Duke WBB is Optimistic Heading Into the ACC Tournament

On Monday, the Atlantic Coast Conference held a media day for the upcoming 2023 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament taking place in Greensboro, NC from March 1-5 at the Greensboro Coliseum.

I had a chance to catch up with Duke Blue Devil head coach Kara Lawson on the challenges they face heading into the ACC tournament and Lawson emphasized that her team has to play their best basketball yet.

Coach Lawson has carried the heavy task of building this team from scratch with Duke heroes like Shayeann-Day Wilson while adding key transfers like guards Celeste Taylor (11.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game), Reigan Richardson (6.8 points per game), and forward Elizabeth Balogun (10 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game).

Duke moved up eight rankings over the course of the season, Coach Lawson put it like this “it’s hard to move up just one ranking in this league.” Duke sits at the number two seed in the tournament.

Duke has a double-bye which means their first game of the ACC tournament is in the Quarterfinals on Thursday, March 3 at 6 pm.

The Blue Devils next opponent will be the winner between UNC-Chapel Hill vs Pittsburgh or Clemson.

If Duke were to play UNC it would be their third matchup following two regular season matchups. The Tar Heels shut down the Cameron Indoor Stadium in a win over Duke on February 26.

While discussing how she feels her team is mental, Coach Lawson mentioned that her team was ready to move forward after a tough loss and is ready to give their all in Greensboro this week. “We have a good, motivated group” stated an excited Lawson. Her points of emphasis included converting on transition opportunities whether it is a three-on-two or a two-on-one and also finding ways to repeat winning plays in critical moments against high-level opponents. Repetitiveness will be key heading into the ACC tournament for Coach Lawson and the Duke Blue Devils.