Kyle Singler nets 20 as Blue Devils roll past Arkansas-PB to advance in the Big Dance
In Pictures — Game Gallery
Turning Point
Duke never trailed in the game, rolling to a 22-7 lead midway through the first half.
Blue Devil Ballers
Kyle recorded a double-double with 22 points (7-12 FG, 3-5 3pt) and 10 boards. Jon Scheyer added 13 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 3pt) and Lance Thomas scored 12.
Duke Data
44 — Points allowed by Duke, third-fewest by a Blue Devil team in NCAA Tourney history
41 — Rebounds in the game by Duke, compared to 24 for UAPB
72 — NCAA-record wins by Coach K all-time in the Big Dance
29 — Second-round NCAA Tourney appearances by Duke in the program’s 34 trips to the Dance
30 — Wins on the season by Duke, marking the NCAA-record 11th time under Coach K that the Blue Devils have hit the 30-win mark
Coach K’s Comments
“Well, I thought it was more of a workmanlike performance by our team. George’s team is going to play hard for 40 minutes, and they played, for us, a little bit unconventional because they’re spreading you, they have different zones and stuff like that, trapping. Overall I thought our guys handled it well, and our defense was excellent. You know, we’re more talented than they are, but I thought we played as hard and we played very well. So, I am happy with my team and happy to be moving on.”
Locker Room Reaction
The Blue Devils wanted to come out attacking with energy and excitement. The team pressed early and pressured UABP defensively all game. Said Kyle, “We just want to be aggressive throughout the whole game. One of the keys to the game for us was just attack, attack their defense. I thought we got to the line, and shot the ball from the free throw pretty well.” Added Jon, “I thought that was the key in the first half to set a tone. We really just wanted to keep them in front because they spread you a lot, and we wanted to play great team defense. We didn’t want to leave someone out there just playing one-on-one against them because that’s how they can be successful. So for us, I thought we did a good job of helping each other out and then getting the rebound.”
Sixth Man
The crowd featured a solid amount of Duke Blue, not only on tee-shirts but also on at least a couple of heads (as seen here and here). Also, Duke/March legend Christian Laettner, a Florida resident these days, made the trip over to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena to support his Blue Devils.
Around the Web
Box score — Stat recap
AP recap — Duke routs UAPB
Quotes — Postgame thoughts from Coach K, Jon, Kyle (PDF)
Duke gets easy win — Duke rolls to second round
Ready for second round — Blue Devils quickly shift focus to date with Cal
Duke cruises — A rout in Jacksonville
Notes
*Next up: Duke faces 8th-seeded Cal on Sunday at 5:20 PM (CBS). The Golden Bears defeated Louisville after Duke knocked off UAPB.
Fave Photo
Blue Devils defeat GA Tech 65-61 to win ninth ACC Tournament in 12 years
In Pictures — Championship Celebration | Game Photos
ACC Tourney Top Plays
Turning Point
Jon Scheyer’s clutch three-pointer with 18 seconds left was the difference as it pushed the Duke lead to four points after Georgia Tech had closed within one. Here’s a look…
Blue Devil Ballers
Kyle scored a team-high 20 points (14 of which 20 came from the charity stripe), while Nolan and Jon both added 16.
Duke Data
18 — ACC Tournament titles by Duke, the most in conference history
9-1 — Duke record in the program’s past 10 appearances in ACC championship games
9 — ACC Tournaments won in the past 12 years by Duke
12 — ACC Tournament titles won by Coach K (all other active ACC coaches have combined for three ACC Tourney titles)
Coach K’s Comments
“We’re ecstatic about winning the conference tournament and we feel honored to have been in this game. Some people say the tournament doesn’t mean as much but it certainly meant a lot to the teams playing today. That was one of the best games we’ve played in this year and the last couple years. They played really well, our kids played really well. Defensively, both teams were outstanding. When we got that 10-point lead, we missed a couple shots but we didn’t do anything wrong and they did everything right. They were a very poised basketball team and they didn’t lose the game, we won the game. Kyle’s free throws, Jon hit the biggest shot obviously, so we’re really proud, happy, tired, but a good, happy tired.”
