Round 3: Duke vs UNC: ACC Semi-Finals

If the stakes couldn't get higher for the Tar Heels in a potential elimination game, the Heels defeated Wake Forest Thursday evening, ending the Deacs basketball season and illustrious career of All-American Hunter Sallis, 68-59.

North Carolina who according to many bracket experts are amongst the last four in are seeking an inevitable quad-1 win against the number 1 team in the country, Duke Blue Devils. In doing so, they indeed will venture against a depleted Duke ball club who lost arguably their two most important players Thursday.

Defensive anchor Maliq Brown who returned two weeks ago after suffering a dislocated shoulder reaggravated the shoulder during Duke's 78-70 win against Georgia Tech. He was later seen leaving the arena on a stretcher to relieve the pain. Head coach Jon Scheyer stated Maliq was in extreme pain leaving the Spectrum Center during the post game presser.

(photo courtesy of Bob Donnan- Fayetteville Observer)

ACC POY and ROY Cooper Flagg suffered a ankle injury during the first half and was unable to put weight on the leg, needing to be helped to the locker room. He was also seen leaving the arena in a wheelchair, but later returned to Duke's bench supporting his teammates. Coach Scheyer later stated, Cooper wanted to come back in the game to continue to play. Cooper is not expected to play against North Carolina Friday and could miss more time depending on the severity of the swelling.

(photo courtesy of Bob Donnan- Fayetteville Observer)

Regardless of whose on the court Friday during the ACC semifinals between Duke/North Carolina, round 3 for a chance to the championship has alot on the line. The Blue Devils are still playing for a solidified number 1 seed, and the Heels are playing for a NCAA birth.