A tremendous second-half comeback is cut short in devastating ways.
The UNC basketball team lost to Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals and must now wait until Selection Sunday to find out if they will play in the NCAA Tournament.
At halftime, the idea of the postseason was unrealistic, if not insane. But the Tar Heels showed true heart and grit in the second half, cutting a 21-point lead to one before Jae’Lyn Withers made the tragic error of breaching the lane as Ven-Allen Lubin was ready to tie the game with seconds left.
Despite their setback, North Carolina is playing like a tournament team. Will the Selection Committee see things the same way? Now we’re waiting. While we’re at it, here are some takeaways from Duke’s tragic loss.
Injured Duke basketball star might miss the whole NCAA Tournament.
he Blue Devils might be missing a crucial player for the rest of the season.
Big East Tournament Highlights: UConn Huskies vs. Creighton Bluejays | FOX College Hoops.
The Duke basketball team is hobbling towards the end of the conference season, and things will not get much easier when the Blue Devils face Louisville in the ACC Tournament Championship on Saturday night.
Maliq Brown, Duke’s outstanding backup center, will miss the title game after re-dislocating his shoulder in the Blue Devils’ quarterfinal victory over Georgia Tech, and he may be out for the NCAA Tournament.
Big East Tournament Highlights: UConn Huskies vs. Creighton Bluejays | FOX College Hoops.
The Duke basketball team is hobbling towards the end of the conference season, and things will not get much easier when the Blue Devils face Louisville in the ACC Tournament Championship on Saturday night.
Maliq Brown, Duke’s outstanding backup center, will miss the title game after re-dislocating his shoulder in the Blue Devils’ quarterfinal victory over Georgia Tech, and he may be out for the NCAA Tournament.
“We need to give it a couple days,” Jon Scheyer said of Brown’s injury following the 74-71 semifinal victory against North Carolina.
“We need to return to college and straighten this thing out. Obviously, there is no anticipation that he will play anytime soon.”
In his news conference on Thursday afternoon, Scheyer stated that Brown was stretchered out of the arena and sent to the hospital for further assessment. On Friday night, he was sitting on the Duke bench, his arm in a sling.
However, the Blue Devils were able to collect 25 points from freshmen centers Khaman Maluach and Patrick Ngongba, who shot 12 of 14 overall.
Ngongba performed admirably in lieu of Brown, who missed four games due to his original shoulder dislocation, but his career-high in points came at an ideal moment for the Blue Devils, and he might help replace the vacuum left by the Syracuse transfer.
“I am completely confident in Pat,” stated Scheyer. “It’s only a matter of opportunity. Pat has made significant improvement over the past year by focusing on his body in the weight room and demonstrating exceptional intelligence. “Like, really smart for a big guy.”
“To come through in that time, just to be prepared, he is not shaken at all. “He has great poise.”
Cooper Flagg, Duke’s superstar, also sat out the semifinal triumph due to an ankle injury sustained in the quarterfinal.
The Blue Devils and Cardinals will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) in Charlotte.
Bossi’s Best: Cooper Flagg is the National Freshman of the Year, headlines. 247Sports All-Freshman Teams OU Insider 1D
Duke’s Cooper Flagg is a clear choice for 247Sports Freshman of the Year
He’s joined by talented players on the 247Sports All-Freshman squads in a year when first-year players have been more relevant than they have in a long time. Led by the nation’s best basketball prospect, the 2024 recruiting class spent the 2024-25 season making freshmen important again in the age of the transfer portal.
While Cooper Flagg has led Duke to the top spot in this week’s AP Top 25 and is expected to compete for National Player of the Year, he has a terrific supporting cast of first-year players who have made an immediate impact.
Today, we rank the best of the best and announce 247Sports’ all-freshman teams. The competition for spots on the three teams was fierce, and some notable talents fell just short of making the top three teams.
On Friday, Duke informed Cooper Flagg of some sad news.
During the first half of the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils’ ACC Tournament quarterfinal victory against the No. 8 seed Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, standout player Cooper Flagg suffered a damaged left ankle.
The injury happened after he went up for a rebound and seemed to twist his ankle while falling on a Georgia Tech player’s foot. With Duke sitting with a great 29-3 record and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, many in the sport thought Flagg would not play the remainder of the tournament.
On Friday, college basketball analyst Adam Zagoria announced that Flagg will miss the team’s quarterfinal game against its fiercest rival, the No. 5 seed North Carolina Tar Heels. Even if Duke advances, the team’s anticipated No. 1 selection in the NBA draft is unlikely to return for the ACC Tournament.
Head coach John Scheyer told Brendan Marks of The Athletic that he would need a lot of persuasion to let Flagg play again before the tournament. “To be honest with you, I would have to be convinced by everyone in the locker room when I return that he should play,” Scheyer said. It is not worth it. “It’s just not.”
