GREENSBORO — Duke’s lack of depth almost was too much to overcome in its 74-69 second-round NCAA win over Texas on Saturday in Greensboro.
Now, the Blue Devils will have to really sweat out the numbers game. In a third-round East Regional game on Thursday in Boston, the Devils (30-6) will face a 28-7 Villanova team that is among the deepest in the Big East.
In their second-round 89-69 win over UCLA, the Wildcats got 29 bench points, including 25 from guards Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes.
During much of the season, Villanova coach Jay Wright routinely used eight or nine players in his rotation.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski primarily goes with seven players, but got the most out of subs Nolan Smith (11 points, three assists) and Brian Zoubek (four rebounds) against the gritty Longhorns.
After leading 36-29 at halftime and by double digits in the second half, Duke ran into trouble when starters Lance Thomas and Kyle Singler fouled out. The Longhorns (23-12) eventually tied it at 69 with 1:07 left, but Smith bagged two free throws to push the Devils back ahead to stay with 47 seconds to go. Singler left with 17 points, but the Duke leader was Gerald Henderson with 24, plus six rebounds.
The good news for Duke in Boston is it finally gets to face an opponent its own size. Wright normally starts 6-8 Dante Cunningham, 6-6 Dwayne Anderson, 6-5 Shane Clark, 6-2 Scottie Reynolds and 6-4 Reggie Redding with the 6-1 Fisher and 6-5 Stokes first off the bench.
In the ACC Tournament championship win over Florida State, the Blue Devils easily overcame a size deficit. But in two losses to North Carolina and another at Wake Forest, taller lineups gave Duke trouble.
Whatever, Duke’s dramatic win was enough to put a happy face on a miserable weekend for its league. Seven ACC teams earned NCAA bids, but only Duke and Carolina are still standing. Four lost opening games and Maryland was roundly dismissed by Memphis earlier Saturday in the second round.
To add insult to injury, Miami and Virginia Tech made quick, ugly exits in the NIT. So, the ACC turned out to be a two-team league again. Why should we be surprised?
Comments
"We respect Villanova"
Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:40 — gvillegatryou the fan (or graduate) doesnt have a clue whether or not DUIke basketball respects Villanova or not.
Holding on
Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:21 — coby70Duke is a problem for Villanova as well. I hope they do think we are easy, then we will blow them out. We respect Villanova, But they had better respect us too, or it could be ugly, for them. We are a very good team, but that doesn't count in the NCAA's when teams are trying to send you home. Duke didn't have it's A game vs Texas and still won. A, B, or C game, it's about winning by one point or 20 points, the winner advances. That's all I want for my team. You don't have to impress, Just win anyhow. Goooo Duke !!!!