Tag: Duke basketball

Duke basketball handles Howard. What we learned in the Blue Devils’ big win

Duke’s Cayden Boozer (2) and Cameron Boozer (12) fight for the rebound with Howard’s Bryce Harris (34) during the first half of Duke’s game against Howard at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.

Ethan Hyman

ehyman@newsobserver.com

Durham

Duke fans had a lot to cheer Sunday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The “Brotherhood Run” came to an end as Howard coach Kenny Blakeney, who played on Duke’s 1992 national championship team, was given a nice round of applause before the game.

The noise level grew once the ball went up as the No. 5 Blue Devils began running the court and dunking at will on their way to a 93-56 victory over the Bison as Cameron Boozer had 26 points and 12 rebounds.

A day after the Devils’ 32-25 win over rival North Carolina, the football team took the floor during the first half to be honored and brought the Victory Bell with them. That had ‘em all standing and roaring in Cameron as the Bell clanged away.

Duke’s Isaiah Evans (3) heads in to slam in two in the second half of Duke’s 93-56 victory over Howard at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

The Blue Devils (7-0) will spend Thanksgiving Day in Chicago, where they will play Arkansas. But Sunday’s game was a nice holiday sendoff as Duke blended some efficient offense with its aggressive man-to-man defense for a comfortable victory.

The game was similar to the 100-42 win Friday over Niagara, coached by Greg Paulus, another former Devil guard. Against Niagara, it was Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II scoring a career-high 17 points as six players finished in double figures. Against Howard, it was Boozer leading the way and Ngongba adding 16 points.

Bryce Harris, a graduate guard, had 15 points for the Bison (3-4).

Both Paulus and Blakeney had their pregame moments with Mike Krzyzewski, their old coach, and a photo opportunity with Krzyzewski and Duke coach Jon Scheyer. Add in Johnny Dawkins in the preseason game against Central Florida, and it has been quite a Duke reunion.

What was learned Sunday about the Blue Devils?

Duke’s Caleb Foster (1) is fouled by Howard’s Travelle Bryson (32) during the first half of Duke’s game against Howard at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Blue Devils selfless on offense

Scheyer has praised his team early in the season for sharing the basketball on offense and the Devils do have a seemingly selfless group.

Cameron Boozer is always a first option, and will be this season. But Boozer also is willing to pass up a good shot to get a teammate a better one.

The big man has good hands and quick feet — Krzyzewski, on a recent podcast, said Boozer has “great” feet with his agility and mobility at 6-9 and 250 pounds.

During the first half Sunday, Cayden Boozer had a pass tipped and Howard was about to come away with a steal before Cameron Boozer quickly stepped in and snatched the ball out of the air, bailing his little brother out of a turnover. Boozer then whipped a pass to Brown under the basket for a dunk.

Early in the game, Cameron Boozer fired off a long inbounds pass to an open Evans for a quick dunk. The play happened so quickly and effortlessly that the Bison were caught completely flat-footed, causing Blakeney to call a timeout with the score 5-0.

Cameron Boozer got his points, of course. His teammates saw to that as he had 14 points and six rebounds at halftime, knocking five 5 of his 6 shots including a swished 3-pointer. Boozer added another 3-pointer from the key in the second half.

Howard can’t solve Duke’s defense

When Howard went to the locker room at halftime, it was facing a 52-18 deficit. Blakeney had seen his team make just seven of 29 shots, going 2-for-13 on 3’s in the half.

Blakeney ordered up timeouts. He shook up the lineups. He changed up the defensive assignments.. Call it a futile pursuit.

Duke’s Darren Harris (8) steals the ball from Howard’s Bryce Harris (34) during the first half of Duke’s game against Howard at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

The Bison weren’t getting any second chances, either. They had two offensive rebounds in the half. There also was the matter of turnovers – Howard had eight in the opening half that Duke converted into 12 points.

Scheyer obviously liked what he was seeing. He stayed seated for much of the game, sipping water, making his points. No pacing the sideline, although a few sloppy plays in the second half did get him up, hands on hips.

According to the KenPom.com rankings, Duke is in the top eight nationally in offensive efficiency (124.8, third) and defensive efficiency (93.3, eighth).

Sarr offers Devils versatility

Duke freshman Dame Sarr has such versatility as a player. He’s thin but ultra quick. He can blanket his man on defense. He can run the floor, handle the ball, shoot the 3.

Sarr will make some mistakes and did Sunday. He had a turnover after he double-clutched on a shot, and later pushed off in grabbing an offensive rebound.

Bur Sarr and Maliq Brown give the Devils two lookalike wing forwards who are about 6-8 with long wingspans who can be suffocating defenders.

Chip Alexander

The News & Observer

In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.

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November 23, 2025
Duke basketball wallops WCU. What we learned from the Blue Devils’ big win

Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) heads to the basket as Western Carolina’s Abdulai Fanta Kabba (7) defends during the first half of Duke’s game against Western Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

Ethan Hyman

ehyman@newsobserver.com

Durham

Duke’s game Saturday against Western Carolina wasn’t so much about the score as the moments.

Or, for the No. 6 Blue Devils, some floor-burn moments.

Playing their first home game of the season at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Blue Devils ran over the Catamounts, 95-54, as Cameron Boozer had 25 points and eight rebounds.

It was Cayden Boozer and then Darren Harris skidding across the court hustling after a loose ball. It was Nikolas Khamenia saving the ball as he fell out of bounds, leading to a score. It was Cameron Boozer going to the floor to keep a possession alive, getting the ball to Maliq Brown and resulting in Harris shooting three free throws after being fouled.

The Duke bench including Caleb Foster (1), Patrick Ngongba (21) and Isaiah Evans (3) celebrate after Jack Scott hit a three-pointer during the second half of Duke’s 95-54 victory over Western Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Later, WCU’s Marcus Kell made a nice baseline move and tested Boozer under the rim. Bad idea. Boozer easily swatted away the shot.

Not everything went smoothly in the first half for the Blue Devils, but it mattered little against a WCU team that was 8-22 last season and lost its opener by 31 points at Cincinnati earlier in the week. The Devils, favored by 36 points, had the Catamounts outquicked and outnumbered, and that was reflected in the final score.

The Blue Devils struggled through most of the first half of their opener, against Texas on Tuesday in the Dick Vitale Invitational in Charlotte. Against WCU, they led by 24 points.

Duke’s Nikolas Khamenia (14) and Western Carolina’s Marcus Kell (23) go after a loose ball during the second half of Duke’s 95-54 victory over Western Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Duke used some tight defense in the second half to roll past the Longhorns, 75-60. The defense never rested Saturday in the second half as the Devils continued to contest everything.

Western Carolina was limited to 30.6 percent shooting — 4-for-26 on 3-pointers — and had 14 turnovers.

What did we learn about the Blue Devils in their second game?

Shooting the 3-pointer

The Blue Devils have a lineup of players who believe they can shoot the 3. Some can better than others, but many believe they can.

Isaiah Evans has the green light at all times and the guy they call “Slim” can light it up from the 3-point line. Darren Harris has a nice touch from 3.

