Duke Defeats Virginia to Repeat as ACC Champions

Blue Devils hold off late Cavaliers rally to claim second straight conference title

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:56am

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In a closely contested ACC championship game, the Duke Blue Devils defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 67-63 to repeat as conference champions. Duke was led by strong performances from the Boozer brothers, with Cayden Boozer scoring 14 points and Cameron Boozer adding 12 points and 9 rebounds. Virginia's Ugonna Onyenso had a dominant defensive game with 7 blocks, but Duke was able to make key plays down the stretch to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win marks Duke's second straight ACC championship, solidifying their status as one of the top programs in the conference. The Blue Devils' ability to win close games against tough opponents like Virginia demonstrates their resilience and championship pedigree. For Virginia, the loss is a tough one, but they will look to bounce back and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

The details

Duke and Virginia traded blows throughout the game, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Virginia's defense, anchored by Ugonna Onyenso's rim protection, was able to limit Duke's star player Cameron Boozer for much of the game. However, Cayden Boozer stepped up with 14 points to keep the Blue Devils in the game. In the final minutes, Duke made the necessary plays, including a key three-point play from Darren Harris, to hold off a late Virginia rally and secure the victory.

  • The game was played on March 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Duke and Virginia met in the ACC championship game for the second straight year.

The players

Cameron Boozer

A star forward for the Duke Blue Devils, Cameron Boozer had 12 points and 9 rebounds in the ACC championship game.

Cayden Boozer

The younger brother of Cameron, Cayden Boozer scored 14 points to lead the Duke offense in the win over Virginia.

Ugonna Onyenso

The Virginia Cavaliers' dominant center, Onyenso had 7 blocks in the game to anchor his team's defense.

Darren Harris

The Duke guard made a crucial three-point play in the final minutes to help the Blue Devils hold off Virginia's late rally.

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What they’re saying

“Cayden Boozer coming out party”

— Rapheal DeLaGhetto (Twitter)

“Onyenso has stuffed Cam Boozer in a locker. This is insane.”

— Big Easy Bets (Twitter)

“Who else feels great when Isaiah Evans is at the free throw line?”

— Blue Devils (Twitter)

What’s next

Duke will look to carry this momentum into the NCAA tournament, where they will aim to make a deep run and potentially win their first national championship since 2015. Virginia will regroup and focus on making a strong showing in the Big Dance as well.

The takeaway

This hard-fought ACC championship game showcased the depth and talent of both the Duke and Virginia programs. The Blue Devils' ability to win close games against elite opponents like the Cavaliers demonstrates their championship pedigree, while Virginia's stifling defense led by Ugonna Onyenso shows they will be a tough out in the NCAA tournament.