Blue Devils Show Great Toughness and Heart in Big Garden Win over UConn
ESPN was running the pre-game promos hyping up the game every 10 minutes.
Dick Vitale was in the building and the building happened to be the world’s most famous arena.
The two winningest active coaches in the game were set to face off, with the most combined wins between two opposing coaches in NCAA history.
The stage was set, with TV and Internet media frequently debating who would win. Could Duke contain UConn’s outstanding guards? Could UConn limit Duke’s great outside shooters? Both teams have lots of size inside — Who would win the battle in the paint?
By the time the game tipped off, just about every scenario had been discussed except the one that played out on Black Friday in NYC. Certainly, if you had told anyone, from the media to the Duke coaching staff, that the Blue Devils would shoot under 30 percent for the game and the trio of Singler, Scheyer and Smith would convert 13 of their 52 shots attempts (with Kyle in foul trouble early), the obvious prediction would not have been favorable. Duke hadn’t won a game shooting under 30 percent since a stamp was available for fewer cents (three) than the number of NIT Season Tip-Off titles won by Duke all-time (four).
After an initial offensive flurry with both teams coming out swinging and the ball clubs on pace to score over 100 points apiece around five minutes in, it became clear this one wasn’t going to be pretty with both teams locking in on D. The door was open to the tougher, hungrier team and the Blue Devils put the hardhats on and went to work.
Before the game, Jon Scheyer had said, “I just want to be known as a competitor and I want to be known as a winner and this year obviously we have a lot to do, but I want to go out winning and just be known for being a competitor.” Jon then went out and made winning plays all night, handling the ball with confidence, leading the team, and playing great defense. He showed consistent control and poise, even when shots weren’t falling and the game was becoming increasingly physical.
With Jon providing great leadership and stability in the backcourt, the Duke bigs were relentless in the paint. In a combined 71 minutes on the floor, Zoubs, LT and Miles combined for 27 boards (15 offensive) and six blocks.
“Myself, Zoubs, and Miles played really big against their guys and they have a huge team,” said Lance. “We knew that if we played our hearts out like that, the outcome was going to be a win.” Lance went out and delivered a double-double, asserting himself as arguably the most valuable player on the floor with three blocks, a steal and great hustle plays to go with his 11 points and 10 boards.
It was a man’s game and the Blue Devils earned the W because our guys were a step quicker to loose balls and rebounds, displaying a focused intensity all week long that culminated in a solid 40 minute-performance at the Garden. Veteran upperclassmen LT, Jon, Zoubs, Kyle, and Nolan have been through it all, and the group displayed an impressive desire to win combined with a savvy understanding of how to make it happen.
“Duke physically handled us,” said UConn coach Jim Calhoun after the game. “Quite frankly, they outwilled us and did the things you need to do to win a game.”
“They just wanted the offensive rebounds more than us and that killed us,” said standout UConn guard Jerome Dyson.
“We missed 53 shots and we had 56 rebounds,” said Coach K. “You know, that’s a very unusual game. But it’s a game where both teams played with a lot of heart and we feel very privileged to have won this game and the NIT Championship.”
After all the debate about shooting, transition offense, athleticism, and size, this one ultimately came down to heart and will. And the Blue Devils proved, most importantly to themselves, that this team’s identity should start with its competitive spirit, unwavering grit, hunger to win, and considerable toughness.
