DURHAM - There was no doubt what was at stake early in the second half as Tulsa stubbornly hung with Duke on the Blue Devils’ home floor.
If Duke had lost, ESPN’s SportsCenter almost certainly would have pounced with highlight packages and graphics asking what’s wrong with the Blue Devils and the ACC. Editors would have rejiggered the front pages of sports sections to trumpet a stunning upset.
Alas, Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and the Blue Devils’ defense made everybody’s job easier Thursday night as fifth-ranked Duke pulled away for a 70-52 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Smith scored six straight points in a string of 11 in a row for Duke early in the second half as the Blue Devils turned a tie score into a 45-34 advantage and ran to their seventh straight win. Scheyer made two 3-pointers in two minutes from in front of the Duke bench as the Blue Devils pulled away.
Eleven of Smith’s 18 points came in the second half. Singler scored 17 and Scheyer 15, and Duke held Tulsa to three points over a stretch of 7 minutes, 2 seconds in the decisive early portion of the second half. The Golden Hurricane was held to 22 second-half points.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski knew how important Thursday’s game was, and he communicated that message to students via an Internet video invitation to a meeting with the team in the practice gym Wednesday night.
Students said he asked them to be amped up for Tulsa (19-9) in what was Duke’s last home game before the March 6 regular-season finale against rival North Carolina.
For a few minutes, Krzyzewski’s concern appeared unwarranted. It started as the game you might expect from the No. 5-ranked team in the nation at home against an opponent with an 8-5 record in Conference USA.
Duke (24-4) scored 14 of the first 18 points and caused Tulsa mistakes with stifling defense that included some full-court pressure. But the Golden Hurricane also was determined on defense and athletic enough to keep Duke’s players from getting easy shots in the lane.
Over a period of 5:03 late in the first half, Duke made just one field goal as Tulsa tied the score 28-28 on a rebound basket by Bryce Pope with 3:10 remaining in the half. The tone of the noise at Cameron grew more urgent, particularly among the students.
Krzyzewski lobbied the referees. He shouted at Brent Hampton after no call was made on a missed shot by Smith. Krzyzewski had a long conversation with Mike Stuart during a timeout.
After a tiebreaking 15-footer by Scheyer, Duke bounced back to lead 34-30 at halftime. But Tulsa tied the score with an alley-oop dunk by Jerome Jordan and two free throws by Justin Hurtt in the opening minute of the second half.
Brian Zoubek (10 points, 11 rebounds) started Duke’s decisive surge with a rebound basket. Smith added a reverse layup, two free throws and a pull-up basket from the free throw line, and the Blue Devils were off to the races to improve to 15-0 on the season at home.
Comments
Sad Day for the Tar Heels
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:26 — DukeAlumniWow, this has been a horrible season for the Tar Heels. How sad that is that the only two fans they have left have resorted to making childish comments about a Duke team that is ranked number 5 (which is about 75 spots higher than the Tar Heels RPI) in the nation with a 24-4 record (which is ten more victories than the Tar Heels) and coming off an 18 point victory (didn't the Tar Heels loose by 12 to FSU...I can't remember, I've stopped paying attention) over a team that is 19-9 (that is five more victories that the Tar Heels). I hope they can win the next couple games, otherwise the spanking the Tar Heels are gonna get on March 6th will really push them over the edge.
if youy're going to make fun of the Heels ...
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:31 — gvillegatrat least get it right.
DUIke is exactly 100 spots better than UNC in the RPI.
It is nothing a couple of glasses of red wine can't take care of. As well as TWO national titles in the last FIVE years.
Thanks for the clarification
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:38 — DukeAlumniThanks for the clarification...
Good luck with drinking your sorrows away and living in the past!
dukealumni!!
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 10:55 — bluecat69bluecat69i noticed on several of g-alligator post, he refers to drinking, which makes me believe, he is not only a loser, he is a DRUNK, ok, go duke!!!!!!
POOCAT
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 22:51 — redcat69DKUE FANS ARE THE ONES THAT DRINK THEY CANT WIN IN THE RBC CENTER 88-74 WAS THE SCORE, HOW DOES THAT FEEL TOO BAD COACH K WASNT ABLE TO BRING IN JOHN WALL, BUT WE KNOW HE TRIED AND PAID HIM BECAUSE THATS HOW HE GOT ARMY ON 4 YRS PROBATION OK GO STATE!!!!!!!
i'm sure I am not alone in this
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 13:50 — gvillegatrdoes anyone else get disappointed when they see a blog with "new posts" only to click on it and bluegnat has all the comments or most of them?
