough four point loss at Duke in early January, the Cavaliers went on a 13 game winning streak and finished on top in the ACC.
This game was no different as Virginia played their style of basketball. Their defense and control of the pace of the game on both ends prevailed against a high scoring Duke squad. Sophomore Malcolm Brogdon led the Cavaliers with 23 points, and senior Joe Harris added 15 points for Virginia.
For Duke, this loss will have major tournament implications. The difference between a #1 seed and a #2 seed are key, and one bad match up in the NCAA Tournament can be the difference between a Final Four run and an early exit. Freshman sensation Jabari Parker finished the game with 23 points and eight rebounds.
This victory is huge for the University of Virginia as this is their first ACC Championship since 1976. This game also marks the first time the state of North Carolina has gone three straight seasons without winning an ACC title (FSU 2012, Miami 2013). NCAA Tournament seeding will depend on how the Big 10 and SEC Championship games conclude, but Virginia should pick up a #1 seed and Duke will likely be selected as a #2 seed.
-Patrick Hazel (@pattywack25)
