Nolan Smith scores career-high 29 points, Duke advances to 11th Final Four under Coach K
In Pictures — Game Gallery | Post-game Celebration
Turning Point
Trailing 61-60 after a Baylor bucket with 3:50 left, Duke pushed back with a 12-2 surge to take control of the game.
Blue Devil Ballers
Nolan enjoyed a performance that will be remembered for a long time, pouring in a career-high 29 points (9-17 FG, 4-6 3pt, 7-8 FT). Jon Scheyer also had a huge game, with 20 points (including 5-10 3pt) and four assists (with only one turnover). The Blue Devil bigs pushed Duke through at the end, with several huge offensive rebounds that led to kick-outs for 3′s. Lance Thomas (eight) and Brian Zoubek (four) hauled in 12 boards on the offensive end in the game.
Duke Data
11 — Number of lead changes in the game
23 — Second-chance points by Duke in the game (compared to 17 for Baylor)
47.8% — Duke’s 3pt FG% in the game (11-23 3pt)
15 — Final Fours all-time for Duke, including 11 under Coach K
11-1 — Coach K’s record all-time in the Elite Eight
2 — 3′s made by Andre Dawkins, on two attempts
Coach K’s Comments
“We won an outstanding basketball game. I thought it was a great college basketball game. It’s a great basketball game. Both teams played really well, and really hard. I think our offensive rebounding kept us in it and really was the key there to get some separation in the last four minutes. When we got those two offensive rebounds, one was kicked out to Nolan and he hit a three, and one was kicked out to Jon and he hit a three. At that point when you get six points, as a coach you think of two-point possessions. So you’re three two-point possessions up as a result of two shots and two rebounds. I thought it knocked them back for just a second and it gave us a little wiggle room where we just got that separation. These two kids played great basketball games. Nolan and Jon were fantastic in handling the zone, and then playing defense. Carter is a really good basketball player. He didn’t dominate, which he could in a ballgame. Nolan did a very nice job on him. So we’re ecstatic, proud, feel very honored and privileged to be going to the Final Four.”
Locker Room Reaction
Thoughts from seniors Jon, LT and Zoubs…
Jon: “I don’t know that it’s fully hit me. I’m sure after the year I’ll have a better appreciation. But right now, I’m just ecstatic.”
LT: “I can’t put it into words. It took us four years to get here and we’re not done yet.”
Zoubs: “We want to win it so bad for us, the senior class, but it feels just as good to win for Coach because we know how much stuff he’s taken the last couple of years, how much criticism he’s had and how hard he’s tried to help us. He’s been there every day, totally exhausted himself to make us better.”
Sixth Man
Baylor had the crowd on its side with the game being played in Texas. However, there were some Blue Devil fans mixed in among the sea of green and gold, including this supportive Crazie and this sign-making duo.
Around the Web
Box score — Stat recap
AP recap — Devils punch ticket to Final Four
Quotes — Postgame thoughts from Coach K, Nolan, Jon (PDF)
Devils did the dirty work — Duke enjoys Final Four moment
Smith honors father — Career game very meaningful to Nolan
No holding back Duke — Devils headed for Indy
Coach K’s legend grows — Hall of Famer reaches 11th Final Four
Reaching Final Four — Never going to be easy
Seniors get trip they’ve waited for — Four years of hard work will culminate in Indy
Notes
*Next up: Duke faces West Virginia on Saturday night in Indianapolis (8:57 PM EST).
Fave Photo