I am.
i'd just as soon it be anyone but him. there simply is no substance in your posts. not that there ever was. its just stupid, HS drool that 80% of the time has nothing to do with what someone had to say to begin with.
an example:
UNC's Will Graves had a good night tonight. -anyone
Droo 11 sux. Roy cheated at KU. OK. Go Duke!! - your response
Me too
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 14:06 — JPDOhioWhich is why I refuse to respond to anything he posts. It is a huge waste of time.
Guys like that make the repeal of the 1st Amendment somewhat attractive.
TUNNEL-VISION!!
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 15:39 — bluecat69bluecat69TAR-HOLE FANS THINK THE BB WORLD EVOLVES OUT OF CRAPPEL-HILL, HOLE FANS ARE SO TAINTED-SPOON-FED WITH THAT BABY BLUE CRAP, THAT THEY THINK THEY ARE THE ONLY TRUE BB TEAM PLAYING, IT IS A BABY BLUE SICKNESS, WELL THEY ARE GETTING THEIR COME UPPINGS THIS YR. MAYBE NEXT YR. SKY-HOOK HENSON WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW IORN WITH HIS SHOT. GO DUKE!!
POOTCAT
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 22:54 — redcat69DKUE THINKS THEY ARE THE ONLY SCHOOL THAT EXISTS AND TRY AND SAY THERE ATLETES ARE SMART BUT WE ALL KNOW THEY JUST MAJOR IN SOCIOLOGY, THEY CANT BE LIKE JULIIUS HODGE AND GET A REAL DEGREE, I HEARD HE GRADUATED WITH A 4.1 AND TURNED DOWN A ROADS SCHOLARSHIP OK GO STATE!!!!!!!!
FESS-UP DITTY!!
Sat, 02/27/2010 - 15:21 — bluecat69bluecat69DITTY IS TRYING TO MISLEAD ALL OF THE POSTERS ON THIS SITE, HE CALLS ME EVERY NIGHT AND WANTS TO TALK TO ME ABOUT HOW GOOD DUKE IS , HOW HE JUST LOVES COACH K, AND HOW BAD THE HOLES ARE AND OL ROY HAS LOST IT " HIS QUOTE' , GO DUKE!!!
DONT LIE 2 URSELF POOCAT
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 22:55 — redcat69U KNOW U LOVE THE WOLFPACK THAT IS WHERE AMAZING HAPPENS LIKE 88-74 OK GO STATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lets clarify something
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 10:30 — gvillegatr"living in the past" is usually brought up when one wants to talk aout how things were back a generation or two ago or when one is sitting at their 20 yr HS reunion reliving the days of no responsility.
It usually doesn't refer to less than five years ago much less 11 months ago!
no, thats what the jealous refer to.
whine, whine whine, whine, whine, whine, whine, whine
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 09:46 — bluecat69bluecat69based on the comments from tarhole fans, do u see why they call them carawhiner?? now that they have the worst team in the acc, all they can do is whine , they are so jealous of the mighty blue devils, that they dont know how to handle it.ok, go duke!!!!!!!!!!! remember we are DUKE and they are the losing HOLES, go devils!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
POOTCAT DRY UR TEARS
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 22:57 — redcat69U KNOW U WISH YOU COULD WEAR THE RED AND WHITE IT IS A PRIVILEGE THAT U CANT EXPERIENCE BECAUSE U R ONLY A CLOSET FAN BUT WE'LL GET U OUT OF THE CLSOET SOONER OR L8R OK GO STATE!!!!!!!!!
whine, whine whine, whine, whine, whine, whine, whine
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 09:46 — bluecat69bluecat69based on the comments from tarhole fans, do u see why they call them carawhiner?? now that they have the worst team in the acc, all they can do is whine , they are so jealous of the mighty blue devils, that they dont know how to handle it.ok, go duke!!!!!!!!!!! remember we are DUKE and they are the losing HOLES, go devils!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's be logical
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 23:37 — Heels20I'd rather suffer in the present knowing that there's a good chance we'll win a title in the next 3 years than enjoy the present, all the while knowing that my team is not at all equipped to win a national title in the near future (cough Dookies).
HOLE-20!!
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:02 — bluecat69bluecat69what in the he-l makes u think the holes will ever win another title? they now have 7 that made the all hardees team, and all they can do is lose, just because they have 3 more coming, dont equate into wins the big problem as i see it is--ol roy, maybe he can call coach k and get some advise, ok, go DUKE,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
POOTCAT!!!
