Duke Blue Devils Repeat as ACC Tournament Champions with Thrilling 74-70 Victory Over Virginia
By Sports Desk | March 14, 2026
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a nail-biting championship showdown at the Spectrum Center, the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils showcased their championship pedigree, holding off a resilient No. 10 Virginia Cavaliers squad 74-70 to claim their second straight ACC Tournament title on Saturday night.
The victory marks Duke’s third ACC Tournament championship in the past four years under head coach Jon Scheyer, solidifying their dominance in the conference. With the win, the Blue Devils improve to 32-2 on the season, extending their winning streak to 11 games and positioning them as the likely No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament bracket reveal on CBS Sunday.
A Battle of Grit and Precision
The final was a classic back-and-forth affair, featuring 16 lead changes and neither team leading by more than seven points. Duke’s Isaiah Evans emerged as the game’s hero, pouring in a game-high 20 points to lead the charge. Cameron Boozer, the presumptive Naismith National Player of the Year, sealed the victory with two crucial free throws with just 3.9 seconds remaining, despite a tough shooting night (3-of-17) against Virginia’s towering big man Ugonna Onyenso.
Cameron Boozer still contributed significantly with 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while his twin brother Cayden Boozer stepped up big with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, including a pivotal put-back rebound that gave Duke a 68-66 lead with 2:50 left.
For Virginia, Malik Thomas led with 18 points and Sam Lewis added 17, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Duke’s late-game execution. Onyenso was a defensive force, setting an ACC Tournament record with 20 blocks over three games — surpassing Tim Duncan’s mark of 14 from 1995 — including nine in the final alone.
Duke’s Road to the Title
Duke entered the tournament as the top seed after clinching the ACC regular-season crown outright for the second consecutive year under Scheyer. They advanced through a challenging bracket, first surviving a quarterfinal scare against No. 8 Florida State before dismantling No. 5 Clemson 73-61 in the semifinals on Friday.
In the semifinal win, freshmen Cayden Boozer and Nikolas Khamenia delivered career performances, while Duke’s defense held Clemson to just 22 points in the first half. Virginia, meanwhile, cruised past No. 3 Miami 84-62 in their semi, with Onyenso leading five Cavaliers in double figures.
This marks Duke’s record 23rd ACC Tournament title, far ahead of North Carolina’s 18. The Blue Devils now hold conference records for most wins (115), winning percentage (.710), and championship appearances (37). At the Spectrum Center, Duke is 26-8 all-time, winning six titles there.
Historical Context and NCAA Implications
Virginia entered the game with a dismal 1-32 record against No. 1-ranked teams and 0-17 versus top-ranked Duke squads, including a 77-51 regular-season loss at Cameron Indoor two weeks prior. Yet, the Cavaliers showed no fear, threatening to pull away late in the first half before Duke responded.
Despite the loss, Virginia (29-5) is projected as a No. 3 seed in CBS Sports Bracketology. Duke’s repeat as conference kings — sweeping regular season and tournament honors — reinforces their status as the nation’s top team.
“Just a great great night. Consecutive ACC tournament, regular season, and tournament titles for the Duke Blue Devils,” an ESPN highlight recap noted.
Looking Ahead to March Madness
As Selection Sunday approaches, Duke remains the No. 1 overall seed in updated bracketologies, fending off challenges from teams like Michigan and Arizona. Coach Scheyer, the 2025-26 ACC Coach of the Year, continues to build on the legacy of Mike Krzyzewski.
Cayden Boozer reflected post-game on SportsCenter: the young Blue Devils are ready for the next challenge. With stars like the Boozer twins and Evans leading the way, Duke enters NCAA play as heavy favorites for a deep run — perhaps even a national title.
| Round | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinals (Fri, Mar 13) | No. 2 Virginia vs. No. 3 Miami | 84-62 |
| Semifinals (Fri, Mar 13) | No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 Clemson | 73-61 |
| Championship (Sat, Mar 14) | No. 1 Duke vs. No. 2 Virginia | 74-70 |
The ACC Tournament, held March 10-14 at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, once again proved Duke’s mettle. Fans now turn their eyes to the Big Dance, where the Blue Devils aim to extend their historic run.
Key Stats: Duke – Evans 20 pts; C. Boozer 13 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast; Cayden Boozer 16 pts. Virginia – Thomas 18 pts; Lewis 17 pts; Onyenso 9 blocks.
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