PHILADELPHIA, PA – Duke became the final team to punch their ticket for the Sweet Sixteen, which now sets up arguably the premier coaching showdown in the regional semifinals in Indianapolis on Friday night.
With the Blue Devils’ 66-50 victory over 7th-seeded Creighton, Mike Krzyzewski will now match wits with Michigan State’s Tom Izzo for the right to advance to the Elite Eight. The two coaching icons have a combined 17 Final Four appearances between them (Krzyzewski 11, Izzo 6), and five National Championships (Krzyzewski 4, Izzo 1).
But in the early stages of the second half on Sunday, the Krzyzewski-Izzo showdown was in jeopardy, as Creighton trailed by a narrow 29-27 margin. Duke would pull away, however, and eventually earned a 16-point win. Rasheed Sulaimon led the Blue Devils’ attack with 21 points, with Seth Curry adding 17.
Creighton star Doug McDermott had 21 for the Bluejays, but endured perhaps his worst shooting night of the season from the field, connecting on just four of 21 attempts…though he did hit all 12 of his free throw attempts. McDermott also grabbed nine rebounds.
Scott Graham and John Thompson called the action on Westwood One Sports.
(Plumlee follows his own miss as Duke grabs early lead)
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(Thornton beats the buzzer at the half as Duke leads 29-23)
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(Curry connects from long distance as Blue Devils extend advantage)
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(Sulaimon gets into the act as Duke is headed for Sweet Sixteen)
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(Postgame interview with Duke’s Rasheed Sulaimon)
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(Philadelphia wrap-up with Scott Graham and John Thompson)
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