Scheyer, Singler, Smith combine for 61 to push Devils to national title game
In Pictures — Game Gallery
Turning Point
After WVU hit a triple to trim Duke’s lead to 23-20 with 7:47 left in the first half, the Blue Devils responded with a 14-2 run to take control of the game. Duke connected on four of five three-point attempts during the spurt, three of which were made by Nolan Smith.
Blue Devil Ballers
The Devils put together perhaps their finest performance of the year, manhandling the Big East’s best and one of the toughest teams in America. “The Law Offices of Scheyer, Singler and Smith” combined to outscore WVU and Brian Zoubek added six points and 10 boards.
Duke Data
13 — 3′s made by Duke (13-25 3pt FG), matching the all-time national semifinal record for 3′s in a game
52.0% — Duke’s 3pt FG% in the game (13-25 3pt)
62 — Points scored by Scheyer, Singler and Smith (five more than the entire WVU team)
8 — National championship games reached by Coach K
64 — Wins by Duke over the last two seasons, most in the NCAA
12 — Combined assists for Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith (with zero turnovers)… Duke had only six TO’s as a team in the game.
11 — Offensive rebounds hauled in by Duke, which led to a 19-7 Blue Devil advantage in second-chance points (including a 12-0 difference in the first half)
Coach K’s Comments
“Well, our team played really well tonight. Thought our defense was outstanding. Our care for the ball was excellent, to get 20 assists and only six turnovers. These two guys (Jon and Nolan) had 12 assists and no turnovers. All three of our perimeter guys had outstanding shooting games. So I thought we were difficult to guard as a result of that. And we guarded well. Zoubek really asserted himself on the board. Some of his offensive rebounds really turned into big plays for us when he kicked it out. So, we beat a really good team, and I thought we played an outstanding game.”
Locker Room Reaction
Zoubs: “It’s everything. This is the culmination of four years for me. To have a shot at the championship my senior year, after everything we’ve been through, is a dream come true.”
Sixth Man
Duke is certainly not the most popular team in town but there are quite a few Blue Devil fans around Indy. Inside Lucas Oil Stadium, the student section of each team is placed behind their respective band so approximately 500 Crazies who made the road trip were able to do their thing. After the game, the team received a large welcome back at the hotel.
Around the Web
Box score — Stat recap
AP recap — Duke routs W. VA
Quotes — Postgame thoughts from Coach K, Nolan, Jon (PDF)
Notes — Facts/figures from the game
No softness in this Duke team — Blue Devils strong against Big East’s toughest team
Smart play fuels Duke — Devils are title-game bound
Duke’s big chance — Devils 40 minutes away
Coach K’s legend grows — Hall of Famer reaches 11th Final Four
Duke returns to final — With a different style
Devils back in familiar role — Ready to take shot at title
Notes
*Next up: Duke faces Butler in the national championship game on Monday (9:21, CBS).
*Among the former players in town for the Final Four: Mark Alarie, Billy King, Tommy Amaker, Johnny Dawkins. Shane Battier, Mike Dunleavy, Dahntay Jones, Josh McRoberts, Jay Bilas, Jeff Capel, Greg Paulus, Kenny Dennard, Gerald Henderson, Roshown McLeod, JJ Redick, Phil Henderson, Lee Melchionni, Ryan Caldbeck, Justin Caldbeck, Andy Means, and Matt Christensen.
Fave Photo
Tags: "Ncaa tournament", "west virginia"
