The quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament got off to a roaring start with four of the top five seeds making it on to the semifinals. Virginia dispatched Florida State in the first game of the day, after which Louisville was bested by North Carolina.
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In the first game of the night session, Duke took on a hot NC State team, who came into the game having won six of their last seven games, the most recent of which was a win over Pittsburgh Wednesday evening in round 2 of the tournament. Duke got off to a blistering start, leading 11-3 at the under 16 minute media timeout, thanks in large part to their defensive effort — their most intense defensive effort in a long time. They changed up defensive looks all night, switching from zone to man-to-man frequently to confuse the Wolfpack.
That effort carried over into the rest of the half. Duke held the Wolfpack to 29.6 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes, carrying a 49-22 lead into halftime. Ralston Turner was the only player to score more than two points in the first half for NC State, accounting for 13 of State’s 22 points. Justise Winslow attacked the basket aggressively early, scoring 11 points in the half. Marshall Plumlee surprisingly added four dunks for eight points of his own.
The game would never be close, with NC State struggling to get their offense going. Duke would finish off the Wolfpack 77-53. The Blue Devils shot 56.6 percent on the night (5-for-13 from three-point range), with Quinn Cook leading the way with 15 points.
Duke’s defensive intensity would stay on track through the course of the second half, holding the Pack to 41.4 percent shooting in the second half and 35.7 percent for the game. Cook also made life difficult for NC State point guard Cat Barber. After Cat dropped 34 points the previous night against Pittsburgh, Cook held him scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting.
After the game Cook noted that improving his defense was something he is making a conscious effort to do. “I just was tired of coach getting on me in film about not playing defense,” he said. “So it took me three years to finally realize I needed to play defense. I mean, it’s fun. It’s fun. I’ve learned to enjoy playing great defense and my teammates have helped me.”
Freshman Grayson Allen gave Duke a much needed spark off the bench. He has received more playing time since the dismissal of Rasheed Sulaimon, which has helped his development tremendously. Allen scored 12 points in 21 minutes and received a nice ovation from the Duke fans in attendance when he fouled out at the 45 second mark.
Point guard Tyus Jones would score only seven points on 3-for-9 shooting, but he contributed eight assists. His dribble penetration created opportunities for his teammates all game, and the Wolfpack couldn’t do anything to keep him out of the paint.
It was a complete domination by the Blue Devils. It is almost as if playing with consistent effort defensively benefits your team. Who knew?
Notre Dame defeated Miami in the late game, but it was not easy. It was a tale of two halves for the Irish. They held a 17-point halftime lead thanks to a sizzling start from the behind the arc.
Notre Dame shot 8-for-13 from three-point range in the first half, and 62.5 percent from the field. Pat Connaughton knocked down four threes himself, and hit three-pointers on three consecutive possessions at one point.
The second half was a much different story. Notre Dame did not score their first field goal of the second half until the 8:03 mark. Their outside shooting would dry up, leading to a 1-for-9 effort from deep in the second half. With 6:03 remaining two Sheldon McClellan free throws would give Miami the lead.
The very next possession Steve Vasturia knocked down a huge three-point shot giving Notre Dame a lead they would not relinquish. Vasturia led the way with 16 points, and somehow Mike Brey’s team found a way to win despite an ice cold offense in the second half.
The gritty win sets up their third meeting of the season with Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals. If the first two games are any indication, this should be an interesting battle.
Their first meeting was a coming out party for Irish point guard Jerian Grant. Despite an impressive 22-point, 17-rebound night from ACC Player of the Year Jahlil Okafor, Notre Dame took care of business against the Blue Devils on their home court, winning a tightly contested ballgame 77-73. Grant scored 23 points, with 12 assists, and six rebounds while also knocking down some important shots late in the game. The win put Notre Dame on the map as a force to be reckoned with in the ACC.
The second meeting in Cameron Indoor Stadium was an absolute blowout by the Blue Devils. Duke got a double-double from Okafor (20 points, 10 rebounds), shot a sizzling 60.8 percent from the floor, while holding Notre Dame under 40 percent shooting on their way to a 90-60 victory. The offensive clinic put on by Duke showed the world that losses to NC State and Miami would not define their season.
The rubber-match will be Friday night in the Greensboro Coliseum for a chance to play in the ACC Tournament Championship Game. Duke was there last year, where they lost to Virginia, but Notre Dame would love to make their first trip to the tournament final in their second year in the league.
The game will likely have an impact on NCAA Tournament seeding as well. Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm (who I apparently trust with all my heart) have Duke as a No. 1 seed and Notre Dame as a No. 3 seed.
Just making the final should cement Duke’s place in the top line, while it is unclear how much Notre Dame would move up if they continue winning.
The first game was one of the most exciting games of the ACC season, while the second was the game that reminded the country that Duke was still one of the best teams in college basketball, despite a few blips on the radar.
On a neutral court, one would expect Notre Dame to be more competitive than they were in Durham. However, the game is in North Carolina. The crowd will be full of Duke fans, clad in blue and screaming their heads off.
Welcome to Greensboro, Notre Dame. Settle in for a tough game against a conference blueblood, in their home state, for the chance to play for a championship. Mike Brey seems to understand the magnitude of Friday night’s game against an elite program like Duke. “It’s a thrill for me to come out in the semifinals tomorrow night with our program and these other three programs and certainly to play Duke,” Brey said, almost overwhelmed. “We’re really, it’s a proud moment for us.”
This is what ACC basketball is all about.
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