Without Cooper Flagg, Duke got everything it could handle from North Carolina — and an unexpected gift that proved decisive in a 74-71 win.

The prevailing mantra in the aftermath of UNC's emotional loss to Duke: The Tar Heels had done enough to lose long before a costly lane violation with 4.1 seconds left, and yet this was still a team more than deserving of a spot in the NCAA tournament.

After missing the first free throw, he made the second but it was ruled no good after Jae'Lyn Withers committed a lane violation. Duke then sank two free throws to take the 74-71 win and sweeping all three games this season.

As speculation swirls about Cooper Flagg's future at Duke after his ACC Tournament injury, an ESPN analyst pushes back on the idea that he's done with college basketball.

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg appeared to injure his left ankle after slipping under the basket and was helped to the locker room by two teammates late in the first half. He did not return.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer announced Cooper Flagg would not play in Saturday's ACC Tournament Championship Game against the winner of Louisville vs. Clemson. "I'm not breaking any new