But there are some who may have to be more judicious as the season moves along. With the inside threats of Cameron Boozer and Patrick Ngongba II and a number of slash-to-the-rim types, the Devils might look to attack the paint more and ease up on the 3s.

Duke was 3-of-17 from 3 in the first half Saturday. Cameron Boozer had five 3-point shots and missed four, getting most of his 14 first-half points on his inside strength and five made free throws.

Duke finished 10-for-32 on 3s.

Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) blocks the shot by Western Carolina’s Marcus Kell (23) during the first half of Duke’s game against Western Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Boozer builds a game

Much was made of Cameron Boozer’s start in his first college game. The freshman forward was scoreless in the first half against Texas and showed hints of irritation.

In Saturday’s game, Boozer began with a poor pass insider to Ngongba that was a turnover, then fouled WCU’s Marcus Kell on a drive.

But Boozer, as he did against Texas, built a game. The numbers came. By halftime he had 14 points and six rebounds and just missed a second double-double to start the season.

In the second half, he nailed a trio of 3-pointers, two from the left of the key and then a corner shot. He also finished with five assists.

One thing about both Boozers, large and small: they have a stoic demeanor, letting little bother them on the court. It will be interesting to see how that holds up in the big games to come.

Duke’s Patrick Ngongba (21) pulls in the rebound from Western Carolina’s Marcus Kell (23) during the first half of Duke’s game against Western Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

A different look to the rotation

Duke coach Jon Scheyer said Tuesday that the Devils still were “figuring out” the rotations and had an interesting one Saturday: Cayden Boozer and Caleb Foster playing together.

Cayden Boozer can run the offense and Foster can look to add offense. The two competed through preseason practice and Foster started both games as Boozer came off the bench.

But Boozer is always in sync with his twin brother on the court as the two play off each other so well. Foster, the 6-5 junior, can match up with taller guards and can share the ballhandling duties with Boozer.

Foster had two points at halftime Saturday but picked it up in the second half with some strong moves the basket and had six rebounds.

Cayden Boozer had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. At 6-4, he’s the shortest player on the Duke roster but he can help on the boards, as he did Saturday.

Late in the game, Boozer simply yanked the ball out of the hands of a WCU player. Fouled, he added two free throws.

This story was originally published November 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM.

Chip Alexander

The News & Observer

In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.
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November 8, 2025
Duke basketball holds off Tennessee. What we learned in Blue Devils’ exhibition win

Cayden Boozer (2) of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles the ball against Ja’Kobi Gillespie of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena on October 26, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Johnnie Izquierdo

Getty Images

There were 39 NBA scouts from 22 teams packed into Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday to see the Vols play Duke in an exhibition basketball game.

And to see Duke’s Cameron Boozer.

The freshman, a big man again playing very big, had 24 points and 23 rebounds to go with six assists as the Blue Devils surged in the second half for an 83-76 victory in their final exhibition warmup act.

The Blue Devils, ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, got 22 points from Isaiah Evans — 16 in the second half — and a solid 15-point, nine-rebound game from sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II.

“I thought Isaiah really hit some timely shots and then Cam was a force, an absolute force, throughout the whole game,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said on the Blue Devils’ radio network.

Boozer had everyone raving about his skill and power after the freshman’s 33-point, 12-rebound performance in a 25-point win over Central Florida in the Devils’ first exhibition. He backed it before a sellout crowd tinged with Tennessee orange, going 7-for-20 from the field and making nine of 11 free throws.

So much for the preseason exhibition part of the Duke basketball schedule. Next time out, it’s for real as the Blue Devils face Texas on Nov. 4 in the Dick Vitale Invitational in Charlotte.

Against UCF, the Blue Devils broke open a close game in the second half and bolted to a 96-71 victory. But that was at Cameron Indoor Stadium, before a boisterous home crowd.

The Vols, ranked No. 18, led nearly the entire first half Sunday, held a nine-point lead just before halftime and had a 43-37 cushion at the break. Their physical, aggressive defense — a staple under Tennessee coach Rick Barnes — forced the Devils into some rushed or bad shots and kept the Vols in front despite Boozer’s 13 points and 15 rebounds.

But the Devils, again, settled in during the second half. Evans opened the half with a 3, Ngongba had a dunk and Duke took its first lead on another Evans 3.

A jumper by the Vols’ Nate Ament, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds, trimmed the Duke lead to 75-72 with 2:59 left. But Duke’s Nikolas Khamenia made a couple of free throws and Ngongba had a key defensive rebound and blocked an Ament shot late.

A dunk by senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who finished with 19 points and eight assists, again made it a three-point game with 37 seconds remaining. Duke’s Caleb Foster then knocked down two more foul shots.

Duke was 10-of-27 from 3-point range — Evans making four 3s — but hit 25 of 27 free throws and had just seven turnovers.

“I’m really proud of our team,” Scheyer said on the radio network. “We came here on a fact-finding mission, to learn, and I think there are some facts we’re going to come away with of how we can be better.”

What was learned about Duke in the exhibition win?

Devils can be better on defense

Despite showing the late-game toughness to lock down the victory, Duke’s defense needs more work and Scheyer and his staff will see that the work is done. Bringing back Maliq Brown, at some point, also will help.

The Blue Devils’ interior defense came off a little too soft against the Vols in the first half. Ngongba picked up two early fouls and took a seat. And when the 6-11 sophomore returned later in the first half, he was called for a reaching foul some 30 feet from the basket. It was back to the bench again.

Head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on October 26, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Johnnie Izquierdo Getty Images

On one Tennessee play, Ament glided around Cameron Boozer and down the baseline for a dunk. Boozer was caught flat-footed a few other times defending the ball but not kept off the defensive boards — Duke had a 48-39 rebounding edge in the game.

Khamenia, at 6-8 and 230 pounds, has the capability to guard post players but was hit with two personals in the opening half as he tried to help inside on defense.

It again hurt the Devils that Brown was not available as the senior continues to recover from a knee procedure that has limited him in Duke’s preseason practices. Brown could play in the season opener against Texas.

Nikolas Khamenia (14) of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles against DeWayne Brown II of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena on October 26, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Johnnie Izquierdo Getty Images

Game should benefit Devils and Vols

Barnes, beginning his 11th season at Tennessee, was asked during the ESPN broadcast about the value of playing such an exhibition game as opposed to, say, a closed-door exhibition.

Barnes said what all college basketball fans like to hear– both teams should benefit from the tough competition of such a game. Barnes also thanked Scheyer on the broadcast for agreeing to play the game on the road.

Scheyer, in turn, liked the fact his team would have their first flight together, first hotel stay, first game on another team’s homecourt before a sellout crowd of more than 21,000.

It can be an adrenaline rush hearing the home crowd — the Cameron Crazies — cheering you on and was for the Blue Devils in the UCF exhibition. It’s more of a strain on the road and was Sunday as the Vols applied game pressure in the final minutes.

“I think we showed great composure, great competitiveness,” Scheyer said.

