Duke Blue Devils Continue Dominant Run with 97-60 Win Over Miami, Tyrese Proctor Injured

Image credits: Photo by Tiffany Chen | The Chronicle

The Duke Blue Devils continued their dominant run through the ACC with a 97-60 win over Miami on Tuesday night, but the victory came with a cost as guard Tyrese Proctor suffered a left knee injury in the first half. Proctor, who has started 87 games for Duke over three seasons, was going backward in an effort to defend against a Miami fast break when his left leg appeared to buckle, causing him to hobble off the court in obvious discomfort. He did not return to the game, finishing with seven points in 14 minutes, and will have X-rays and an MRI when the team gets back to North Carolina.

Despite Proctor's injury, the Blue Devils' offense did not seem to miss a beat, with the freshman trio of Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Isaiah Evans combining for 52 points and 11 boards in the contest. Duke's synergy on offense was on full display, with the team knocking down 15 threes and dishing out 20 assists in a complete offensive showing. The Blue Devils' defense was also impressive, holding Miami to just 60 points and forcing 20 turnovers. The team's length and athleticism were too much for the Hurricanes to handle, with Duke amassing four blocks and 10 steals to go along with countless other deflections.

The win was Duke's 16th in the ACC, and the Blue Devils remain on track to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the injury to Proctor casts uncertainty over his status for upcoming games, and coach Jon Scheyer will be hoping that the injury is not too serious. Proctor is averaging 11.8 points this season, third-best on the team behind Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, and leads the Blue Devils with 64 3-pointers. The team's schedule for the remainder of the season is as follows:

• Saturday: vs. Florida State at 7 p.m.
• March 2: at North Carolina
• March 5: vs. Virginia Tech

With the ACC tournament just around the corner, the Blue Devils will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure the top seed. The team's depth and talent will be crucial in the postseason, and Scheyer will be hoping that Proctor can return to the court soon. In the meantime, the Blue Devils will continue to rely on their talented freshmen and experienced upperclassmen to lead the team to victory.

The ACC standings are currently as follows:

1. Duke: 16-1
2. Louisville: 15-2
3. Clemson: 15-2

The Blue Devils' win over Miami was a testament to their dominance in the ACC, and they will be looking to continue their winning ways in the coming weeks. With their sights set on the NCAA Tournament, the Blue Devils will be focused on maintaining their momentum and securing the top seed in the ACC.

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