Duke Faces Miami For Slot in ACC Championship Game
Duke will play for its 34th trip to the ACC Tournament championship game when the Blue Devils take on Miami at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center on Friday night.
Duke earned a spot in the semifinals with an 88-79 win over Syracuse on Thursday that had the Blue Devils sweating a closer-than-expected game against the Orange.
Several Blue Devils were battling some type of stomach bug or food poisoning for the quarterfinal game, most notably AJ Griffin, who coach Mike Krzyzewski said was vomiting during the game and was limited to four points against Syracuse.
Everyone on Duke’s roster participated in pregame warmups, so the bug doesn’t appear to have rendered anyone incapable of playing.
Duke lost to Miami at Cameron Indoor Stadium in the only meeting between the Blue Devils and Hurricanes this season. The Canes are 23-9, 14-6 in the ACC and earned the No. 4 seed in the tournament. Miami survived an upset attempt by Boston College on Thursday, escaping on a buzzer beating layup in overtime.
Guard Charlie Moore had 18 points and seven steals to lead the Hurricanes against Duke back in January. The steals total was a season high, and he’s reached 18 points or more just twice since that game. Still, the Blue Devils will need to find a way to match up with him. Specifically, Duke will need to find a way to keep him from driving to the rim, where he hit five of seven shots in the first matchup.
Today’s officials are Bert Smith, Jamie Luckie and Tony Henderson.
Keels, Moore, Banchero, Griffin, Williams get the start for Duke
Not the best start for Duke. Charlie Moore is still a problem. He's 2-for-2 from three. Miami leads 15-7. Duke is shooting 3-11, Miami 6-8.
Next segment of the game didn't settle much. Theo John going to the line after the under 12 with Miami up 20-12.
Here comes Duke. Blue Devils cut the lead to 22-20, thanks to a big few minutes by Paolo Banchero. Miami has no matchup for him when he drives to the hoop. He has 11 points already
Duke tied it, but then Miami went on an 7-0 run triggered by a long three by Charlie Moore.
Williams hits a layup at the shot clock buzzer. They're checking the replay, but the break takes us to the under four. Miami leads 32-26 (assuming the shot was good)
No good. 32-24 as we come back.
An all-AJ Griffin 8-0 run ties it as we head toward half
Griffin now with 12 straight for Duke. Blue Devils setting up for the final shot of the half, down 2.
Roach scoops it in and we're knotted at 36 at the half.
After leading by 1 at the under 16 (which I couldn't tell you about due to internet issues) Duke has put some distance between itself and Miami. Hurricanes call time down 55-48. 11:23 to play.
Now it's Duke's turn to call time, after Miami cuts the lead to three. 8:17 to play. 59-56 Duke. Banchero is on the bench getting attention from the sports medicine staff. Possible cramps?
Banchero comes back onto the floor after the time out.
Miami is currently 2-of-7 from the free throw line.
Moore with a driving layup, block, driving layup. Miami hits a three. We're tied at 65, 4:42 left.
Four straight by Duke. Wong picks up his fourth foul for Miami, and we're at the under four. 69-65 Blue Devils, 3:27 left.
Moore hits two free throws. Three Miami players have four fouls now. It's 72-69 Duke, 58.6 seconds left. Here. We. Go.
Travel by Miami's McGusty. 47.2 left
Roach makes it a two possession game at the line, and Banchero rebounds the missed second FT
C. Moore layup. W Moore free throws. 77-71. 25 seconds left
Waardenburg for three. 77-74. 16.7 left. Time out Miami
Griffin to the line. 15.7 left. Makes it 2 possessions again
That'll do it. Duke advances to Saturday's championship game, 80-76