Dame Sarr of the Duke Blue Devils drives in for a dunk during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on October 26, 2025 in Knoxvil Johnnie Izquierdo Getty Images

Duke’s Sarr sees first action

While the Blue Devils’ Brown sat out the second exhibition, freshman Dame Sarr was available Sunday and was a nice lineup addition. The forward, who had been hampered by an oblique injury and missed the UCF game, had a dunk and a 3-pointer in the opening half as he got his first look in a game, albeit an exhibition.

The native Italian, rated a 5-star recruit, was playing for FC Barcelona in the Spanish league and Scheyer has noted how competitive the basketball is in that overseas league. Sarr is a slender 6-8 but has elite quickness and some pro-basketball savvy.

Sarr did appear to tire a bit midway through the second half during his first experience at game speed.

Chip Alexander

The News & Observer

In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.

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October 26, 2025
Blue Devils welcome back Johnny Dawkins and take exhibition win over UCF

Durham

It was quite the Duke homecoming Tuesday for Johnny Dawkins.

For the first time since 2008, the former Blue Devils All-America was back in Cameron Indoor Stadium, where his retired jersey — No. 24 — hangs in the rafters. He was a driving force, literally and proverbially, in Mike Krzyzewski’s first Final Four team in 1986 and an assistant coach on Coach K’s staff on the 2001 national championship team .

But while greeted warmly and loudly, Dawkins came back to Cameron not to take few bows but as the Central Florida coach, back to play Duke in the Blue Devils’ first exhibition game of the 2025-26 season.

Krzyzewski, his old coach, gave Dawkins a big hug before the game. The Blue Devils, ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll in Jon Scheyer’s fourth year as coach, then defeated Dawkins and the Golden Knights, 96-71, as Duke freshman Cameron Boozer showed out with 33 points and 12 rebounds.

Former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski bows to UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins during a ceremony before Duke’s exhibition game against UCF at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer is to the right. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

“I didn’t have a goal for myself, just to win the game and we did that,” Boozer said. “I mean, at the end of the day, as long as I’m competing, playing to win, all of those things are going to show up. “

The Blue Devils had a strong start, but the Golden Knights settled into the game and had the lead early in the second half before a 16-2 run pushed Duke into 64-50 lead. The Duke lead continued to grow.

“I would argue that Johnny Dawkins was as important a player who ever came to Duke and in what’s he done,” said Scheyer, who said he was recruited to Duke by Dawkins. “It was an honor to have him back. His team is older, athletic and gave us a lot of problems, which is good.

“I learned more about our team. It’s time to get on the floor and learn about your team. There’s a ton we have to work on, a lot we have to get better at, but I liked the competitiveness. I did like the fire that we showed.”

Cam Boozer leads the Blue Devils

Much is expected this season from the Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, and Cameron Boozer gave a preview of what could come in his first — and perhaps only — college season.

“Obviously, in your first game it’s natural to have jitters,” Cayden Boozer said. “But for him to have that confidence and belief in himself, to have a game like he had, doesn’t surprise me. I know the kind of player he is. He’s the best player in the country, in my opinion.”

Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) celebrates after making the basket after being fouled during the first half of Duke’s exhibition game against UCF at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

A load inside at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Boozer was too tough for the Golden Knights to handle. He scored on set plays, on lobs, on putbacks and hustle plays. He also slipped outside for a few 3-pointers and knocked down four to further fuel the crowd.

“It was a pretty good game,” Scheyer said, smiling. “He’s a warrior, man. I think that’s the best thing I can say about him. He’s a warrior, competitor. He’s just a big-time winner.”

It wasn’t a Duke blowout, as many might have expected in a first exhibition game against a UCF team that had completely remade its roster. The Blue Devils had a 40-39 halftime lead and trailed early in the second half.

The Blue Devils got off 21 shots from the 3-point line in the first half — including 13 of Duke’s first 15 shots — causing Scheyer to quip, “I thought we were going to break a record there for a second.”

Duke’s Isaiah Evans (3) drives between UCF’s Jamichael Stillwell (4) and Riley Kugel (2) during the second half of Duke’s 96-71 exhibition victory over UCF at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

The Blue Devils were 6-of-14 on 3’s in the second half, when they shot 54.8 percent from the field after a 33.3 percent first half.

“We settled in more in the second half,” Scheyer said.

Duke misses two injured players

While much has been made of Duke losing five players to the NBA after last season, led by Cooper Flagg, the Golden Knights have 13 newcomers and are one of five Power 4 teams that do not return a player who scored a point (at UCF) last season.

Dawkins, starting his 10th UCF season, was asked before the game about having so many new guys and quipped it can cause a coach to lose his hair — Dawkins already being bald.

The Blue Devils did not have senior Maliq Brown or freshman Dame Sarr available Tuesday. Brown continues to work his way back from a preseason knee procedure and Sarr was sidelined with an oblique injury.

Duke’s starting lineup had junior point guard Caleb Foster and sophomore Isaiah Evans in the backcourt, Patrick Ngongba II at center, with Boozer and freshman Nikolas Khamenia. Cayden Boozer and Darren Harris were the first two substitutes off the bench.

Khamenia, a rugged 6-8 forward from Los Angeles and another 5-star recruit, had 14 points and 8 rebounds and took a few hard falls as he drove to the basket.

Duke’s Nikolas Khamenia (14) is pressured by UCF’s John Bol (7) and Devan Cambridge (35) during the first half of Duke’s exhibition game against UCF at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

The Blue Devils bolted to a 16-4 lead as both teams were banging bodies on the defensive end but Duke was making some shots — Evans with a pair of 3’s and Harris another.

Cameron Boozer, who opened the game with a 3-point play, had 15 first-half points. That was offset by the good shooting of UCF’s Jordan Burks, a transfer from Georgetown who had 18 of his 21 points in the half.

Duke has a second exhibition game Oct. 26 at Tennessee before opening the season Nov. 4 against Texas in the Dick Vitale Invitational in Charlotte.

“I think we have a really deep team,” Cayden Boozer said. “It’s going to be somebody else’s night every game. We’re going to do the best we can, and whoever that guy is, we’re going to find him.”

This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 10:26 PM.

Chip Alexander

The News & Observer

In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.

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October 21, 2025
Celtics star, former Blue Devil Jayson Tatum reflects on Father’s Day on how being a dad changed his life and career :: WRALSportsFan.com

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer

BOSTON — BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum spent part of his Father’s Day thinking about how his son made him a better person — and probably a better basketball player, too.

Speaking at practice the day before Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Tatum acknowledged that he was “a little selfish” when he learned, as a teenager still in college with hopes of basketball stardom, that he would be a father.

“I’d be the first to say I wasn’t super-thrilled to find out I was going to be a dad, and quickly realized that it was the best thing that ever could have happened to me. There’s nothing better than being a dad,” Tatum said Sunday. “I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.”

Now 26 and in his seventh season, Tatum is a five-time All-Star who has led Boston to the Eastern Conference finals five times and to the NBA Finals twice. The Celtics lead the Dallas Mavericks 3-1 in the best-of-seven series; after missing their first chance to clinch a title on Friday, they have a second shot at an unprecedented 18th championship banner on Monday night.

Tatum had just turned 19 and was in his only year at Duke when he learned his girlfriend at the time was pregnant.

