DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Atlantic Coast Conference tournament runner-up Duke will remain close to home to open the NCAA tournament, earning the third seed in the Midwest Region.
The Blue Devils (26-8), who lost to Virginia in Sunday’s ACC championship game to Virginia, will face No. 14 seed Mercer (26-8) on Friday in Raleigh, N.C.
Mercer earned its first berth in the NCAA tournament since 1985 with a win over Florida Gulf Coast in the Atlantic Sun tournament championship game.
Duke, led by standout Jabari Parker, was third in the ACC during the regular season. The Blue Devils were a No. 2 seed in last year’s NCAA tournament, losing to eventual national champion Louisville in the regional final.
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