Duke Takes On UCF In The Second Round Of The NCAA Tournament
On Sunday Mike Krzyzewski will see a familiar face on the other sideline when Duke who is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and a the top overall seed takes on the University Of Central Florida who is a nine seed in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the East Region who is a member of the American Athletic Conference who’s head coach is Johnny Dawkins who played for Mike Krzyzewski from 1983-1986. During his time as a player Johnny Dawkins helped lead Duke to three NCAA Tournament berths, including an NCAA National Championship Game appearance in 1986. He was listed as an All-ACC honoree in all four seasons as a Blue Devil. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211734152 but that wasn’t the only thing he did at Duke as Johnny Dawkins was also a member of Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching staff where he spent 10 years under the legendary Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. During Dawkins’ decade as a coach at Duke, the Blue Devils won a national championship (2001), tallied six ACC regular season championships, recorded seven ACC Tournament titles and posted a 330-60 record. In four consecutive seasons from 1999-2002, Duke finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in both national polls, a first in college basketball history. Duke reached a No. 1 national ranking in seven of the 10 seasons with Dawkins on the coaching staff. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211734152
On the injury front Jack White will be sidelined for yet another game. Duke forward Jack White is not expected to play during Sunday's second-round NCAA tournament game against UCF as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury, coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26341644/duke-white-hamstring-unlikely-play-vs-ucf
White, a key reserve and one of the team's captains, injured the hamstring during Duke's victory over Florida State in the ACC title game. The 6-foot-7 junior, who averages 21.5 minutes and 4.4 points per game, was unavailable to play during Friday's win over North Dakota State.”according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26341644/duke-white-hamstring-unlikely-play-vs-ucf
"We don't think he's going to play," Krzyzewski told reporters during Saturday's media availability in Columbia. "He had a decent workout today with band work and that. He'll try it out in warm-up, but I don't think so." “according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26341644/duke-white-hamstring-unlikely-play-vs-ucf
Duke has benefited from the return of Marques Bolden, however. The 6-foot-11 center, who sprained his knee during the ACC tournament, was able to play against North Dakota State, logging 18 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds and a pair of assists. “according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26341644/duke-white-hamstring-unlikely-play-vs-ucf
Duke comes into the game with a record of 30-5 while University Of Central Florida comes into the game with a record of 24-8.
As for Duke’s previous game, they shook off a sluggish to eventually rout North Dakota State.
Zion Williamson had an explosive NCAA Tournament debut with 25 points and a can't-miss second-half showcase to lead top-seeded Duke to an 85-62 win over North Dakota State on Friday night. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
RJ Barrett led Duke with 26 points and 14 rebounds and combined with Williamson for a prolific showing for the freshmen stars. But it was Williamson who could not be contained in the second half and he turned a tight early contest into a Duke runaway in the first round of the East Region. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Duke led just 31-27 at halftime but Williamson took over after the break. He opened the half by driving on two defenders for a layup that drew a foul. He missed the free throw but Williamson answered with a monster slam. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
The highlight, though, came moments later on Williamsson's breathtaking dribble-behind-his-back-after-chasing-down-his-own-steal layup. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
The 6-foot-7, 285-pound freshman outran 5-foot-11 190-pound Vinnie Shahid of North Dakota State for the ball after he tipped it for a steal. Williamson then dribbled behind his back, briefly losing and regaining his balance with a hand on the floor. That cleared room for Williamson to get to the lane and go up and under for a layup. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Just like that, the Blue Devils were up 40-27 and cruising. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
The Bison (19-16) never recovered. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Barrett and Williamson gave Duke two players with 20 or more points in their NCAA Tournament debut for the first time since Mark Alarie and Johnny Dawkins did it in 1984. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
The Blue Devils (31-5) will face either eighth-seeded VCU or No. 9 seed UCF on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Shahid led the Bison with 20 points. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said his team settled for too many missed jump shots early and it gave North Dakota State the chance to hang around. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Once Williamson got going, Duke showed why it is the top overall seed in this tournament and why CBS has dedicated a camera to follow Williamson's journey.
Duke was expected to pick up where it left off last week when it won its 21st Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title. Williamson was electric in the conference tournament -- he went 13 of 13 from the field in a quarterfinal win over Syracuse -- and became the first freshman to win both ACC player of the year and tournament MVP.