“I wasn’t ecstatic,” Tatum said Sunday. “I was a little selfish at that point because I knew that I was about to go chase my dream and be in the NBA. I felt like that was going to affect what people thought of me, affect where I went in the draft.”

Tatum was picked No. 3 overall by the Celtics, and Jayson Tatum Jr. – familiar around the Celtics as “Deuce” – was born in December of his father’s rookie season. Having a son helped the NBA star manage the expectations of his new wealth and fame, and the temptations that came along with them, too.

“It taught me a sense of responsibility,” Tatum said. “Nobody can help you or prepare you for what it’s like to be 19 and have millions of dollars.

“And I think — not that I think, I know — that having Deuce at that age grounded me. Because whatever decision I wanted to make, I had to make sure that he was taken care of. I couldn’t just up and go or do everything that some of my peers were doing because I had to go home and put him to bed. Or for Father’s Day weekend I was going out of town, or I had to skip out on this trip with my friends because it was my weekend with him.

“Not that it’s a sacrifice. I willingly would choose those things. But it has taught me a sense of responsibility — as well as just making the right decisions, knowing that there’s a 6-year-old ‘mini me’ essentially watching everything that I do and knowing that I have to be the best version of myself. I have to make the right decisions, because he’s always watching.”

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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June 16, 2024
N.C. State and its 2 DJs headed to 1st Final Four since 1983 after 76-64 win over Duke

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — Bruising big man DJ Burns Jr. plays with plenty of joy, skipping on and off the floor and interacting with North Carolina State fans that he often works into a frenzy with slick moves and a soft-touch shot.

“I was raised in a happy environment,” Burns said. “I try to take that with me everywhere I go.”

Now, he can take that to the desert for the Wolfpack’s first Final Four in four decades.

Duke had no answers for DJ Burns on Sunday.

LM Otero

The 6-foot-9, 275-pound Burns scored a season-high 29 points on 13-of-19 shooting, DJ Horne had 20 and 11th-seeded N.C. State beat Atlantic Coast Conference rival Duke 76-64 in the South Region final Sunday.

N.C. State (26-14) is back in the national semifinals for the first time since the late Jim Valvano was sprinting around the court looking for someone to hug after winning the 1983 national title with an upset over Houston and Phi Slama Jama.

“These guys are so special,” seventh-year coach Kevin Keatts said. “Nine elimination games or you go home.”

These Wolfpack (26-14) head to Glendale, Arizona, with the most losses ever for a Final Four team, but on a winning streak that began after losing their last four regular-season games, and seven of nine. They had to win five games against past national champions in five days in the ACC Tournament, including a win over Duke in the quarterfinal round, just to get into the 68-team NCAA Tournament field.

Now they will play 7-foot-4 All-American Zach Edey and Purdue in the first national semifinal game on Saturday before defending champion UConn takes on Alabama.

“I’ll say like I’ve been saying the whole tournament. When I stop having fun with basketball, I’ll stop playing,” said Burns, who was voted the South Region’s most outstanding player. “There’s just been a total switch in our commitment. Nobody’s being late to things. Nobody’s being a problem on the court. Everybody’s come together.”

Fourth-seeded Duke (27-9), which ousted top-seed Houston in the Sweet 16 two nights earlier, missed out on its second Final Four in three seasons after leading by six at halftime and maintaining that margin with 16 1/2 minutes left.

But soon after Keatts was called for a technical foul with 8 minutes left, his team was well on its way to becoming the seventh double-digit seed to make the Final Four since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Jared McCain made both free throws for the technical that Keatts got after officials ruled a missed shot by Duke’s Kyle Filipowski that went over the backboard and off the shot clock went off one of his players.

A minute later, Ben Middlebrooks had a steal that led to a fast-break 3-pointer by Michael O’Connell. There was a foul called on Duke’s Mark Mitchell while the ball was in the air, so the Wolfpack got the trey, kept possession and Burns made another nifty basket inside for a 53-42 lead.

O’Connell had six points, also finishing with 11 rebounds and six assists.

McCain led Duke with 32 points, the freshman guard hitting 8 of 20 shots and making all 11 of his free throws. Jeremy Roach had 13 points while sophomore center Filipowski had 11 points and nine rebounds before fouling out with 4:52 left and the Blue Devils already down eight.

“Just give credit to State. They’re on a hell of a run right now,” Roach said. “We weren’t us today.”

None of the double-digit seeds have even made it to the national championship game, but Wolfpack fans chanted “Why not us, why not us?” before their team cut down the nets in Big D – about 1,200 miles from Tobacco Road where the N.C. State and Duke campuses are only about a half-hour drive from each other.

During the game’s first media timeout, they even got to watch on the big video boards in the arena as the N.C. State women dribbled out the final 26 seconds of their regional final victory over Texas to also advance to the Final Four.

Burns, who had only four points — but seven assists — in the regional semifinal against Marquette, hit short jumpers on the Wolfpack’s first two shots of the game. But those were their only consecutive makes before halftime while shooting 26.5% (9 of 34) and trailing 27-21.

They certainly turned that around with a 55-point second half in which they made 19 of 26 shots (73.1%). Burns, who had eight points in the game’s first nine minutes before his second foul, went 9 of 11 after halftime.

Duke made only 19 field goals the entire game, shooting a season-worst 32.2% on its 59 attempts. The Blue Devils became the sixth consecutive opponent held under 40% shooting by N.C. State.

“We never had any rhythm on offense,” second-year Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “They started to score more and our offense, it was probably the most disjointed game that we’ve played all year.”

Duke had held its first three March Madness opponents to fewer than 60 points. The only other times the Blue Devils had three-game streaks like that in the tourney were in 2010 and 2015 – their last two national championships. Scheyer was part of both of those, first as a player and then as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski.

Burne and Horne were named to the South all-region team along with Filipowski, McCain, and Marquette’s Tyler Kolek.

North Carolina Gov. Cooper joined in on the Wolfpack celebration Sunday evening after he tweeted a gif in honor of the team’s big win.

WATCH | March Madness: Duke outslugs No. 1 seed Houston 54-51 to set up Elite 8 showdown against NC State

DJ Horne scored 19 points to help keep NC State’s magical postseason going and help the Wolfpack reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 1986.

UP NEXT

N.C. State and Purdue are meeting in the NCAA tournament for the first time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

SEE ALSO | NCAA women’s tournament: NC State tops Stanford 77-67, reaches Elite Eight

RELATED | March Madness driving big revenue from NC sports betting launch; $141 million paid out in winnings

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April 1, 2024
Filipowski scores 16, Duke beats Houston 54-51 in Sweet 16 after All-American Jamal Shead hurt :: WRALSportsFan.com

By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer

13Duke Blue Devils 54

2Houston Cougars 51

Final

DALLAS — DALLAS (AP) — Kyle Filipowski and Duke got pushed around again in the NCAA Tournament. This time, the Blue Devils responded to set up a Tobacco Road showdown in Big D for a spot in the Final Four.

