Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels Picks and Predictions March 14th 2025

North Carolina Aims for Upset as Duke Faces Uncertainty Over Cooper Flagg

The stakes couldn’t be higher as North Carolina faces off against top-ranked Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday night. For the Tar Heels (22-12), this game could define their season, offering a chance to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.

But the biggest storyline isn’t North Carolina’s postseason hopes—it’s the health of Duke’s superstar, Cooper Flagg.

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Cooper Flagg’s Injury Looms Large

Flagg, the ACC Player of the Year and one of the most highly regarded prospects in college basketball, suffered a left ankle sprain during Duke’s 78-70 quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech on Thursday. The injury occurred in the first half when Flagg landed on an opponent’s foot, forcing him out of the game after scoring just two points—his lowest total of the season.

Now, his status for the semifinal against North Carolina is uncertain at best.

“I would have to be really convinced that we should even consider seeing if he can go,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said. “He may not be able to go anyway. He probably won’t be able to go anyway. But I think it’s a real long shot.”

Despite Flagg’s absence, Duke (23-9) showed resilience, rallying from a 14-point deficit against Georgia Tech. The performance demonstrated the Blue Devils’ depth and team-first mentality.

“I think it just shows that we’re a real team,” Duke guard Isaiah Evans said. “It’s not really about one person or two people. It’s about Duke. Duke is going to handle business all the time.”

North Carolina’s High-Stakes Opportunity

For fifth-seeded North Carolina, this matchup is about more than just rivalry bragging rights. A win over Duke would not only put the Tar Heels in the ACC Tournament final but could also secure them an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“Playing Duke is an opportunity to play against the No. 1 team in the country,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said. “Obviously, they’re playing extremely well.”

The Tar Heels are coming off a gritty 68-59 quarterfinal victory over fourth-seeded Wake Forest, their second win in as many days. Senior guard RJ Davis led the way with 23 points, continuing his strong late-season play.

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RJ Davis Leads the Charge

A year ago, RJ Davis was named ACC Player of the Year. Now, he is playing with the urgency of a senior trying to extend his collegiate career.

“There is urgency because he has no more eligibility left,” Hubert Davis said. “But there’s also a sense of calmness and steadiness that this team has needed all year long, especially in situations like late-game moments.”

Davis has been a key offensive force, scoring 20 or more points in four of North Carolina’s last eight games. If the Tar Heels are going to upset Duke, they will need another standout performance from him.

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Who Steps Up for Duke?

With Flagg unlikely to play and reserve forward Maliq Brown also sidelined after aggravating a shoulder injury, Duke will look for other players to step up.

Freshman Kon Knueppel answered the call against Georgia Tech, dropping a season-high 28 points to help Duke overcome Flagg’s absence.

“For Kon, he plays at a great pace,” Scheyer said. “He has great size, which allows him to score over the top or pass.”

Knueppel, along with Evans and Duke’s deep rotation, will be crucial if the Blue Devils want to take down their archrival without their star player.

A Historic Rivalry, A New Chapter

This will be the first time since Hubert Davis and Jon Scheyer took over as head coaches that Duke and North Carolina will face off in the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels have a strong track record in Charlotte, boasting a 24-8 record in ACC Tournament games played in the city.

With a trip to the championship game on the line, a shorthanded Duke team will try to prove they can win without Flagg, while North Carolina sees a chance to shake up the NCAA Tournament picture with a statement victory.

Expect nothing less than another thrilling chapter in this legendary rivalry.