Duke Dominates Clemson in ACC Tournament Quarterfinal

Duke Blue Devils Cruise Past Clemson Tigers in ACC Quarterfinals

The Duke Blue Devils, the reigning ACC champions and regular season title holders, showcased their dominance with a commanding victory over the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Demonstrating a potent offensive attack and solid defense, Duke moved one step closer to defending their championship title.

Early Offensive Barrage from Duke

From the opening tip, Duke established their offensive rhythm, with players like Riley Nelson and Tyena Mayor hitting crucial jump shots. “Duke is making jump shots early,” noted one commentator, a positive sign for the Blue Devils as they built an early 8-3 lead. The team’s ability to set up their three-point shooting was evident, with Mayor, a senior from Boston, quickly sinking a corner three. Duke’s offensive schemes were described as “excellent,” with players demonstrating a deep understanding of personnel and a “mentality” to execute.

The Blue Devils’ offense, characterized by good ball movement and players finding open looks, saw Mayor relocate effectively off double teams and Jackson utilizing a nice ball fake to get to the perimeter for a layup. “All five on the floor can score for Duke,” a commentator observed, highlighting the team’s offensive depth. Duke’s strategy of utilizing the jump shot early, despite having inside weapons like Toby Forier, surprised some, as 13 of their first 19 shots came from outside the lane.

Clemson Struggles to Find Consistency

Clemson, enjoying their best season in decades and safely into the NCAA tournament field, struggled to keep pace with Duke’s offensive output. Despite efforts from players like Deira Hines, Raven Thompson, and Jordan Wood, the Tigers found themselves trailing for much of the game. Clemson appeared heavily reliant on the three-point shot and needed to incorporate more dribble drives to open up lanes, but struggled with over-penetration. At one point, Clemson went over three minutes without scoring, hampered by four turnovers during that stretch.

The length and size of Duke proved to be an issue for Clemson, who were often playing with almost four guards on the floor. “Clemson really playing with almost four guards on the floor,” was a key observation regarding their lineup construction. While Clemson showed flashes, such as a nice move to the bucket by Taylor Johnson Matthews and a strong second-half performance from Mia Moore in a previous game, they couldn’t maintain consistent scoring against Duke’s defense.

Key Performances and Defensive Stands

Toby Forier was a key contributor for Duke, knocking down multiple three-pointers and scoring effectively inside. Her ability to hit shots and find teammates, like Jackson for a layup, was crucial. Rachel Rose also had a strong showing, playing through injury and contributing key baskets. “The fundamentals for Rose are on point. They really are,” a commentator praised. Delaney Thomas provided valuable offensive rebounds and putbacks, contributing to Duke’s advantage on the glass, where they average 13 offensive rebounds per game.

Duke’s defense also made its presence felt. Jordan Wood recorded a block, and the team collectively worked to disrupt Clemson’s offensive flow. Even when Clemson attempted to pressure Duke in the fourth quarter, Duke responded. “Can you get three stops, three scores, then you get a little game pressure on Duke?” was the question posed regarding Clemson’s challenge. Despite a low-scoring third quarter for both teams, Duke’s defensive effort, holding Clemson to just nine points, was a significant factor.

Looking Ahead

For Duke, this victory solidifies their status as a top contender in the ACC Tournament and builds momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament. As defending champions, they are looking to end a 20-year Final Four drought. “They’re an NCAA tournament team. They’re probably…” commentators discussed their seeding prospects, with a potential to be a three-seed if they make a deep run.

Clemson, despite the loss, has had a successful season and is expected to be an NCAA Tournament team for the first time since 2019. “They’re going to be back in the NCA tournament for the first time since 2019,” was a key takeaway. While they couldn’t overcome Duke in this matchup, their improved performance throughout the season indicates a program on the rise.

Duke Blue Devils advance to the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament semifinals with a dominant win over Clemson!

— ESPN College Basketball (@ESPNBBall) March 7, 2024

The Blue Devils will now look to continue their championship defense, while Clemson will regroup and prepare for the NCAA Tournament, aiming to build on their successful season.

Source: Clemson Tigers vs. Duke Blue Devils | ACC WBB Tournament Highlights | ESPN College Basketball (YouTube)