The 7-foot sophomore center had 16 points and nine rebounds, Jeremy Roach scored all 14 of his points after halftime, and Duke advanced to the Elite Eight with a 54-51 win over top-seeded Houston, which played the final 26 minutes Friday night without All-America point guard Jamal Shead after he turned his right ankle.

Even with Shead on the bench, the fourth-seeded Blue Devils (27-8) had to overcome a physical defense that has been one of the best in the country all season. They won despite a season low in points.

“Any questions about their mental toughness or their heart, I think they answered those tonight,” second-year coach Jon Scheyer said.

Duke was ousted in the second round a year ago when Filipowski, Roach and the Blue Devils were bullied in a 65-52 loss to Tennessee, their fewest points last season.

“This game right here was that same type of game. Just a great, gritty team and their culture. Just seeing the togetherness, how we didn’t quit out there tonight, that really shows the growth from last year,” Filipowski said. “We remember how upset we were from last year, and we didn’t want to repeat that again.”

They didn’t, and will play in the South Region final Sunday against an Atlantic Coast Conference rival, No. 11 seed North Carolina State.

The Wolfpack, the only double-digit seed left in this NCAA Tournament, beat No. 2 seed Marquette 67-58, their eighth win in a row in a streak that included a 74-69 victory over the Blue Devils just two weeks ago in the ACC Tournament.

“It’s going to be crazy. A rematch of the ACC Tournament,” Roach said. “They’re on a crazy run.”

L.J. Cryer scored 15 points for Houston and J’Wan Roberts had 13. Shead finished with two points on 1-of-5 shooting with three assists and two steals.

Shead departed with 6:38 left in the first half after his right foot turned awkwardly on a drive while missing a contested layup. By then, he had been on the floor under the basket for about 15 seconds while play continued at the other end until Houston got the ball after a Duke miss.

The senior guard, who has been part of 120 wins at Houston in his four seasons, reached for his foot when he went down and then pulled his jersey up over his face. He walked gingerly to the locker room after getting tended to by an athletic trainer, then sat on the bench throughout the second half. He limped off the court after the Cougars (32-5) became the second No. 1 seed knocked out — a night after North Carolina lost to Alabama.

“I hate that it ended like this. I wish I could have got back out there and at least been in the fight,” Shead said. “It would have been different if I could have at least limped around a little bit and fought a little bit.”

The Blue Devils trailed 16-10 when Shead exited, and never led until Tyrese Proctor’s two free throws made it 21-20 with 2:46 left in the first half. They never trailed again.

“It didn’t feel like a fair fight. Two of theirs equals one of Jamal. That’s how good he was. You don’t have another one of those,” Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson said. “You don’t have the best defensive player in the Big 12. You don’t have the guy who made all the big shots at the end.”

Duke never led by more than six points, the last at 54-48 on Roach’s jumper in the lane with 1:15 left. Emanuel Sharp converted a three-point play with 48 seconds left for the Cougars, and they got the ball back one more time after a miss by Filipowski with 25 seconds left.

A tough 3-point try by Sharp over Proctor was no good, and there was less than a second on the clock when Houston guard Mylik Wilson was out of bounds on the floor when trying to get the rebound.

Duke finished with 14 turnovers, but that was after three on its first four possessions and falling behind 8-0 in the first 3 1/2 minutes.

ELITE ACC

The ACC has three teams in the Elite Eight, including Clemson, which faces Alabama in the West Region final on Saturday. The league is 11-2 in this NCAA Tournament, and that includes Virginia losing in the First Four.

LONG-RANGE MAKES

Duke has made a 3-pointer in 1,224 consecutive games, which is the nation’s second-longest active streak. UNLV’s run of 1,227 games making a long-range shot is on hold until next season. The Runnin’ Rebels made five 3s in their season-ending NIT loss Wednesday night.

UP NEXT

Duke made its 24th Elite Eight, matching Kansas for the third-most times getting that far in March Madness — trailing Kentucky (38) and North Carolina (29).

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

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March 29, 2024
March Madness: Duke gets past Vermont 64-47 in first round :: WRALSportsFan.com

By Mike Fitzpatrick, AP Sports Writer

Vermont Catamounts 47

13Duke Blue Devils 64

Final

Jared McCain and Mark Mitchell each had 15 points, and No. 4 seed Duke opened the NCAA Tournament with an uneven performance before finally pulling away from 13th-seeded Vermont for a 64-47 victory Friday night.

Jeremy Roach scored 14 for the Blue Devils (25-8), who were able to advance without much offensive production from star center Kyle Filipowski. The sophomore took only one shot and scored a career-low three points, though he did grab 12 rebounds.

Seeking its sixth national championship, Duke will face No. 5 seed Wisconsin or 12th-seeded James Madison in a South Region second-round game Sunday in Brooklyn.

Shamir Bogues had 18 points for Vermont (28-7), playing in its third consecutive NCAA Tournament as America East champions. Aaron Deloney added 14 for the Catamounts, who had won 10 straight games.

Coming off two consecutive losses to in-state rivals, including an ACC quarterfinal flop against North Carolina State, the Blue Devils had trouble putting away Vermont until late in the game. Tyrese Proctor finished with 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting for Duke, which outscored the Catamounts 20-2 at the free-throw line and 10-0 in points off turnovers.

Even in New York City, where Duke has a large alumni network and fan base, the pesky Catamounts had the crowd chanting “UVM! UVM!” when they cut their deficit to two early in the second half.

McCain answered with a 3-pointer, and Duke finally started to establish some sustained breathing room midway through the second half.

A hush fell over the crowd with 1:18 left when Vermont’s leading scorer, TJ Long, went down with a serious-looking injury. Long was about to go up for a breakaway layup when his right knee buckled and he dropped to the floor. After receiving attention from an athletic trainer, he was helped off the court to applause.

Duke played without Caleb Foster again after coach Jon Scheyer said Thursday that the freshman guard will sit out the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his right ankle.

The team had hoped Foster (7.7 points per game) could return during the NCAA Tournament, but he missed his sixth consecutive game. Foster saw multiple doctors and even tried to practice this week, but Scheyer said Foster “wasn’t able to be himself.”

Duke went on an 8-0 spree in the first half and it appeared the Blue Devils were poised to break it open when they established a 10-point cushion.

But the Catamounts answered and cut it to 34-29 at halftime. Long and Deloney each tossed in a circus bucket to beat the shot clock, after Vermont coach John Becker received a technical foul earlier in the half for yelling at an official.

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March 22, 2024
March Madness: Duke takes on Vermont, NC State and UNC advance to second round

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The most exciting two days of college basketball are finally upon us. The NCAA tournament Round of 64 begins with North Carolina and North Carolina State on the docket Thursday and Duke playing Friday.

Duke

The Blue Devils enter the NCAA tournament on a two-game losing streak. They dropped their last two games against rivals North Carolina and North Carolina State. Worse for the Blue Devils is the fact that no college team has ever lost its first game of a conference tournament and then won a national championship.

The Blue Devils enter as a No. 4 seed and look to avoid an upset against Vermont.

But that doesn’t mean Duke is dead. The team has the talent to get back on track with its winning ways.

