Blue Devils pound Tar Heels on Senior Night to win ACC regular-season title
In Pictures — Game Gallery | Crazies vs. UNC | Senior Night Scenes | ESPN GameDay
Top Plays (and Senior Night Footage)
Turning Point
The Blue Devils hit three straight 3’s (one each by Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith) to race out to a 9-3 lead a little over two minutes into the game. Duke rolled from there, leading by as many as 30 in the first half.
Blue Devil Ballers
Kyle scored a game-high 25 points, which Nolan and Jon added 20 points each (which combining for 12 assists and zero turnovers). The Blue Devil trio outscored UNC in the game by a 65-50 margin. Zoubs was also strong in his final home outing, with eight points (4-4 FG) and 13 boards.
Duke Data
17-0 — Duke’s record in Cameron this year, a new Blue Devil record for most wins in a single season at home
8 — ACC regular-season titles won or shared by Duke in the past 14 years, including 2009-10 thanks to the win over UNC
27 — Duke’s lead at halftime, the biggest advantage at the break for either program in the history of the Duke/UNC rivalry
12 — ACC regular-season titles won by Coach K in his 30 years at Duke
.957 — Duke’s free-throw percentage in the game, a season-high (22-for-23)
42 — Consecutive wins by Duke against unranked opponents at home
20-10 — Duke’s record in the past 30 games against UNC
26.4 — Duke’s average margin of victory at home this year… Duke won every ACC game by at least 12 points and beat every home opponent by double-digits except for St. John’s (a nine-point win)
Coach K’s Comments
“Well we played a full 40 minutes and that was one of the best games we have played all year. Our defensive intensity was there throughout. We really cared for the ball offensively. Our two guards had no turnovers. Jon had seven assists and no [turnovers] and Nolan had five assists and no [turnovers]. Those three veterans on the perimeter set the stage in the first half with how they passed and moved and worked with one another. We played really well. I think we would have been tough to beat tonight against anybody. Our fans were great. Our seniors have been such a good group. They deserve this moment. I am really happy for them.”
Locker Room Reaction
Obviously the seniors were pleased that the outcome of their final home in Cameron secured an ACC regular-season title, a record undefeated season in Cameron and Duke’s largest all-time margin of victory over UNC in Cameron. Said LT, “When that game came here, we wanted to give it our best effort and we did. It hit me [that this is the last home game of his career], but I’m not looking at it as something sad. The way we took care of business tonight, I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life. And I want our younger guys to know that this is the level that you have to bring it to.”
Sixth Man
After camping out for as many as five weeks, the Crazies brought their A game. The DBP decibel meter was in the house and reached as high as 118 db (comparable to a turbo-fan aircraft at takeoff power at 200 feet) on the Nolan Smith drive and dunk.
Around the Web
Box score — Stat recap
AP recap — Duke mauls UNC
Quotes — Player/coach reactions
Big Three Light Up UNC — Singler, Smith, Scheyer score 65
Duke makes a statement – Blue Devils dominate Tar Heels
Cameron Crush — Perfect ending for Duke seniors
Devils stomp Heels — Well-deserved outcome for Duke seniors
UNC gives up without fight — Blue Devils roll in rivalry game
Fitting Goodbye for “Voice of Cameron” — Art Chandler concludes amazing 40-year run as PA voice in style
Growing Together — Jon, LT, Zoubs ready to battle on Senior Night
Notes
*Next up: The ACC Tournament begins Thursday in Greensboro and Duke’s first game will be Friday at noon. The Blue Devils will face the winner of the BC/UVA matchup (televised on ESPN2).
Fave Photos
