By Adam Lucas
Duke just pulled off a thrilling win against Carolina in the ACC Tournament, edging them out 74-71. This makes Duke the first team to beat Carolina three times in one season since 2001-02.
That game was wild. Carolina was down by 18 points with just over eight minutes left but managed to fight their way back. They even had the chance to take the lead with 4.8 seconds to go, but Ven-Allen Lubin missed a crucial free throw, only to have his second free throw wiped away by a lane violation from Jae’Lyn Withers. It’s tough for Carolina fans since this moment will be remembered as the “lane violation game,” when it almost became one of their best comebacks ever.
The Tar Heels showed amazing grit in the final minutes. They scored on nearly every possession during their comeback and held Duke to just a few shots. Carolina got to the free-throw line 14 times during this stretch, which helped, as they struggled from beyond the arc—going 3-for-17. All three three-pointers were made by Elliot Cadeau, while his teammates went 0-for-14.
Duke played smart ball, taking time off the clock whenever possible. They knew how to manage their possessions, running plays down to the wire, leaving Carolina with less time to execute their own plays. This kind of strategy can really change the momentum of a game, making each second feel more critical.
Lubin and Cadeau stood out for the Tar Heels. Lubin hit 8 of 11 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds, marking his fourth double-double in five games, joining a prestigious group in Tar Heel history. Cadeau added 15 points and five assists, demonstrating his impact on the game despite the loss. Seth Trimble also played well, hitting crucial free throws down the line.
However, foul trouble hit the Tar Heels hard. Cadeau picked up two quick fouls in the first few minutes, forcing Carolina to rely heavily on RJ Davis, who ended up logging all 20 minutes in the first half. This fatigue might have contributed to the Heels’ overall struggle, as they could only manage a 35.7% shooting rate in the first half.
Duke dominated early, leading 45-24 at halftime. Carolina’s shooting was dismal, making just one of ten three-pointers in the first half, which limited their scoring opportunities.
Interestingly, Duke’s strong rebounding (34-31) contributed to Carolina’s fifth loss this season when being out-rebounded.
Despite the tough loss, there’s a mix of frustration and hope among Carolina supporters. This game has many feeling both let down by the earlier mistakes and encouraged about the team’s resilience to almost pull off a comeback. With opportunities left in the tournament, fans hold on to the belief that Carolina still has a chance to shine.
As we look forward, it’s essential to recognize that Carolina still appears to be positioned for the NCAA Tournament. Whether they can learn from this game remains to be seen. Fans are eager to see how they adapt and grow as the tournament progresses.
You can find more detailed statistics and analysis from sources like ESPN or the NCAA’s official site, which frequently illustrate team performances throughout the season.
Let’s see how the next chapters unfold!
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