Duke basketball vs Louisville: Score prediction, scouting report for ACC Tournament championship
It’ll be Duke basketball vs. Louisville in the championship game of the 2025 ACC Tournament.
The top-seeded Blue Devils (30-3) and second-seeded Cardinals (27-6) play Saturday (8:30 p.m., ESPN) for the right to raise the trophy and cut down the nets inside Spectrum Center.
Duke is trying to win its 23rd ACC Tournament, including its sixth in Charlotte and second in three seasons under head coach Jon Scheyer. Louisville, in its debut season under head coach Pat Kelsey, is playing in the title game for the first time since joining the ACC in 2014.
The Blue Devils are 2-0 against Louisville in the ACC Tournament, winning in 2021 and 2017. Duke beat the Cards for the sixth straight time earlier this season, rallying from a 14-point deficit to win 76-65 in Kentucky.
Cooper Flagg, the ACC Player of the Year, will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury. Maliq Brown, who re-dislocated his shoulder, will miss his 10th game as a Blue Devil.
Here’s a preview, some players to watch and a score prediction for Duke vs. Louisville
Kon Knueppel closing in on ACC Tournament MVP after Cooper Flagg injury
Freshman wing Kon Knueppel is showing why he’s a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Through two games in the ACC Tournament, Knueppel is averaging 22.5 points on 47.7% shooting, including a 46.6% clip from 3-point range. After matching a season-worst effort with five turnovers against UNC, it’s a safe bet to think Knueppel will take better care of the ball in the title game. If he logs another sensational showing, Knueppel will likely be the ACC Tournament MVP.
Tyrese Proctor, Terrence Edwards matchup in Duke vs Louisville
Like Knueppel, Louisville’s Terrence Edwards is likely in line for ACC Tournament MVP if he can log another impressive effort in the championship game. Edwards is averaging 23 points through two tournament games and has attempted 17 free throws. In the regular-season loss to Duke, the James Madison transfer dropped 21 on the Devils. Tyrese Proctor is likely to draw that defensive assignment. Proctor had 11 points against UNC, but he’s missed his 10 attempts from 3-point range through two postseason games. As a 38% shooter from beyond the arc, Proctor is due for a hot shooting night.
Points in the paint for Blue Devils, Cardinals
Duke allowed a season-worst 44 points in the paint against UNC. The Blue Devils third nationally in two-point defense and Louisville is 16th in two-point offense. Duke had a 34-14 advantage in paint points against the Cards in the regular season. Louisville has averaged 35 points in the paint through two games at Spectrum Center. The team that wins on the interior will likely leave Charlotte with a trophy.
Duke vs Louisville score prediction
Duke 76, Louisville 69: The Cardinals are experiencing a revival, but the Blue Devils are the standard this season. Duke will once again show off its depth before climbing the ladder to celebrate a championship.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball vs Louisville: Score prediction for ACC Tournament
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