Now on the big stage with the "Zion Cam" tracking his every move, Williamson was active early with a driving basket and a monster block on the other end. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Then a crazy thing happened -- the Blue Devils struggled to score. They missed 3-pointers and close-in shots, mid-range jumpers and driving layups and found themselves trailing the Summit League Tournament champions 16-12 midway through the half. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Barrett and Reddish rallied Duke toward the end -- Barrett had three straight baskets -- and a Jordan Goldwire 3-pointer with a minute left made it 31-27 at the break. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Williamson's early highlight came with the game tied at 16 as he took a pass on the baseline a few feet from the rim, rose up and put down a power jam. The sold-out crowd at 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena watched it unfold and drew in a collective breath before exploding at the result. Williamson played high school basketball in Spartanburg, 90 miles away from his NCAA Tournament debut. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211796767&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_ga=2.118660745.1835377373.1553348706-1541545974.1553348706
Like Duke the University Of Central Florida won their opening game in the NCAA Tournament over VCU but unlike Duke this was their first ever NCAA Tournament victory.
UCF fans had waited 14 years to get back here. They then had to wait six minutes and 23 seconds for their Knights to get on the board in their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. It was okay, though. Everything worked out fine. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
UCF’s stingy defense made it so that when Terrell Allen’s jumper in the lane finally put the Black and Gold on the board at the 13:37 mark, they were only trailing 5-2. The rust was off and the Knights got rolling. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
Rolling to the tune of an 11-0 run that put UCF up 13-7 midway through the half, a lead the Knights didn’t relinquish the rest of the way. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“For us, we had to shake the nerves off and get in the flow of the game, and that’s what we did,” junior guard Aubrey Dawkins said after the game. “Once we got used to the flow, things started to click for us. We played good basketball, moved the ball, played unselfish, and good things usually happen when you do that.” “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
Things really started going well down the stretch of the first half as the Knights used another 10-0 spurt to take a 34-24 lead into the break. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“Offensively, I thought we made a lot of connecting plays,” head coach Johnny Dawkins said. “We shared the basketball. Guys found shots and rhythm shots they would normally take, and they were knocking them down tonight consistently.” “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
That was never more true than the start of the second half, as UCF continued its hot shooting from the end of the first, rattling off another nine straight to extend its run to 19-0 and open up the lead to 43-24 less than five minutes into the period. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“I thought we played some of our best basketball on both ends of the floor,” Coach Dawkins said. “I thought defensively, Tacko’s presence down there was amazing. I thought we rebounded well.” “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
Tacko Fall’s presence most certainly was amazing. The 7-foot-6 center was on display for the entire nation and he didn’t disappoint. The Knights, who run their defense around his ability to block and alter shots, held VCU scoreless for over 10 minutes during the 19-0 run with Fall corralling nearly every rebound to end its possession. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“We’ve been challenging Tacko all season long about really imposing his will on the game,” Dawkins said. “I think probably the last six weeks, you started to see a turn in that. I’m just really happy for him. I’m happy he’s realizing the type of impact he can have on both ends of the floor.” “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
Fall finished with 18 rebounds, five blocked shots and 13 points. The first two numbers are UCF NCAA Tournament records and he became the first Knight to record a double-double in the tourney. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“We took advantage of [our size advantage], and my teammates trusted me,” Fall said. “I was out there being aggressive, just like I’m supposed to do every night and just trying to make plays for us to win the ball game.” according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
Fall made plenty of plays and it was enough to make history. UCF withstood a late VCU run and cruised to the 73-58 victory, advancing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“I think when I look back on it, it’s going to be meaningful,” Dawkins said. “I’m just really proud of our guys. They worked hard to put themselves in this position.”
BJ Taylor, who led the Knights with 15 points in the game, knows how big this was for the program and for himself, but he’s more interested in what’s next. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“It’s hard for me to talk about it right now because we’re in the moment, but it’s great for the program,” he said. “It’s a great win, but we’ll reflect on that after the season’s over. Right now, we’re not satisfied. We want to keep this thing going.” “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
Fall echoed his teammates sentiment, knowing there is still more basketball to be played. “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
“It means a lot to us, to me, to the fans,” Fall said. “Finally being able to pull it off after all these years has meant a great deal to us. But we’re not satisfied. We want to keep going as far as we can and we’re going to bring it every night no matter who we play against.” “according to http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211796815
Tip-off is set for 5:15 from Colonial Life Arena that is home to the Men’s & Women’s Basketball teams of South Carolina. The game will be televised on CBS.