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 22:59 — redcat69DONT U KNOW STATE WILL PLAY DUKKE AGAIN IN THE ACC TUORNAMENT AND WE WILL BEAT YOU JUST LIKE IN THE RBC CENTER REMEMBER 88-74 GET USED TO IT, WERE GOING TO WIN A NATIONAL TITLE THE RIGHT WAY OK GO STATE!!!!!!!!!!!
Duke Tulsa game
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:25 — foreverdukeI must be reading something wrong, I thought this was a Duke article . Once again its turned into something about UNC. I didn' t read anything about Hansbrough in this article. First of all congratulations Duke on the win. Second don't knock Nate James or Brian Zoubek. James was a good player for Duke and Zoubek just keeps getting better. He has helped so much especially in the last four games. I don't know what your problem is man but you are letting your hate for a team make you look like a very poor sport. The refs didn't cause Tulsa to lose this game. They played us well the first half, but we played the second half better. So what is Duke's way, must be winning cause thats what they are doing! Seriously, get some help on your hate issues. Go Duke!
no
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:39 — gvillegatryou read it right. your converted ncsu football fan to DUIke bball fan, wjolly, felt the need to bring the creator of Hansbrough Indoor Stadium into this evenings blog.
I thought you were more intelligent than this, FD.
Second, i'll knock Nate James all I want to. the guy has zero business on the bench at DUIke. It was obviously a last resort for the fella.
If we were all that (un)lucky ...
obscurity?
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 21:40 — gvillegatrare you talking about Tyler Hansbrough or Hasheemy Thabeet? B/c I agree if you are talking about the 2nd pick in the draft who was just demoted to the D League.
I hardly call (Tyler's) 8.5 pts and 5 rebounds a game "obscurity." especially when he comes off the bench. It is ashame he is going through some health issues that was not caused on the bball court.
don;t mess with the bull, son.
THE BULL-SH-T!!!
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:05 — bluecat69bluecat69HANS-FLOP, IS A FLOP, OK,GO DUKE!!
POOTCAT PAULUS
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 23:01 — redcat69R U GREG PAULUS????? HE KNEW HOW TO FLOP BETTER THAN ANY ONE I HEARD HE GOT A JOB WITH A MOVIE COMPANY MAYBE HE CAN MAKE MILLIONS AS AN ACTOR SINCE HE COULDNT DO IT AS A BASKETBALL PLAYER U KNOW THAT IS A GOOD IDEA OK GO STATE!!!!!!!
Yup
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 22:15 — Heels20I love it when people try to talk trash about Hansbrough. You can call us arrogant elitists. You can call us a poor basketball team at the moment. But negative things about Hansbrough? Okay, a guy with a clean record off the court, who on the court was a 4-time 1st team All-American, the 2007-2008 POY and a national champion. All-time leading scorer in the ACC and all-time leading rebounder at UNC. As Gatr said, he's face health issues in the NBA that aren't related to basketball, but when he plays, he's been good. So really, it just makes me laugh when someone tries to take a weak jab at someone of Tyler's status.
what I REALLY enjoy is
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 21:24 — wjollywhat I REALLY enjoy is seeing a Tarheels fan complain about over the backs and arm-hooks when the zen-master of the form was playing for the beloved Tarheels just last year...just knew old Ty would sink into obscurity once in the NBA....
hate me or not
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 20:29 — gvillegatrand, yes, I am a hater on DUIke. no question.
but this game was taken out of Tulsa's hands in the first 5 mins of the 2nd half courtesy of the refs.
DUIke and their "tough" defense.
un Fing believable.
nate james
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 20:20 — gvillegatrwho knew he was such a dominant inside coach!? man, he is working wonders with Zoubek on his pushing, over the backs and arm hooks.
kudos, Nate! it is the DUIke way!
CELLER-DWELLER
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:08 — bluecat69bluecat69ZOO IS AT THE TOP AND ZELLER IS AT THE BOTTOM, DOES THAT TELL U ANYTHING?????GO DUKE!!!!!
POOTCAT
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 23:03 — redcat69ZELLER IS NO GOOD CAROWHINA EITHER HAS FAT BOY SEAN MAY OR TYLER CELLERMAN WHO WEIGHS LESS THAN RYAN HARROW BUT RYAN HARROW IS GOOD UNLIKE TYLER CELLERMAN OR SEAN MAY, U KNOW I BET HE COULD BE BETTER THAN BRIAN ZOOPECK IF HE PLAYED DOWN LOW OK GO STATE!!!!!!