SAN FRANCISCO — Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career continues for at least one more game, and his legendary stint at Duke is likewise likely to end with a sixth national championship.
After looking overwhelmed by Texas Tech’s suffocating defense at times, the Blue Devils responded with an inspired second half behind star freshman Paolo Banchero and 7-1 center Mark Williams and beat Duke to a 78 in the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Thursday. Won by -73. regional. It also marked Krzyzewski’s 100th tournament victory.
On Saturday, the second-seeded Blue Devils will face No. 4 Arkansas, who defeated top seed Gonzaga 74-68 to advance to the Final Four. If they go that far, Krzyzewski will set a record by making an appearance in the 13th Final Four, breaking a tie with UCLA’s iconic John Wooden.
Banchero and Williams combined their size for 38 points against the Red Raiders team, which had allowed an opponent 70 points only twice this season.
The game pitted Duke’s usual collection of blue-chip prospects bound for the NBA—top of them Banchero and guard AJ Griffin—against a gritty, experienced Texas Tech roster with multiple transfers and five upper classes in the starting lineup. feature. One of only Duke’s starts, junior forward Wendell Moore has played more than two seasons of college basketball. Of its five leading scorers, three are new players.
Playing in the Shadows: Arizona, Kansas could face NCAA penalties after tournament
sweet 16: Winners and Losers from Thursday’s Game
Result: male | women
The Blue Devils looked shaky in going 2-2 in their last four games before the NCAA, including a runaway loss to rival North Carolina in Krzyzewski’s final home game. Their two March Madness victories were solid, but less than impressive, let alone reaching the Final Four in New Orleans, raising questions about Duke’s ability to overtake the Red Raiders.
Duke was lucky to only go 33-29 at half-time after leading only once, when it went 24-22 up on the Jeremy Roach jumper at the 7:47 mark. The Red Raiders immediately started a 7–0 run from that point, but failed to capitalize on the Blue Devils shooting the remaining half for 2-for-12.
The renewed emphasis on taking advantage of their improved shape, especially the combination of Banchero and Williams, led to a comeback win.
