It looked like Texas Tech had Duke’s number on Thursday night in the Men’s NCAA tournament.
For the most part, the Red Raiders held Duke’s prolific offense in check during the first half. Thanks to a defense that ranked in the top-10 in the country in almost every relevant category, Texas Tech (who came into the game as 1-point underdogs) put Duke in a vise grip and refused to let go. A 33-29 first-half lead was nowhere near indicative of the Blue Devils’ offensive struggles. Surely no one in Durham imagined Mike Krzyzewski’s formal farewell tour ending at the hands of a defensive masterclass.
Folks, that’s why you play two halves in college basketball.
With their season on the line, Duke punched back at Texas Tech and found an answer to the gritty, disciplined, athletic Red Raider defense … to the tune of a lights-out, 17-of-24, shooting performance second half.
Duke is 17-24 in the 2nd half against the best defense in college basketball.
That’s king stuff.
— William Qualkinbush (@QualkTalk) March 25, 2022
I shouldn’t have to tell anyone this secret, but 70.8 percent shooting in the clutch against a defense that locks almost everyone down while throwing away the key is ridiculously good. We know Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore will get theirs for Duke. Thursday night was the sort of offensive performance where even Jeremy Roach found a way to make his mark by putting the ball in the basket. A 78-73 win was well-earned with good defense beaten by a better offense.
Texas Tech brought its A-game to the Sweet 16. In another year, against another team, they might have been on the verge of the Final Four. But not this version of Duke. This version of Duke was firing on all cylinders and looked unstoppable with their backs against the wall. As Texas Tech learned, sometimes it’s just not your year.
As for the Blue Devils, they suddenly look national title worthy. They can thank the Red Raiders for awakening the sleeping offensive giant inside.
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