GREENVILLE, S.C. — Defensive play that had been lacking in No. 9 Duke’s late-season lull returned to propel the Blue Devils into the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 on Sunday.
Three key defensive plays in the final three minutes helped erase Michigan State’s two-point lead and the Blue Devils scored eight consecutive points and beat the Spartans 85-76 in a West Region game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The win, No. 1,200 in Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career, sends the No. 2 seeded Blue Devils (30-6) to the regional semifinals to play either Texas Tech or Notre Dame.