Duke Defeats Illinois to Advance to Maui Championship Game
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by Wrmjr
The Duke Blue Devils faced their toughest competition of the season against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Despite being out-rebounded by 10 and giving up 19 offensive rebounds to Illinois, Duke led most of the game. After building the lead to as much as 19, Duke closed out the Illini 79-66.
Duke was led by Gerald Henderson who scored a career high 23 points, including another highlight-reel dunk. Henderson’s versatility was too much for the Illinois defense. When they guarded him closely on the outside, he drove into the paint. When they laid off of him, he sank the open jumpers. DeMarcus Nelson added 16 points and Greg Paulus had 10 points, 4 assists and only 1 turnover.
Both teams faced foul trouble during the game. Duke freshman Kyle Singler fouled out and was held to only 8 points by Illinois’ tough interior defenders. Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek and Nelson all had 4 fouls. For Illinois, Chester Frazier and Calvin Brock both fouled out and Brian Randle had 4 fouls. Randle let the Illini in scoring with 16 points and 2-guard Frazier led the team with 9 rebounds.
The real difference in the game wasn’t fouls or rebounding differential, or even turnovers. It was team shooting percentage. Duke shot 56.5% including 6 for 13 from the three-point line. Illinois only managed to shoot 32.3% and only 25% from the arc. About his teams offensive struggles, Coach Bruce Weber said “we didn't shoot well. It's a credit to their defense, but sometimes we can be offensively challenged.” Illinois will face Oklahoma State in the consolation game.
With the win over Illinois, Coach Mike Krzyzewski has 779 career wins and is now tied for eighth most in NCAA history with Lou Henson. Duke will face Marquette in the finals. When the two teams met last year, Marquette defeated the Blue Devils 73-62.
Marquette is currently ranked 11th in the nation. They will pose a tough test for the Blue Devils. They are led by a trio of guards that match up well with any in the country. Marquette likes to play a fast-paced small-ball game, much like Duke plays this year. It should be a good match-up for both teams, and neither should be too disappointed with a loss.
| This user is a Marquette University fan. |