The Blue Devils (24-8) are a No. 4 seed playing at 7:10 p.m. Friday in Brooklyn against 13 seed Vermont (28-6). This is the fourth time those teams have met; Duke has never lost against the Catamounts.

NC State

Some felt NC State wasn’t supposed to be here. The Wolfpack proved they belonged.

Some felt NC State wasn’t supposed to be here. The Wolfpack proved they belonged.

NC State (23-14) used a strong night from its frontcourt to take control in the second half and subdue No. 6 seed Texas Tech 80-67 on Thursday night.

Ben Middlebrooks scored a career-high 21 points, Mo Diarra added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and DJ Burns Jr. chipped in with 16 points as the Wolfpack frontcourt feasted on the Red Raiders.

DJ Horne also tossed in 16 points as the Wolfpack shot nearly 51% from the floor to Texas Tech’s 38.7% shooting.

NC State’s Ben Middlebrooks battles inside against Texas Tech’s Warren Washington at the NCAA tournament on Thursday night.

Gene J. Puskar

It was the Wolfpack’s first NCAA tournament win in nine years and the first under head coach Kevin Keatts.

Joe Toussaint led the Red Raiders with 16 points, but Texas Tech made just 7-of-31 3-pointers and couldn’t keep pace in the second half.

NC State broke the game open with a 13-2 surge midway through the second half, highlighted by a pretty bounce pass from Michael O’Connell that turned into a dunk by Diarra and a soft running hook shot by Burns that made it 65-51.

Texas Tech’s Joe Toussaint shoots past the defense of NC State’s Casey Morsell on Thursday night at the NCAA tournament.

Matt Freed

The sixth-seeded Red Raiders (23-11) had relied on defense to reach the tournament in coach Grant McCasland’s first season. Texas Tech came in 18-0 when holding opponents under 70 points and just 5-10 when teams reach that threshold.

N.C. State hit the 70-point mark on a layup by Middlebrooks with 4:06 to go.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround in the past 10 days for N.C. State, which entered the ACC Tournament as the 10th seed and was dealing with questions about coach Kevin Keatts’ future. The Wolfpack responded by beating rivals Duke, Virginia and North Carolina, the last in a decisive victory in the title game.

Keatts admitted he was worried about how his team would respond emotionally against an opponent it barely knows. Turns out N.C. State was just fine thanks to Middlebrooks, a transfer from Clemson who has been a key reserve but rarely the focal point.

WATCH | NC State’s big win

NC State Wolfpack beats UNC Tar Heels, wins the ACC Tournament and earns NCAA March Madness bid

That changed against the Red Raiders. The 6-10 Middlebrooks tied his career high of 14 points set in January against Wake Forest in the first half. He kept going in the second. And when Burns – who plays a throwback under-the-rim game – got going after halftime, Texas Tech was scrambling to keep up.

It couldn’t, sending N.C. State to the second round for the first time since 2015, when the Wolfpack won two games in Pittsburgh to reach the Sweet 16. Another chance awaits this weekend against Horizon League champion Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies (24-11) stunned No. 3 Kentucky (23-10) 80-76. The results ensure that a double-digit seed will reach the Sweet 16.

“Everybody’s got confidence now. Everybody,” Diarra said.

UNC

North Carolina was the first of the Triangle schools to take the court in this year’s tournament, beating Wagner 90-62 in Charlotte.

The West Region No. 1 seed Tar Heels (28-7) came out sloppy in the first half, committing six turnovers that Wagner (17-16) converted into nine points.

Armando Bacot had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and North Carolina never trailed.

Hubert Davis’ team steadied the ship quickly and started to use its size advantage against the Seahawks — finishing the first half with a 24-12 advantage on points in the paint.

UNC led Wagner 40-28 at halftime and steadily pulled away.

Armando Bacot had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and North Carolina never trailed.

UNC’s Armando Bacot drives to the basket against Wagner in Thursday’s opening round of the NCAA tournament.

Chris Carlson

Jae’Lyn Withers had a season-high 16 points and matched his best rebounding work with 10 boards for the West Region’s headliner. That helped the Tar Heels finish the game shooting 55% while dominating up front against a short-handed upstart aiming to pull off only the third opening-round takedown of a 1-seed in March Madness history.

“I think he did set the tone,” Davis said, and he added: “J-Wit, his energy and effort on both ends of the floor really ignited us and got us the lead going into halftime. He came off the bench and his production was real.”

UNC’s Armando Bacot shoots over Wagner forward Keyontae Lewis on Thursday during the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Chris Carlson

RJ Davis, named this week as a first-team All-American by The Associated Press, had 17 of his 22 points after halftime for the Tar Heels.

UNC also played with the backing of a blue-clad crowd about 2 1/2 hours from its Chapel Hill campus. And the Tar Heels will have that again for the next step: a marquee matchup with Michigan State (20-14) and Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo on Saturday. It’s a rematch of the 2009 national championship game. The Tar Heels won that game, to give head coach Roy Williams his second national title.

RJ Davis scored 22 points for the Tar Heels against Wagner.

Mike Stewart

The Tar Heels dominated this one inside, finishing with 48 points in the paint and a 43-24 rebounding advantage to go with 17 second-chance points.

Withers had scored in double figures only three times all year, the last time coming against his former Louisville program on Jan. 17.

The UNC basketball team practiced at Johnson C. Smith, a Charlotte HBCU that means a lot to Hubert Davis.

“(Davis) typically challenges us before the game and sometimes at half, saying, ‘It doesn’t need to be only an Armando Bacot rebounding game or a Harrison Ingram rebounding game,’” Withers said.

Melvin Council Jr. and Julian Brown each scored 18 points for the Seahawks, who won their first-ever NCAA game by holding off Howard in the First Four on Tuesday night. Wagner shot 39.7% for the game.

“I was happy for them to be able to compete in this, and I was really proud the way they competed,” Seahawks coach Donald Copeland said. “Obviously what we’ve gone through all year isn’t ideal, but we expected to play well. We expected to win the game. Obviously, we didn’t. But I’m glad the way we played.”

UNC had the clear edge inside against a team with only seven available scholarship players and only one – 6-foot-9, 255-pound Keyontae Lewis – offering any notable size. By halftime, the 6-10 Bacot had a double-double after getting multiple deep-block touches while the 6-9 Withers showed plenty of energy in the paint by tallying his first double-digit scoring output since Jan. 17.

The Tar Heels gradually stretched that lead out after the break. That included Davis and Harrison Ingram hitting back-to-back 3-pointers, followed shortly by an alley-oop dunk in transition from Elliot Cadeau to a high-flying Withers for a 70-50 lead with 8:33 left.

The Tar Heels got another comfortable setting to start the tournament. They improved to 35-2 in NCAA games in their home state, including 13-1 in Charlotte. Notably, the lone loss came in their last tournament game here: a second-round loss as a 2-seed to Texas A&M.

Tar Heel fans excited about team’s chances in NCAA tournament

Looking ahead, Izzo’s Spartans have lost all four meetings with UNC in the NCAA tournament. The time of the game and the channel on which it will air have not yet been announced.

Back in Chapel Hill, Maggie Casey was celebrating her 17th birthday this weekend, and a UNC victory was just what she wanted to start the party. She and her friends cheered on the Heels from Top of the Hill on Franklin Street.

