So the Blue Devils' 70-60 victory over the Wolfpack on Sunday at the Greensboro Coliseum should be something of a stepping stone for Duke.
Yet it's also a milestone, of sorts, for N.C. State.
Both programs have been through coaching changes, though for vastly different reasons.
Former Duke coach Gail Goestenkors left for a rich payday at Texas, where that program continues its rebuilding process with this week's Big 12 Tournament.
N.C. State, of course, lost Coach Kay Yow to cancer a little more than a year ago.
"In some ways, [the transitions were] very similar," Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said after leading the Blue Devils to the program's sixth ACC Tournament title. "[Each had] a beloved coach, right? ... One chose to go elsewhere, and of course Kay.
"I love Kay. What you need to know about Kay is that she was so kind to me when I entered the league. She was the one who asked me to sit next to her at conference meetings. Kay was just an incredible person with great vitality."
A large banner in the Greensboro Coliseum simply reads "Yow" and includes the pink-ribbon logo that symbolizes the ACC's commitment to fighting cancer.
Many expected long-time assistant coach Stephanie Glance, who guided the Pack during Yow's absences, to be promoted.
Yet that job went to former Tennessee star Kellie Harper, who had built a program at Western Carolina.
"In terms of the program, I think Kellie and her staff and the players have done an incredible job, the way they've come on down the stretch, the teams they've beaten," McCallie said of the Pack, which beat Clemson, No. 24 Virginia and Boston College to reach the title game. "I think it's a pretty remarkable thing given all the change and growth for everybody.
"Kay's legacy goes a long, long, long way. They fight -- oh gosh, they can fight. They've always fought, and they continue to fight and Kellie has just helped build on that and grow that and give her team some tools, so it's really a positive thing."
The Wolfpack earned its shot against Duke by erasing a double-figure deficit in the second half of Saturday's semifinal victory over Boston College.
Even when the Blue Devils built an 18-point lead with 8:20 remaining in the second half, they knew the Pack wouldn't give up. True to form, N.C. State players seemingly dove for every loose ball, led by senior Nikitta Gartrell with 19 points and sophomore Bonae Holston with 14.
"It comes from the players," McCallie said. "You've got to give a whole lot of credit to the players, because Gartrell and Holston -- those two, in particular, are just stunningly, stunningly focused and have been through such adversity that you just know how strong they are. Those two, to me, are the key."
Yet when Brittany Strachan hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut Duke's margin to 65-56 with 2:57 remaining, the Blue Devils closed the door and sealed their first title under McCallie.
"We knew that they were going to bring their passion and their energy," said Duke junior Jasmine Thomas, the tournament MVP who posted 18 points against the Pack. "They are such a great team. ... We knew that we were going to get their best shot.
"I think they did a phenomenal job -- they always kept us on the edge [and thinking] 'We've got to stay in this; we've got to stay on top.' Not for one second did we think that they were going to let up."
Now the Blue Devils will take some time off during Duke's spring break, returning to practice Friday before tuning into the NCAA Tournament selection show on March 15.
"Coach P gives us the time off to get our minds right and to refocus for the NCAA Tournament," Thomas said. "So we get some time away because it's our spring break."
But you hardly could blame Harper for bristling a bit when asked about the Wolfpack's future in the NCAA Tournament.
"It think our kids have proved over the last few weeks that we are an NCAA Tournament team," Harper said. "Right now, I don't think I have to make an argument for these girls. I think they made it for me."
And you won't get an argument from McCallie or any of the Blue Devils on that point.
You may contact Jimmy DuPree at jdupree@heraldsun.com or 419-6674.
