Duke advances past Arizona State to NIT Championship Game
In Pictures - Click HERE for game photo gallery
Top Plays
Turning Point
After Arizona State rallied to tie the game with 13 minutes left, Kyle scored consecutive buckets to spark a decisive 19-3 run.
Blue Devil Ballers
Jon Scheyer scored 16 points and dished out six assists in the victory.
Duke Data
11 – Consecutive wins by Duke in the NIT Season Tip-Off
21 – Consecutive wins by Duke in the month of November
11-1 – Duke record in our past 12 games played in Madison Square Garden
.154 – Arizona State’s 3pt FG% in the game (2-13)
Coach K’s Comments
“It was a hard fought game. We knew it would be that way. You know, you play four games at home, and you’re running and shooting and things are going easy. And then all of a sudden, you’re going to be in a possession by possession game against a defense that you haven’t played against before. And against an offense that’s going to control tempo. With our team, we’re not a team that can force them by pressing and stuff like that. I thought after the first five minutes our kids really played well defensively. You know, the last 35 minutes of the game we gave up I think 38 points. We do that, we’re going to be put in a position to win. And they played good defense too. One of our objectives to start out the game was to limit their threes, so they made two. I thought our defense after the first five minutes was the key to the ballgame. And Singler, who was not having good shooting night, after that tim out in the second half, he came out and for him to hit those two buckets right away. I’m pleased with obviously the outcome but also our efforts against a very good team. They’re going to cause a lot of people trouble because they can control the ball.”
Locker Room Reaction
The victory gives the squad a chance to face UConn for a championship. Said Jon, “A championship here would mean a lot because this is like a Final Four or a Sweet 16 since you play two games in three days against two good teams. We’ll be ready and so will they.”
Sixth Man
Although we didn’t have the full Cameron homecourt advantage, there was a nice turn-out by Duke fans in MSG. Also, Duke Band alumni from the NYC area brought the instruments back out and gave us a lift.
Around the Web
Box Score – Stat recap
Scheyer Leads Duke – AP game recap
Duke beats Arizona State — Sun Devils are led by former NC State Head Coach Herb Sendek
Notes
*Next up: Duke vs. UConn in perhaps college basketball’s marquee matchup of the young season. The NIT Season Tip-Off championship game is Friday at 5:00 PM on ESPN.
*Duke and UConn are led by college basketball’s top two active leaders in coaching wins.
Fave Photo - Nolan attacks the bucket against the Sun Devils…
