carlos boozer
Duke took the final spot in the conference tournament’s semifinal round with an 80-79 victory against Florida State, a result that extended conference tournament action on March 12 and left the Blue Devils navigating the next stage without two of their starters.
Duke Advances With an 80-79 Win
The Blue Devils clinched the last semifinal berth in a one-point game that underscored both resiliency and the thin margins of the league tournament. The team’s win kept it alive in the bracket as conferences across the country continued to sort NCAA Tournament positioning on March 12. The victory was built on late-game execution and contributions from a limited rotation.
Carlos Boozer And Evans’ Breakout Night
Isaiah Evans led Duke with a breakout performance, scoring 32 points while adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block. He shot 11-of-20 from the field and 7-of-16 from 3-point range, finishing as the game’s leading scorer and one of only two Duke players to reach double figures.
carlos boozer
Cameron Boozer also played a major offensive role, finishing with 23 points. The game highlighted the Blue Devils’ ability to rely on younger contributors while two regular starters were unavailable.
Injuries Reshape Duke’s Tournament Run
Two starting players were sidelined for the entire ACC Tournament, reshaping the Blue Devils’ rotation. Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II did not play in the conference event, forcing others into expanded roles. Against Florida State, Evans stepped up to fill significant minutes and scoring responsibility.
The altered lineup produced a concentrated offensive load: Evans’ perimeter shooting and length provided spacing and defensive disruption, while Cameron Boozer’s scoring kept the team competitive in a close game.
Conference Context And What Comes Next
Conference tournaments continued across the country on March 12 with a mix of clinched NCAA bids and ongoing battles for conference titles. Other ACC outcomes that day included North Carolina falling to Clemson, Miami defeating Louisville, and Virginia defeating NC State. Those results, together with Duke’s narrow advance, shaped the immediate bracket and the paths teams must navigate to secure conference hardware or improve NCAA Tournament positioning.
Duke will enter its semifinal game coming off a narrow victory and with an altered rotation; the team’s next matchup will determine whether this late surge carries them further into the tournament. The on-court form displayed by Evans and the scoring from Cameron Boozer will be key factors as Duke prepares for the next round.
The situation remains straightforward and confirmed: Duke is in the ACC Tournament semifinal after an 80-79 win, Evans produced a 32-point outing, and Cameron Boozer scored 23. Additional developments will become clearer as the tournament progresses and matchups are finalized.
