Kyle Filipowski and the Duke Blue Devils lasted just one game in the 2024 ACC Tournament, as they got stunned right out of the gate by the NC State Wolfpack Thursday night, 74-69.
The loss to the Wolfpack could be interpreted as a bad omen for the Blue Devils as the 2024 March Madness nears. Although Duke is virtually locked to have a spot in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Blue Devils’ current form doesn’t bode well for their chances to go deep in the Big Dance.
Kyle Filipowski Laments Duke Blue Devils Mindset That Led To Downfall In 2024 ACC Tournament
After the game, Filipowski rued his team’s mentality which partly caused the Blue Devils’ last two losses. Before the defeat at the hands of the Wolfpack, Duke suffered an 84-79 loss to fierce rivals North Carolina Tar Heels at home last Saturday.
Via Brendan Marks of The Athletic:
“Just speaking back to Tennessee last year, they wanted it more than us,” sophomore forward Kyle Filipowski said in the locker room, unprompted. “We can’t be expecting to win. We can’t be entitled … We’ve got to want it more than the other team, because if not? Then it’s going to be the same situation as the second round last year. As tonight.”
Whatever it is that’s been bothering the Blue Devils of late, they will have to sort it out sooner rather than later, with the NCAA Tournament coming up. Last year, Duke was eliminated from the tourney just after two games, as they got bounced out by the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round.
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