Duke faces Michigan State in Coach K's last tourney
For the second time in three days, Duke prepares for what might be coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last game. The Hall of Fame head coach will retire after this season, and now that March Madness has begun, the ending is never more than 40 minutes away.
The 2-seeded Blue Devils got off to a fast start against Cal State Fullerton on Friday and never really had to face the prospect of Coach K’s career mortality. Today, against Michigan State and fellow Hall of Famer Tom Izzo, at Greenville, SC’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena, things could get dicier with a Sweet 16 berth at stake. Izzo ended Krzyzewski’s hopes of another Final Four with a win in the 2019 Elite Eight, beating Duke’s Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett team. That improved Izzo’s record against Krzyzewski to 3-13. Izzo joked on Saturday that Duke has “beat us like a drum” over the years, although Coach K downplayed the record, saying they don’t hang banners for coaching records against other coaches.
Duke will start the same lineup as in the NCAA opener, with Jeremy Roach replacing Trevor Keels. The starting five will be Wendell Moore Jr., Roach, Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams and A.J. Griffin. The Spartans counter with Max Christie, Joey Hauser, A.J. Hoggard, Marcus Bingham Jr. and Gabe Brown. Brown leads the Spartans in scoring at 11.4 ppg, although Hauser tied a career high with 27 points in his last game—a win over Davidson on Friday.
Officials for today’s game are Bo Boroski, Lee Cassell and A.J. Desai.
Duke looking a little off early. Michigan State out-scrapping the Blue Devils, also stripping and blocking Duke shots. Duke doesn't look ready for the physical play. Both teams are hitting their shots though, and it's 11-9 MSU at the under 16.
At the under 12, MCU still up, 16-13.
Duke was relying on pull ups and fade aways early. A hard foul from Hauser on Williams seems to have served as a wake-up call and Blue Devils have been attacking rim lately. Duke pulls ahead 21-16 at the under 8.
Five straight possessions produce three-pointers, with Michigan State getting three of them. Spartans cut it to 31-27 at the under four.
MSU hits two more threes after the break. Spartans are 7-of-10 from three for the game and have tied it. Gabe Brown is 4-for-4 from deep
Michigan State's string of seven straight makes is broken and Duke, who has made five straight, calls time to set up the last shot of the half. 37-35 Blue Devils with 17 seconds left.
Williams dunks with four seconds left and a MSU three-quarter court shot rims out, so it's 39-35 Duke at the half.
Both teams have traded 5-0 runs near the start of the second half. Michigan State dominating the offensive boards this half, which is keeping them in the game. 48-42 Duke at the under 16.
Michigan State going to the line after the under 12. Duke leads 59-52, driving to the basket and scoring right now.
Sloppy possessions on both ends and Duke calls time. Blue Devils lead 61-57 with the ball. 9:17 to go
Second time this half Michigan State has beaten everyone down the court. This time, it cuts the lead to 63-61. 8:24 left to play.
Roach short on a floater, Hoggard outruns everyone to the rim and ties it at the line. 6:03 to go.
Three MSU fouls on one possession puts Duke into the bonus, but Banchero misses the front of a one-and-one and MSU hits a three. Spartans lead.
Duke turnover and foul. MSU going to the line, up three, 5:10 left. Blue Devils self destructing.
Duke scores four straight to cut it to one and appeared to rebound a MSU miss but Banchero called for a foul. MSU to the line after the under 4. 70-69 Spartans, 3:43 left.
Keels ties it with a three. Banchero gives Duke the lead with a layup. 75-74 Duke, 1:55 left.
Here we go.
Another Duke block, that's back-to-back possessions. Roach for three. Duke up 4 with 1:07 left. MSU time out
Banchero steal and two free throws. 80-74, 59.4 left.
Going to replay for an out-of-bounds ball originally called Duke's way. 16.5 left, 81-76 Blue Devils
Duke ball. One second added to the clock. Moore fouled and hits 2. Three possession game.
On to the Sweet 16. Duke wins, 85-76. Coach K reaches 1,200 career wins.
