Duke Dominates Rhode Island To Advance To The Sweet Sixteen

Last season Duke  was eliminated in the second round  by  South Carolina. 

This season though brought a different outcome as Duke  dominated Rhode Island to advance to the sweet sixteen in Omaha Nebraska.  

The same message comes from Mike Krzyzewski almost daily. While the Hall-of-Fame Duke coach makes an effort to mix it up when talking to his ridiculously young and ridiculously loaded team, the theme never changes. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

This moment in the NCAA Tournament is precious. Don't take it for granted. Especially if it turns out to be the only one you'll get. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year Marvin Bagley scored 22 points to go with nine rebounds, fellow freshman big man Wendell Carter Jr. added 13 points and second-seeded Duke rolled by seventh-seeded Rhode Island 87-62 in the second round on Saturday to earn the program's 26th trip to the Sweet 16. Freshmen guards Gary Trent Jr. and Trevon Duval combined for 29 points and 11 assists for the Blue Devils. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Duke (28-7) will play either Michigan State or Syracuse in the Midwest Regional semifinals in Omaha, Nebraska on Friday. The victory gave Krzyzewski 1,098 wins during his Hall of Fame career, breaking a tie with Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt for the most ever by an NCAA basketball coach. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The Rams (26-8) and their senior-laden roster never threatened after the opening 10 minutes. E.C. Matthews led Rhode Island with 23 points but the Rams were never really in it after the Blue Devils revved it up midway through the first half. "according tohttp://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Krzyzewski's relationship with Rhode Island head coach Dan Hurley dates back to when Krzyzewski recruited Dan's older brother Bobby to Duke 30 years ago. Krzyzewski praised the Hurley family for their love of the "dignity of work," an ethos that has helped Dan turn the Rams into a force in the Atlantic 10. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Work ethic is one thing. Talent is another. The Rams have plenty of the former. When the young but rapidly maturing Blue Devils are as fully engaged as they were on Saturday, they have a staggering amount of both. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The proof came in a clinically efficient opening half in which Duke picked the Rams a part. If Allen and Trent weren't knocking down 3-pointers then they were getting the ball inside to Bagley or Carter, the program's "other" potential lottery pick who is dealing with an achy Achilles. Though he winced at least once while trying to set up on the block, when Carter had the ball in his hands, the grimace disappeared. He scored nine of Duke's first 11 points to establish the Blue Devils' dominance in the paint and when the backcourt got going, the Rams simply couldn't keep pace. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

A 23-5 surge midway through the first half put the Blue Devils firmly in command. Their extended zone defense with Allen at the top disrupted Rhode Island's rhythm, at one point forcing Matthews it put up an off-balance, one-handed airball from the 3-point line as the shot clock expired. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

By the time Duval's second 3-pointer of the half went down, the Blue Devils were up 45-28 at the break. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

As the Rams came out for the second half, junior guard Will Leviton went over to a section of Rhode Island fans and urged them to "get up, I still need you! It's still a game." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Not really. A pair of Bagley dunks shortly after intermission pushed Duke's advantage to more than 20 and the Blue Devils were on their way to Omaha. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

BIG PICTURE

Rhode Island: The Rams lose five seniors to graduation, including Matthews, Terrell and forward Andre Berry but have a solid nucleus returning. Whether Hurley is there to guide them is another matter. He acknowledged his name has been mentioned in connections with other jobs. He said no last spring. It may be more difficult this time around."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Duke: For all of its offensive brilliance, the biggest difference for the Blue Devils over the last month has been their work at the other end of the floor. Duke held Rhode Island to 40 percent shooting (25 of 63). "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils are 14-9 in Sweet 16 games under Krzyzewski. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211706274&DB_OEM_ID=4200