“I’m thrilled for everything. Go Heels all day,” she said.

Look at the full 2024 Men’s NCAA Bracket

WATCH | NC State Wolfpack fans elated after ACC Tournament win

North Carolina State is heading to the NCAA Tournament after beating North Carolina 84-76 in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title game.

The Associated Press contributed.

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March 22, 2024
ACC Tournament: NC State explodes past Syracuse 83-65, sets up showdown with Duke

WASHINGTON (WTVD) — NC State put together one of its most complete performances of the season in routing Syracuse 83-65 in the second round of the ACC Tournament on Wednesday night.

The Wolfpack led 35-32 at the half. Syracuse opened the second half on a 7-2 spurt for a 39-37 advantage but N.C. State answered with a 21-4 run for a 58-43 lead with 12:33 remaining.

DJ Horne scored 11 points during that stretch and capped it with a dunk. Jaydon Taylor made a pair of 3-pointers. The Orange pulled within 60-50 but didn’t get closer.

NC State’s Michael O’Connell and DJ Burns Jr. celebrate after O’Connell hit a 3-pointer Wednesday against Syracuse.

Alex Brandon

The Wolfpack scored 30 points from 19 Syracuse turnovers.

“We’ve just been as locked in as we can be,” Horne said. “I feel like we’ve been locked in as we have been all season and going into this tournament, we just kind of went in with a why-not-us mindset, and I think we’re showcasing that right now.”

NC State (19-14) had dropped both games to Syracuse in the regular season but this third meeting was drastically different and revenge was sweet.

After winning two consecutive games in the tournament, it doesn’t; get easier for Kevin Keatts’ squad, which advances to face No. 2-seeded Duke at 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.

NC State forward Mohamed Diarra battles for a rebound with Syracuse guard Justin Taylor on Wednesday at the ACC Tournament.

Nick Wass

But just like in an opening-round win against Louisville, it was a total team effort for the Wolfpack, which had four players in double figures and got 14 rebounds, eight points and six assists from Mo Diarra. Jayden Taylor scored a team-high 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Michael ‘Connell made all three of his 3-point attempts and finished with 16 points. DJ Burns Jr. added 15 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Horne, N.C. State’s leading scorer, scored all 16 of his points in the second half. The 6-foot-1 senior injured his hip in the regular-season finale at Pittsburgh and did not play in the Wolfpack’s win against Louisville.

“I’m feeling good,” Horne said. “To get hurt, with the last couple of games of my season … it was definitely tough on me mentally but my teammates, my coaches, the staff, they did a great job of me getting treatment and making sure my head stayed in it, and I’m glad we were able to come out here and get this win.”

Judah Mintz scored 21 points to lead No. 7 seed Syracuse (20-12). Maliq Brown, Chris Bell and Quadir Copeland added 11 points apiece.

FLORIDA STATE 86, VIRGINIA TECH 76

Round 2 of the ACC Tournament got underway Wednesday with ninth-seeded Florida State taking down No. 8 seed Virginia Tech 86-76.

The Seminoles (17-15) advance to play No. 1 seeded North Carolina (25-6) That game will be a noon tip-off Thursday and can be seen on ESPN.

Florida State dropped both regular-season meetings with the Tar Heels, 78-70 on the road and 75-68 at home. Florida State hasn’t beaten North Carolina since the 2020-21 season.

Virginia Tech center Lynn Kidd battles Florida State forward Baba Miller underneath the rim at the ACC Tournament on Wednesday.

Susan Walsh

Jamir Watkins scored 12 of his career-high 34 points in the final three minutes and Jalen Warley added 18 points to help Florida State pull away in the second half.

Watkins was 9 of 15 from the field and 14 of 17 at the free-throw line to set a program record for points in an ACC Tournament game. He also had 11 rebounds and four steals. Warley made 8 of his 10 shots as Florida State shot 54% from the field.

Virginia Tech was 4-of-17 shooting in the opening 17 minutes of the second half. The Hokies also finished with 13 turnovers, leading to 25 points for the Seminoles.

Tyler Nickel sank a long 3-pointer with 7:28 left to tie it at 57-all, but Virginia Tech did not make another field goal until Sean Pedulla’s basket with 2:42 left to pull within 71-62.

Florida State took advantage of back-to-back Virginia Tech turnovers with layups by Warley and Primo Spears to take a 63-58 lead with 5:01 left. Another steal under the basket led to Warley’s fast-break layup to make it 68-58 at 3:06.

Each team turned it over on an inbounds play and Watkins was fouled before making two free throws at 2:49. Watkins added two more free throws at 2:30 and had an alley-oop dunk at 2:11 for a 74-65 lead.

Spears finished with 10 points for the Seminoles.

Pedulla scored 24 points, Nickel added 18 and MJ Collins had 15 for Virginia Tech.

Both teams shot 55% or better from the field in the first half. Virginia Tech shot 64% (16 of 25), despite going 4 of 11 from 3-point range, in the first half before finishing at 49%.

The Hokies fell to 18-14 and now wait for a possible NIT bid.

WAKE FOREST 72, NOTRE DAME 59

Kevin Miller scored 17 points, Hunter Sallis added 14 and Andrew Carr had a double-double as fifth-seeded Wake Forest handled 12-seed Notre Dame.

The Demon Deacons (20-12) will take on fourth-seeded Pitt in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Wake Forest lost to Pitt 77-72 in January before rolling past the Panthers 91-58 at home the next month. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

Wake Forest and guard Hunter Sallis powered their way past Notre Dame on Wednesday at the ACC Tournament.

Nick Wass

Carr had 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks and Cameron Hildreth scored eight of his 10 points in the second half. Wake Forest shot 46%, outscored Notre Dame 15-7 off turnovers, 16-7 on second-chance points and 38-14 in the paint.

ACC rookie of the year Markus Burton scored 21 points, making 12 of 12 from the line but only 4 of 16 from the floor for the Fighting Irish. Tae Davis added 16 points and Carey Booth 11. Braeden Shrewsberry, who led Notre Dame with 23 points in their 84-80 first-round win over Georgia Tech, had just five points on 1-of-9 shooting. The Irish shot just 29%, 20% in the second half.

Davis made 7 of 8 free throws for all of Notre Dame’s scoring early in the first half as the Fighting Irish went over six minutes without a field goal until a Davis bucket. Wake Forest took advantage, extending its six-point halftime lead to 16 midway through the second half with a 13-4 run during which Hildreth turned a steal into a three-point play and added a 3-pointer. Notre Dame didn’t get closer than nine thereafter.

Sallis hit a 3-pointer to open the game and the Demon Deacons led throughout. They were up by as many as 14 before the Fighting Irish worked their way back to trail 40-34 at halftime.

The Fighting Irish finished 13-20.

The final game of the night features Boston College (18-14) vs. Clemson (21-10) at 9:30 p.m. That game is on ESPNU.

ALSO SEE: When do Duke, UNC play? Full tournament schedule

SEE ALSO | Place your bets! Sports betting is up and running in North Carolina

The Associated Press contributed.

