Coolheaded Duke Basketball Freshman Thanks UNC Student Section

Evidently, the Dean E. Smith Center student section behind the basket, desperately rooting for the Tar Heels (20-12, 13-7 ACC) to stun the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils (28-3, 19-1 ACC) and lock up an NCAA Tournament at-large profile, only served to further fuel the Knueppel fire within.

And in hilarious fashion, captured by the Duke basketball social media team below and bringing to mind a middle-aged Midwesterner stopping by the counter for a toothpick at a mom and pop restaurant after enjoying the Saturday evening lamb chop, he made sure to thank them on his way out:

"Thanks, guys," the 19-year-old Knueppel said to the Smith Center patrons with his simple wave goodbye, calm walk, and satisfied expression.

This go-round against the Tar Heels, Knueppel's efficient feast in 39 minutes of action featured a team-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field and 3-for-6 from deep. He added two rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer, now a two-time regular season sweeper of UNC in three years at the helm, and his No. 1 ACC Tournament seed Blue Devils have a double bye before the quarterfinals. They face either No. 9 seed Virginia or No. 8 seed Georgia Tech in Charlotte's Spectrum at noon ET Thursday (ESPN or ESPN2).