Duke and Miami Set for a Tuesday Night Showdown

It’s a classic ACC matchup on Tuesday night as No. 3 Duke takes on Miami in Durham, North Carolina. Duke is on fire with a 10-game winning streak, while Miami is in desperate need of a spark to turn their season around.

Duke Blue Devils: Riding High

Duke (14-2, 6-0 ACC) is sitting pretty at the top of the conference standings, and for good reason. They’re coming off a thrilling 86-78 win over Notre Dame on Saturday, led by freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who dropped a jaw-dropping 42 points—a record for an ACC freshman.

Flagg’s performance wasn’t just about the numbers. “The will throughout, he just willed us,” said Duke coach Jon Scheyer. “The fact that it translated to 42 is great, but it was his competitiveness and timing of key plays that stood out.”

Flagg isn’t the only one stepping up. Freshman Kon Knueppel has been on a roll, hitting multiple 3-pointers in five straight games. With contributions from across the roster, Duke is showing why they’re one of the top teams in the country.

The one downside? Duke will be missing defensive standout Maliq Brown, who’s out for a few weeks with a knee injury. “Maliq changes everything on the court for us,” said guard Sion James. “We want to get him back as soon as possible.”

Miami Hurricanes: Fighting for a Breakthrough

It’s been a tough season for Miami (4-12, 0-5 ACC), and their five-game losing streak has only added to the frustration. Their latest loss, an 88-78 defeat against Wake Forest, saw another strong performance from Matthew Cleveland, who scored 22 points. Cleveland has been Miami’s go-to guy, scoring in double figures for six straight games.

The Hurricanes have been experimenting with new strategies to snap out of their slump. Interim coach Bill Courtney remains hopeful: “We’re not going to quit trying different things. Eventually, something is going to work.”

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One of those adjustments has been using Austin Swartz as a point guard, even though it’s not his natural position. Swartz has stepped up to the challenge, logging significant minutes and doing his best to keep the offense running.

What to Expect

This game looks like a mismatch on paper, with Duke rolling and Miami struggling, but anything can happen in the ACC. Duke will look to keep the momentum going behind Flagg’s all-around brilliance and their deep bench, while Miami will lean on Cleveland’s consistency and a “never quit” attitude.

For Duke, it’s about staying sharp and solidifying their lead in the ACC. For Miami, it’s a chance to regroup, test their adjustments, and maybe pull off a huge upset.

No matter the outcome, expect plenty of energy and intensity in Durham. Can Flagg and the Blue Devils stay hot, or will Miami finally find their groove?