Duke Takes On South Carolina In The Second Round With Sweet Sixteen Birth On The Line

Duke who has a record of 28-8 is coming off an 87-65 win over Troy Friday to advance to the second round  of the NCAA Tournament against South Carolina who took down former Duke assistant Steve Wojciechowski

Grayson Allen scored 21 points to lead Duke to an 87-65  while he also hit three of Duke's thirteen three -pointers. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211525891

Jayson Tatum, on the other hand, had himself a night where he dominated both sides of the ball. On the night. Jayson Tatum scored 18 points had 12 rebounds that included nine that were defensive rebounds  to go along with four blocks and four steals.  "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211525891

Duke, which averaged eight 3-pointers a game this season, hit 10 in the opening half to quickly pull away from the Trojans. Tatum opened the game with a 3. A short time later, Frank Jackson, Luke Kennard and Matt Jones had long-range baskets on consecutive possessions as the Blue Devils jumped to a 16-4 lead less than 5 minutes in. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211525891

Matt Jones finished with 14 points off three 3-pointers and Frank Jackson 12 with two 3s. The Blue Devils' outside touch offset the performance of leading scorer Luke  Kennard, who was just 3-of-12 shooting for eight points -- snapping a streak of 19 games scoring in double figures. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211525891

South Carolina meanwhile has a record of 23-10 and is coming off a 93-73 win over Marquette Friday where they got their first NCAA Tournament win since 1973. 

Senior Sindarius Thornwell (29) and sophomore PJ Dozer (21) combined for 50 points on 19-of-33 (58 percent) shooting. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

Senior Duane Notice knocked down a deep 3-pointer, his second of the game, to bring Carolina within six, 28-22, at the under eight media timeout with 7:34 to go. Back-to-back dunks by Silva and Dozier brought Bon Secours Wellness Arena to its feet, pulling the Gamecocks within two, but MU pulled in front by eight, 34-26, with 5:18 to play. Carolina clawed back within four, 34-30, at the under four media timeout with 3:44 left in the half. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

PJ Dozier drove hard baseline and made a tough layup to pull the Gamecocks within two, 39-37, with just over a minute to go. Carolina got a stop and took possession with the shot clock off, but Thornwell missed from 3 with six seconds left and MU led 40-39 at halftime. Both teams shot 48 percent in the opening half as 13 different players scored on both sides. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

Freshman Maik Kotsar scored the first four points of the second half to give the Gamecocks their first lead of the game, 43-40, with 18:30 remaining. The Golden Eagles answered with a 7-0 run to regain the lead, but Carolina answered with a 7-0 run of its own to retake the lead, 51-49, with 15:54 to play. It was a high-paced first 4:06 with both teams shooting it extremely well. The Gamecocks started 5-for-9 (56 percent) and MU was 4-for-6 (67 percent) to open the half. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

With 14:53 on the clock, Carolina swung momentum their way after senior Justin McKie had a big steal and found Dozier ahead in transition for a breakaway dunk. The slam sent The Well into a frenzy and forced Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski to take a timeout, his team trailing 55-49. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

Rakym Felder then gave the Gamecocks their biggest lead so far in the game, 82-69, forcing another Wojciechowski timeout with 4:40 to play. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

South Carolina kept its foot on the pedal as four more points from Thornwell pushed the lead to 86-69 at the final media timeout with 3:42 left in the game. The Gamecocks held MU scoreless for nearly four minutes and used a 17-2 run to take control en route to the 93-71 victory. Carolina ended the game 7-for-7 from the field. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

Notice and Silva joined Thornwell and Dozier in double figures with 10 each. Kotsar and Felder each had seven for the Gamecocks, who shot a scorching 56 percent (20-of-36) in the second half. Felder and McKie combined for 12 of the team's 14 bench points. "according to http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031817aac.html

Which team will execute their game plan and advance to the sweet sixteen? Tip-off is set for 8:40 pm. The game will be televised on TNT. "according to http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=1845&SPSID=22726&DB_OEM_ID=4200