As the calendar flips to 2025, Duke and Virginia Tech are set to clash on December 31, 2024, at 4:30 PM ET, in what promises to be a thrilling showdown. Much like fireworks lighting up the New Year’s Eve sky, this matchup offers a spark to end the year with a bang.

With Cooper Flagg leading Duke’s charge, this game is poised to deliver both finesse and grit. But will Virginia Tech’s defense spoil the party?

Injury Report

The pregame buzz includes good news for fans of both teams: there are no injuries to report, as confirmed by Covers.com. With every key player available, the stage is set for a full-throttle contest. While Virginia Tech’s last game showcased their resilience, Duke’s squad, powered by Flagg’s dynamic play, remains a dominant force. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Duke an overwhelming 98.3% chance of victory, underscoring their edge in this battle.

Adding to Duke’s advantage, key players who previously missed games due to minor setbacks—Maliq Brown (toe injury), Cam Sheffield (illness), and Spencer Hubbard (toothache)—are all expected to return for this final game of the year. With a full roster at their disposal, the Blue Devils are poised to bring their best.

Leading the charge for Duke’s starting five could be Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, and Sion James.

They’ll face off against Virginia Tech’s lineup of Tobi Lawal, Jaden Schutt, Tyler Johnson, Ben Hammond, and Mylyjael Poteat.

Virginia Tech’s starting five in their last outing revealed mixed performances. M. Poteat played only 8 minutes, managing 4 points and 2 rebounds, while J. Schutt contributed 5 points and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes. T. Lawal and T. Johnson added modest contributions with 9 and 0 points, respectively.

B. Hammond led with an efficient 11 points in 18 minutes but found little support. Like a team struggling to find a rhythm before the buzzer sounds on the old year, the Hokies must regroup and hit the court with a renewed sense of purpose to stand a chance against Duke’s powerhouse lineup.

Duke vs Virginia Tech: A scripted ending for 2024

Duke’s starting lineup, on the other hand, radiates star power. Cooper Flagg, the freshman phenom, has become the centerpiece of their roster. In his last game, Flagg logged 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 28 minutes, showcasing his versatility.

K. Knueppel led the scoring with 18 points, while K. Maluach delivered a perfect 5-for-5 shooting performance, adding 15 points and 8 rebounds. With Flagg averaging 16.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season, Duke’s strength lies not only in individual brilliance but also in their cohesive teamwork, hence their  10-2 record so far.

With that, the men in Blue already hold an edge but if that wasn’t enough, the two programs’ competitive rivalry places it in a favor further.

In their last ten matchups, Duke holds a 6-4 edge, including a January 29, 2024 victory that solidified their dominance. Ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll (Week 8) and No. 3 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball NET Rankings, Duke enters this game as a heavy favorite, but Virginia Tech’s underdog spirit, having gone 5-7 so far, could make things interesting.