The 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) basketball championship was won by Duke University in a thrilling final against the University of North Carolina (UNC). The Blue Devils defeated the Tar Heels by a score of 73-71 in the championship game, held at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was the first time since 2009 that Duke had won the ACC championship and it marked the fourth time in program history that the Blue Devils had won the title. The victory was especially sweet for Duke, as it was the first time since 2010 that the Blue Devils had defeated their arch-rival UNC in the ACC championship game.
Background to the Championship
Entering the tournament, Duke was the top seed and was the favorite to win the championship. The Blue Devils had finished the regular season with a record of 24-4 and had won the regular season ACC title. They were led by star senior guard Tre Jones, who had been named the ACC Player of the Year. Jones was joined by a talented cast of teammates, including senior forward Matthew Hurt and freshman guard Jalen Johnson.
Meanwhile, UNC had finished the regular season with a record of 21-7 and had earned the second seed in the tournament. The Tar Heels were led by senior guard Garrison Brooks, who had been named to the All-ACC first team. UNC also had a talented cast of teammates, including senior forward Armando Bacot and freshman guard Caleb Love.
The Championship Game
In the championship game, Duke and UNC put on a show for the fans in attendance. The Blue Devils got off to a fast start, jumping out to a 12-4 lead midway through the first half. UNC responded with a 14-5 run to take the lead and the teams entered halftime tied at 35-35.
The second half was a back and forth affair, with neither team able to establish control. With under a minute to go, Duke held a two-point lead, 71-69. UNC had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer, but the shot failed to connect. Duke then hit two free throws to extend their lead to 73-69 and seal the victory.
Reactions to the Championship
The Duke players and coaches were understandably ecstatic with the victory. After the game, head coach Mike Krzyzewski praised his team for their resilience and determination throughout the tournament. “We knew this was going to be a tough game, but our guys never gave up and they showed a lot of heart,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our players, and I’m glad we could bring the ACC title back to Duke.”
UNC was naturally disappointed with the loss, but head coach Roy Williams remained proud of his team’s effort. “Our guys battled hard and gave it their all,” he said. “We just came up a little bit short in the end, but I’m proud of the way we played and I know this team will bounce back.”
Conclusion
The 2022 ACC basketball championship was won by Duke, who defeated UNC in a thrilling final. The victory was especially sweet for the Blue Devils, as it was the first time since 2010 that they had defeated their arch-rival in the ACC championship game. It was the fourth time in program history that Duke had won the title and it marked the end of an eight-year drought. The Blue Devils will now look to carry their momentum into the NCAA tournament and make a run for a national championship.