Locker Room Reaction
Jon’s three-pointer was the gamebreaker and the biggest shot this year by a Blue Devil. Said LT, “I knew it was nothing but the bottom. I didn’t even go for the rebound.” The shot came with significant game pressure on the Blue Devils as Georgia Tech had run off a 9-0 spurt to close within one. “Even though I wasn’t hitting, I still wanted the opportunity to shoot the ball,” Jon said. “They set a really good screen for me, and I’m just happy it went in. I didn’t want to let my team down.”
Around the Web
Box score — Stat recap
AP recap — Blue Devils Capture 2010 ACC Championship
Game notes — Inside the numbers
Freshman makes impact — Andre Dawkins provides key minutes, buckets
Scheyer’s shot — Big 3 by Jon propels Duke to the title
Winning tournament never gets old — Blue Devils on top of the conference… again
Two in a row for Duke — All about winning for Scheyer, Devils
Back-to-Back — Blue Devils win ACC regular season and tournament titles
Notes
*Kyle was named ACC Tournament MVP, with Kyle and Nolan also earning First Team All-Tournament honors.
*Next up: Duke enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the South Region. The Blue Devils will open the Big Dance against either Arkansas-Pine Bluff or Winthrop on Friday (7:25 PM, CBS).
Fave Photo
Devils survive Hurricane attack with strong second-half effort, advance to ACC Final
In Pictures — Photo Gallery
Turning Point
Trailing by three at the break, Duke surged ahead with a 15-0 run early in the second half and led the rest of the way.
Blue Devil Ballers
Kyle had another outstanding performance, scoring 27 points, grabbing eight boards and dishing out six dimes. Jon added 16 and Nolan chipped in 12 in the victory.
Duke Data
11 — ACC Tournament finals appearances by Duke in the past 13 years (more than double any other program)
38 — Rebounds by Duke in the game, compared to 24 by Miami
48-17 — Coach K’s all-time record in the ACC Tournament
Coach K’s Comments
“Kyle was magnificent in the second half. We started driving the zone in the second half. Kyle really did that. I know he got some 3s. But there was that sense of purpose, like attacking the zone. We were playing against the zone in the first half. In the second half, I thought we attacked it, and it was personified by Kyle.”
Locker Room Reaction
The Blue Devils will compete with a championship on the line for the third time this year. Said Jon after the game, “We have been there, but if anything that just helps us knowing how tough it is. We’re fortunate to get through these tough games and we know whoever we play, it’s going to be a battle and we need to be ready.”
Around the Web
Box score — Stat recap
AP recap — Singler scores 27 as Duke edges Hurricanes
Duke looks to repeat — Devils ready for another shot at ACC Tourney title
Duke in Greensboro — Home away from home
Notes
*Next up: Duke and Georgia Tech meet in the ACC Championship Sunday at 1:00 PM (ESPN).
Fave Photo
Blue Devils hold off Cavaliers in second half to advance to ACC Semifinals
In Pictures — Photo Gallery
Turning Point
The Blue Devils took control of the game with an 11-0 spurt beginning with about six minutes left. Nolan Smith started the run with an offensive rebound and putback.
Blue Devil Ballers
Kyle Singler scored a game-high 18 points while hauling in 11 boards. Nolan and Jon both contributed 15 points.
Duke Data
85 — The win was Duke’s 85th all-time in the ACC Tourney, making Duke the all-time wins leader in the event
19 — Points by UVA in the second half, marking the fourth time this year Duke has held a team under 20 in a half
30-3 — Duke’s record in the ACC Tournament since 1999
Coach K’s Comments
“Winning the ACC is big, still, you’re looking ahead to next week (and the NCAA tournament). You’re wondering what’s going to happen, but somehow you have to create a sense of urgency for this moment, and I thought our team was able to do that by the second half. I thought it was a very workmanlike performance by our team.”
Locker Room Reaction
The Blue Devils were excited to advance and live another day in the ACC Tourney. Said Lance Thomas, “I want another ACC Championship. I got a taste of what it was like last year, and I am not satisfied by only having one. We have a regular season championship, but why not get both. We have a chance to play tomorrow, many team don’t have a chance to play tomorrow, there are no do-over’s in this tournament.”
Around the Web
Box score — Stat recap
AP recap — Duke holds off UVA
Duke finds its motivation — Devils rally in second half
Notes
*Next up: Duke faces Miami at 1:30 PM tomorrow in the ACC Semifinals (ESPN).
Fave Photo
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
