Duke Destroys Florida State 100-65
No. 2 ranked Duke rolled past Florida State 100-65 with a balanced team effort despite an injury scare for star freshman Cooper Flagg. Duke's deep roster and offensive firepower keep them in the national championship conversation as they build momentum into March.
The lopsided victory marked a record-setting performance for the Blue Devils. It was their ninth Atlantic Coast Conference win by 25 points or more this season, the most in a single season in ACC history. The win was also Duke's fifth consecutive victory by 15 or more points, tying a school record. Four Blue Devils scored in double figures, with Isaiah Evans leading the way with 19 points in his first career start. Khaman Maluach recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Kon Knueppel added 14 points and a game-high five assists. Despite the injury scare, Cooper Flagg finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists in about 20 minutes of play. The Blue Devils dominated inside, outscoring the Seminoles 46-18 in the paint. They also capitalized on Florida State's mistakes, holding a 21-5 advantage in points off turnovers and a 25-7 edge in fast-break points. A key to their offensive efficiency was ball security, as Duke committed zero turnovers in the first half and only four for the entire game. The injury to Flagg occurred with 11:27 remaining in the first half when he was poked in the eye. After being evaluated, he returned to the bench before halftime and started the second half. Coach Jon Scheyer later described the injury as a bruised eyelid. This was the only regular-season meeting between the two teams. The game also marked the final visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium for retiring Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton, who was honored before the game. Looking ahead, Duke will travel to face NC State on March 2nd before returning home to play North Carolina on March 7th to close out their regular season. Florida State will go on the road to play Pittsburgh on March 4th and then host SMU for their season finale on March 7th.
