Their Tuesday night showdown with Wake Forest was a perfect example of their heightened play over the last month. In a matchup pitting two of the top four teams in the ACC against each other, the Cardinals made the Demon Deacons look like a team that was dwelling in the league's basement.

T he Cardinals were still finding their footing when Cooper Flagg and then-No. 9 Duke beat Louisville in the River City on Dec. 8. Head coach Pat Kelsey was in the early stages of

After Duke men's basketball games, check back here for the Player of the Game and more. It was a narrow victory for the Blue Devils, who came through late against the Demon Deacons, and the Blue Zone breaks down the game.