Duke Routes Pittsburgh
It was the teacher Mike Krzyzewski who came out on top instead of his former player who also is a former Associate Head Coach on his staff who is now the head coach at Pittsburgh in Jeff Capel.
-- Zion Williamson hit his first 10 shots on his way to 25 points, fellow freshman RJ Barrett scored 26 and No. 2 Duke had little trouble with Pittsburgh in a 79-64 victory on Tuesday night. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Williamson finished 11 of 13 from the floor to go with seven rebounds and seven assists for the Blue Devils (16-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who kept the Panthers (12-7, 2-4) in check even without injured freshman guard Tre Jones. Duke held Pitt to 41 percent shooting, outrebounded the Panthers 39-34 and wasn't in any real danger after a surge midway through the first half. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Trey McGowens led Pitt with 14 points, Jared Wilson-Frame and Terrell Brown added 12 each but the Panthers simply couldn't match Duke's size or firepower. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Pitt head coach Jeff Capel expected it to feel "weird" while facing Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Capel spent seven years as Krzyzewski's top assistant before leaving to join the Panthers last spring, developing a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the country. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Capel hopes to one day bring in the kind of talent to Pitt that now regularly flocks to the Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils. He might, but not quite yet. The talent gulf between the two programs came into vivid detail once the early adrenaline -- fueled in part by a sold-out crowd at raucous Petersen Events Center that included rap superstar Jay-Z -- wore off and the Williamson went to work. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
The Panthers actually led 16-15 early but Duke responded with a 12-0 run that showcased Williamson's remarkable gifts. He hit a lay-up in traffic, drilled a 3-pointer and tipped in a Barrett miss to put the Blue Devils firmly in control and put the rest any concern about an emotional letdown following a taut victory over the Cavaliers. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Even while playing without Young, whom Capel considers one of the best defensive players in the ACC and who remains out while recovering from a shoulder injury, the Blue Devils steadily pulled away against the energetic if physically overmatched Panthers.
Pitt managed just nine points over the final 13 minutes of the opening half and unlike its upset wins over Florida State and Louisville earlier this month, the Panthers were unable to get to lane and get to the free-throw line. Duke's massive frontcourt didn't allow it. The taller, longer Blue Devils swallowed up whatever open space existed in the lane. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
The Blue Devils led 44-25 at the break and Williamson hit all nine of his shots. He eventually missed one on his second attempt of the second half but it didn't stop Duke's lead from growing to as much as 23. When a mini-run by Pitt got the Panthers within 61-45 with 8:57 to play. Krzyzewski called timeout. Barrett drilled 3-pointer on Duke's next possession and it was over. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Duke will return home on Saturday to host Georgia Tech.