Tuesday night in Charlottesville isn’t just another ACC matchup, it’s a test of grit. Cooper Flagg has been untouchable, but Virginia thrives on turning flashy offense into frustrating nights. Will Duke’s momentum bulldoze through, or can the Cavaliers disrupt the hype train? Only time will tell as the two pumped-up take on each other at the John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville.

Duke has been rolling, and Cooper Flagg? The man is on a mission. He’s been making it look effortless, draining buckets, grinning, and owning the court. But can his team stop the in-form Cavaliers? Virginia is coming off a gritty, last-second win over Virginia Tech. A close call, yes, but a win that fuels momentum. And in college basketball, momentum can be everything.

Duke and Virginia will take on each other at the John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Fans can watch the game from 2:30 PM EST on Tuesday. The Arena holds 14,500 fans, but when Virginia is playing a powerhouse like Duke, it feels like a pressure cooker. The Cavaliers fed off the crowd’s energy against Virginia Tech, but can they recreate that storm, or will Duke silence them early?

While the energy in the arena could be a game-changer, both teams will need their best weapons ready for battle. But are there any setbacks in the locker room that could tilt the balance?

How does the locker room look?

Virginia’s roster is stretched thin at the worst possible time. Elijah Gertrude’s absence has left their bench scrambling, and Christian Bliss is still questionable after missing months with a foot injury. Meanwhile, Duke? Fully fit. Fully locked in. And with Cooper Flagg leading the charge, that’s a terrifying prospect for any opponent.

Starting lineup:

Virginia Cavaliers – Anthony Robinson, Dai Dai Ames, Isaac McKneely, Elijah Saunders, Blake Buchanan.

Duke Blue Devils – Khaman Maluach, Caleb Foster, Sion James, Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor.

Before looking ahead to Tuesday, let’s revisit how Duke Blue Devils dismantled Stanford with ruthless efficiency. Duke didn’t just beat Stanford, they controlled them from the opening tip. Flagg, Proctor, and Foster made it look easy, storming to a 49-34 halftime lead. Stanford’s defense had no answers. The second half? Just a formality. The home crowd was silenced by the play Cooper Flagg, and Tyrese Proctor was delivering on the court.

Tyrese Proctor put up a decent show in the second half as well, scoring 23 points, four assists, and two rebounds in 28 minutes. At the same time, Cooper Flagg, who is in red-hot form, managed to collect 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists from 28 minutes in action. Is there any stopping for the 18-year-old forward?

Virginia Cavaliers have also done decent enough, provided their injury crisis. The 11th-seeded team in the Atlantic Coast is coming off a physiologically huge win. The Cavaliers scraped past Virginia Tech in a nail-biter, leading 40-33 at the half before a chaotic second half turned the game into a last-second thriller. McKneely rose to the occasion, dropping 22 points and carrying his squad to a gutsy 73-70 win. But against Flagg’s Duke? Virginia can’t afford to play with fire.

Is another blowout performance by the Duke Blue Devils on the cards, or can the Virginia Cavaliers stand firm in front of their home crowd? What do you think?