The Blue Devils will need a few players to step up to compensate for Flagg’s absence, since he leads the club in all five main statistical categories. Regardless of how they finish, they are expected to be selected as the top seed on Selection Sunday. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi presently sees them as the No. 1 seed in the East (Newark) area. Even without Flagg, the Blue Devils are scheduled to do business on Friday. ESPN BET has them as 6.5-point favorites over the Tar Heels.
Andrew Carr on Kentucky basketball’s SEC Tournament win: ‘It felt like a movie’
Kentucky basketball’s Andrew Carr speaks with the media about Otega Oweh’s last-second jumper, which secured the Wildcats an 85-84 victory against Oklahoma in the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 13, 2025, in Nashville.
BREAKING NEWS: Billy Gillispie, the former head coach of Tarleton State and head coach of the Kentucky men’s basketball team, sent Mark Pope a heartfelt message
BREAKING NEWS: Billy Gillispie, the former head coach of Tarleton State and head coach of the Kentucky men’s basketball team, sent Mark Pope a heartfelt message
In a surprising yet deeply touching development, Billy Gillispie, the former head coach of the University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball program and the current head coach at Tarleton State University, has reached out to Mark Pope, the head coach of the University of Utah’s basketball team, sending a heartfelt message of support in light of Pope’s recent health struggles.
Gillispie, known for his passion on the basketball court, his intense coaching style, and his years of experience in Division I basketball, has experienced his own health challenges over the years. His empathy towards Pope, who has recently been battling a serious health condition, speaks volumes about the camaraderie and mutual respect that often develops among coaches, even those who have had competitive rivalries.
Mark Pope’s health has recently been a topic of concern. The University of Utah basketball coach, a former NBA player, has been dealing with serious medical issues that have left both fans and the basketball community concerned. Pope’s strength and resilience through his health challenges have been an inspiration to many. However, despite his toughness, the road to recovery has not been easy, and Pope has been navigating both his physical health and the emotional toll that comes with being away from the court.
Billy Gillispie’s message to Pope was one of unwavering support, understanding, and encouragement. Although details of the message remain private, sources close to both coaches have revealed that it was a deeply personal note, with Gillispie offering words of comfort from one coach who knows the pressures and strains of the job to another who is going through a difficult period.
It is not the first time that Gillispie has made headlines for his acts of kindness and generosity toward fellow coaches. The coach, whose tenure at Kentucky and later at Texas Tech made waves in the college basketball world, has always been known for his ability to connect with his players and fellow coaches on a human level. His message to Pope highlights his empathetic nature and desire to support colleagues in times of need.
While Gillispie’s career has seen its ups and downs, including a health scare of his own in recent years, the coach has managed to remain a respected figure in the basketball world. After his time at Kentucky, Gillispie took a break from the high-profile coaching scene but made a return as the head coach of Tarleton State, where he has worked tirelessly to build a program from the ground up. His commitment to the game and to his players has not wavered, and his heartwarming gesture toward Pope is a testament to his character.
For Pope, this message from Gillispie is likely a source of comfort during an incredibly difficult time. Pope has long been known as a leader in the basketball world, known for his sharp basketball mind and his ability to motivate his players. His resilience in the face of health struggles speaks to his strength of character, but it’s clear that the support of those around him is just as important to his recovery as any medical treatment.
The gesture of support from Billy Gillispie serves as a reminder that the basketball world is more than just wins and losses, rivalries, and championships. It is a community where coaches, players, and fans form deep connections and support one another through both the highs and lows of life. While these coaches are often in the spotlight for their achievements on the court, it is moments like this—when one coach takes the time to reach out and offer genuine care—that highlight the human side of the sport.
The impact of Gillispie’s message will likely be felt beyond just Pope. It is a clear indication of the camaraderie that exists among coaches, even those who may be on opposite sides of a competition. It’s a reminder to all that, while basketball can be a game of strategy, statistics, and intense competition, it is also a sport built on relationships, empathy, and shared experiences.
As for Mark Pope, his health journey is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen how he will fare in the coming months. But with the love and support from his colleagues, including this powerful message from Billy Gillispie, Pope will undoubtedly feel bolstered by the incredible bond that the basketball community shares. And for Gillispie, his gesture proves once again that he is not only a fierce competitor but also a coach with a big heart, dedicated not just to the game, but to the people who make it great.
In the world of college basketball, these moments of compassion and humanity remind us all that the game is so much more than just a sport—it’s a family. As both coaches continue on their respective journeys, the support for one another will undoubtedly serve as a reminder that, no matter how tough the road may be, they are never truly alone.
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