Duke, Mike Krzyzewski Get The Win Over Jeff Capel, Pittsburgh

Former coach, mentor verses former player as well as associate head coach.

It was Mike Krzyzewski who is in his fortieth season as the head coach of Duke who got the win over his former player as well Associate Head Coach Jeff Capel who is now the head coach at Pittsburgh.

Vernon Carey Jr. had 26 points and 13 rebounds as No. 9 Duke beat Pittsburgh 79-67 on Tuesday night after both teams honored Kobe Bryant during a pregame ceremony at Cameron Indoor Stadium.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-carey-goldwire-pace-no-9-duke-past-pitt.aspx

Before tipoff, players for Duke and Pitt honored Bryant when they warmed up in T-shirts with purple and gold numerals 8 on the front and 24 on the back -- the numbers Bryant wore with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday morning. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-carey-goldwire-pace-no-9-duke-past-pitt.aspx

Bryant and Duke alumnus and former ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan, who died Friday, were honored before the game. Krzyzewski, who coached Bryant as Team USA won Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, stood stoically as his former player was honored.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-carey-goldwire-pace-no-9-duke-past-pitt.aspx

Tre Jones contributed 14 points and Jordan Goldwire scored 13 as the Blue Devils (17-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) won their second straight game after dropping consecutive decisions to Clemson and Louisville. Pitt (13-8, 4-6) was led by Au'Diese Toney's game-high 27 points, but lost for the fourth time in six games.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-carey-goldwire-pace-no-9-duke-past-pitt.aspx

The Blue Devils displayed balance on offense in the first half as they took advantage of the attention freshman center Carey attracted in the paint. Carey scored seven of Duke's first nine points, forcing the normally stout Pittsburgh defense to collapse in on him in an effort to deny him the ball and contest his shots. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-carey-goldwire-pace-no-9-duke-past-pitt.aspx

While Duke got the win Pittsburgh meanwhile lost their second straight game after losing at Syracuse over the weekend.

 Au'Diese Toney had a career-high 27 points but No. 9 Duke pulled away late, as the Panthers fell to the Blue Devils, 79-67. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-toney-scores-27-pitt-falls-at-duke-79-67.aspx

Pitt (13-8, 4-6) mounted a furious rally in the second half, though, as Duke temporarily lost its scoring touch after leading 60-42. A 23-8 run sparked by Toney's inside and outside scoring pulled the Panthers within 68-65 with 4:26 to play. But a pair of free throws by Matthew Hurt, a basket on the block by Carey and a 3-pointer by Stanley restored a double-digit lead for Duke.”according to
https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-toney-scores-27-pitt-falls-at-duke-79-67.aspx
Justin Champagnie scored 13 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, while Xavier Johnson finished with nine points and four boards. Trey McGowens dished out a team-best six assists and Abdoul Karim Coulibaly totaled eight points and four rebounds in a career-high 21 minutes “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2020/1/28/mens-basketball-toney-scores-27-pitt-falls-at-duke-79-67.aspx

Duke will now head to Syracuse to begin a three game road trip where Mike Krzyzewski will face his good friend Jim Boeheim on Saturday night at Carrier Dome.