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March 13, 2024
No. 7 UNC leads No. 9 Duke into second half with ACC title on the line :: WRALSportsFan.com

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

7North Carolina Tar Heels 54

9Duke Blue Devils 46

ESPN | 2nd – 12:31

Durham, N.C. — Seventh-ranked North Carolina led the entire first half and carried a 40-31 lead into the second half against No. 9 Duke on Saturday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham.

The ACC regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in next week’s ACC Tournament are on the line.

UNC grabbed a 10-2 lead in the first four minutes with Cormac Ryan hitting three 3-point attempts. The Tar Heels extended their lead to 15 points on several occasions, the last time on a driving layup by Elliot Cadeau with 9:46 remaining.

Duke cut the deficit to seven before Jae’lyn Withers lay-in at the end of the half.

Ryan paced the Tar Heels with 10 points in the first half. Duke’s Jared McCain scored a game-high 11 points in the first half.

Cadeau and Duke’s Kyle Filipowski picked up two fouls in the first half. Cadeau played less than nine minutes in the first half.

Duke senior Jeremy Roach was 1-for-8 in the first half. Filipowski was 2-of-7. The pair combined for six points.

UNC stars RJ Davis (five points) and Armando Bacot (two) were likewise held in check. Instead, it was Ryan, Harrison Ingram (seven points) and Seth Trimble (six) who led the way.

ESPN’s “College GameDay” held its Saturday morning pregame show at Cameron Indoor Stadium. All analysts picked Duke to win at the end of the broadcasts.

Duke (24-6, 15-4 in the ACC)) has won three straight games. North Carolina (24-6, 16-3) enters on a five-game winning streak. The Tar Heels can earn the outright ACC title with a victory. The rivals will share the regular-season crown with a Duke victory.

In the first matchup between the two teams this season, North Carolina beat Duke 93-84 on Feb. 3.

Watch WRAL Sports’ postgame coverage of the “Battle of the Blues” on WRAL News +, antenna Ch. 34, Spectrum channel 34 or in the WRAL News app on your smart TV or mobile device.

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March 9, 2024
Duke’s Jon Scheyer says end of Wake Forest game ‘dangerous situation’ during court-storming

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Duke Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jon Scheyer was part of a weekly media gathering of ACC coaches.

This comes after Duke’s Kyle Filipowski appeared to be injured when students at Wake Forest stormed the court after beating the Blue Devils over the weekend.

In his post-game press conference Scheyer mentioned something needed to be done about the long-held tradition of court-storming in college basketball.

During today’s media availability Scheyer continued to say something needs to be done to protect the players when students storm the court.

“That can’t happen. Even in retrospect, you’re watching it back and there is a ton of attention on Flip (Filipowski) but if you go back and watch Jared McCain there is a student face to face with him. It’s a dangerous situation.”

He went on to say he hopes the ACC will do something to protect players right now and not wait until next season.

Scheyer said Filipowski’s status is still unknown for their next game against Louisville on Wednesday.

The Filipowski incident comes after college player Caitlin Clark ran into an eager fan who was also rushing the court after a big upset against Clark’s team.

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February 26, 2024
Who is Cooper Flagg? 5 things to know about top-ranked Duke commit

Duke men’s basketball landed ESPN’s top recruit in the class of 2024 on Monday when five-star forward Cooper Flagg announced his commitment via Slam Magazine.

Here are five things basketball fans should know about the 16-year-old star.

Flagg Is the Projected No. 1 Pick in 2025

Duke should make the most of Flagg’s presence on campus, since he probably won’t be there for long. According to most NBA Draft experts, he is projected to go at the top of the 2025 NBA Draft, and scouts have speculated that he could be “one of the better No. 1 overall candidates of the decade.”

Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, announced he’s committed to Duke. The 6’9, 16-year old averaged 26.8points, 12.4rebounds, 5.2 blocks and 4.7 assists, shooting 37% for 3, in the Nike EYBL 16U for Maine United this summer. pic.twitter.com/gwzt9JgqqA

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) October 30, 2023

At 6-foot-9, he can handle the ball in both half-court sets and in transition, and his passing is one of his best attributes.

“Comparing him to a single NBA player is very difficult because of how diverse his game is,” Flagg’s AAU coach Andy Bedard told ESPN. “The reality is, you’d have to take a premier skill set of multiple players and create a ‘super player’ that I don’t think we’ve seen before.”

A general view of the “Cameron Crazies,” fans of the Duke Blue Devils, during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 20, 2023, in Durham, North Carolina. Duke men’s basketball on Monday landed top recruit Cooper Flagg.
Photo by Lance King/Getty Images

Flagg Hails From an Unlikely Hometown

Newport, Maine (population: 3,133 in 2020) isn’t exactly a hotbed for professional basketball prospects, but Flagg put the tiny town on the radar of scouts. During his freshman season, Flagg attended Nokomis Regional High School, where he became the first freshman to win Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year award and led the school to a state title after a number of losing seasons.

The next summer, Flagg and his twin brother Ace transferred to Montverde Academy, which is one of the premier prep basketball programs in the country. At Montverde, he impressed in several high-profile showcases, including the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts, and raised his profile nationally.

Flagg was slated to announce his commitment last week, but he opted to wait in the wake of the Lewiston shootings just over an hour from his hometown.

“All of our focus should be on supporting the victims, their families, and law enforcement,” Flagg wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Everything else can wait. My heart is with Maine.”

Flagg Lists Larry Bird as a Major Influence

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the region where he grew up, Flagg fashioned parts of his game after NBA legend Larry Bird. He told Slam Magazine that his family would put on clips of the Celtics from the 1980s in the car when they traveled hours to and from AAU games.

“We would always either have the ’85 or ’86 Celtics championship games on or the Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird movies. It instilled Bird’s mindset within me and Ace. How he was always the hardest worker, no matter what,” recalls Cooper. “Especially from that Celtics team that played against the Rockets, it was more about the teamwork and the ball movement.”

Flagg Has Already Impressed NBA Stars

Perhaps Flagg’s best performance of the summer in 2023 came when he impressed at Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s camp with his athleticism, size, length, competitiveness and skills.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum was impressed by Flagg’s mindset after Flagg attended his camp (like Flagg, Tatum went to Duke).

“He’s got an edge about him, not arrogant,” Tatum told Jeff Goodman. “He knows he’s good, but he realizes he’s got a long way to go. He’s going at guys, going at the pros. He was trying to block every shot, getting every rebound. He wasn’t playing cool. He was playing hard, competing. He was asking questions a lot, listening.”

Duke Has a Stacked Recruiting Class

Top prospects don’t always make a college basketball team a contender, given that they are much younger than other programs that feature fifth-year seniors and transfer-portal stars. Still, the Blue Devils now have Flagg (No. 1), Isaiah Evans (No. 8), Kon Knueppel (No. 22) and Darren Harris (No. 45) out of the graduating class of 2024 (all rankings via ESPN). They are also reportedly still in the running for Dylan Harper (No. 2).

Expect the Blue Devils to be one of the NCAA’s biggest stories next year.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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October 30, 2023

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