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Duke got here into their second-round matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers as one of many hottest groups within the nation. They rolled by means of the ACC match and dominated their first-round opponent, Oral Roberts. However Tennesse grabbed an early lead and By no means regarded again.
The Volunteers Get Scorching, Keep Scorching From Deep
Tennessee, the East’s fourth seed, delivered a dominant efficiency of their second-round matchup in opposition to Duke within the NCAA match. The Volunteers showcased a ferocious defensive effort, restricted the younger Blue Devils’ offensive alternatives, and outmuscled them on the boards. Tennessee additionally had a powerful capturing night time, making 42.9% of their three-point makes an attempt en path to a 65-52 victory in Orlando.
Whereas Duke ranks seventh nationally in offensive rebounding share, they have been solely capable of safe six of their missed pictures, additional highlighting the Volunteers’ dominance within the paint.
Regardless of a gradual begin on the offensive finish, Tennessee gained management of the sport with a 14-2 run to shut out the primary half. Duke had a number of alternatives to chop into the lead, however the Vols all the time appeared to have a solution. Taking part in with out level guard Zakai Zeigler for the fifth straight recreation, Tennessee acquired vital contributions from Olivier Nkamhoua and Santiago Vescovi, notably within the second half. Nkamhoua, a senior from Finland, had a standout recreation, tying his career-high with 27 factors. He scored 17 of Tennessee’s last 19 factors, and all however 4 of his factors got here within the second half.
This win marks Tennessee’s first journey to the Candy 16 since 2019. The Vols will face the winner of the second-round recreation between No. 9 Florida Atlantic and No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson, which is able to happen on Sunday.
“HE CANNOT MISS”
THE VOLS HAVE THEIR LARGEST LEAD OF THE DAY 😨#MarchMadness @Vol_Hoops pic.twitter.com/J5aLdqeNWy
— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
The Finish Of John Scheyer’s First Season At Duke
Jon Scheyer, the present Duke head coach in his first season on the helm, is a former Duke participant and assistant coach who succeeded the legendary Mike Krzyzewski after his retirement. Krzyzewski set an extremely excessive normal with 5 nationwide championships and 4 different Remaining Fours, leaving Scheyer with massive sneakers to fill.
Scheyer’s first yr as head coach was a combined bag, because the crew struggled with accidents all through the season. Regardless of some bumps within the street, the Blue Devils completed the season sturdy by successful the ACC match and entered the NCAA Event on a roll and with some excessive expectations.
With a 10-game successful streak coming into their second-round NCAA match recreation in opposition to Tennessee, Duke appeared poised for a deep run. Nonetheless, they confronted a Tennessee crew that proved to be too bodily dominant. Because of a restricted rotation, Duke wanted extra offense to maintain up with the Volunteers.
Because the season ends, Scheyer and his teaching employees will now deal with roster building for the subsequent season. Regardless of doubtlessly shedding a few of their present freshmen to the NBA, Duke has a robust incoming recruiting class, making certain the crew is not going to be missing in expertise. Duke will undoubtedly look completely different subsequent season, however this system’s historical past and success beneath Krzyzewski and the promising future with Scheyer on the helm will definitely preserve the Blue Devils as a drive to be reckoned with in school basketball.
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