The Third Time Is The Charm As Duke Defeats Louisville In The Second Round Of The Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament In Greensboro
During the regular season Duke and Louisville matched up twice!
Once in Louisville Kentucky and once in Durham North Carolina!
Duke and Louisville matched up in Louisville Kentucky on Saturday January 23, 2021 where Duke lost by a score of 70-65!.
Why?
Duke missed key three-point attempts in the last minute.” “according to an article on goduke.com”
While Louisville won the inaugural matchup of the regular season on January 23,2021!
Where?
Louisville Kentucky by a score of 70-65!
Why?
Carlik Jones scored seven of his 25 points in overtime, sophomore Quinn Slazinski opened the scoring in OT with a 3-pointer and Louisville fended off Duke 80-73
Then,
On Saturday February 27, 2021 Duke and Louisville matched up for their second game of the regular season!
Where?
Durham North Carolina where Duke lost by a score of 80-73!
Why?
Matthew Hurt scored a career-high 37 points on 15-of-21 shooting, but Duke fell to Louisville in overtime, 80-73,
While Louisville won by a score of 80-73 in overtime!
When February 27, 2021!
Where?
Durham North Carolina!
Why?
Carlik Jones scored seven of his 25 points in overtime, sophomore Quinn Slazinski opened the scoring in OT with a 3-pointer and Louisville fended off Duke 80-73. “according to an article on gocards.com”
Last night Duke and Louisville matched up again!
This time in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament with Duke as the ten seed and Louisville as the seventh seed and turns out that the third time is the charm!
Why?
Because defeated Louisville by a score of 70-56!
Where!
At the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro!
Why?
Mark Williams who is the younger brother of Elizabeth Williams who is a former Duke Women’s Basketball Player and current WNBA Player for the Atlanta Dream had a sensational night on the hardwood!
How sensational?
Mark Williams had a career-high 23 points and 19 rebounds finished 9-of-14 from the field for his second 20-point outing in the last four games. The 7-foot center controlled the glass all night, with seven of his boards coming on the offensive end. The Blue Devils (13-11) opened the second half with a 9-0 run and were able to maintain a double-digit lead for the majority of the period, with Williams contributing 15 points and 10 rebounds in the final 20 minutes.
His 19 rebounds were the third-most by a Duke freshman in any game and tied for the second most by a Duke player in the ACC Tournament behind 20 from Art Heyman against Clemson in the 1962 semifinals.
While his teammate Matthew Hurt contributed twenty points. “according to an article ongoduke.com”
While Louisville’s run in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament came to end.
When?
Last night!
Why?
Because they lost by a score of 70-56 to Duke!
Why?
Louisville got within eight points three times in the final 10 minutes but could not get any closer as Mark Williams took over the paint, scoring 10 of his points in the final 11:03. “according to an article on gocards.com”
Where?
Greensboro North Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum!
Duke was supposed to play second ranked Florida State tonight in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals but now they’re not.
Why?
Because a player who is a walk on tested positive for the coronavirus. “according to Jeff Goodman’s tweet on Twitter” who writes for Stadium
Director Of Athletics Kevin White had this to say about the situation!
"Unfortunately, after going an entire season with no positive COVID-19 tests among our men's basketball student-athletes and coaching staff, one member of our program tested positive following Wednesday's ACC Tournament game in Greensboro. After working with our medical professionals and following Duke and ACC Medical Advisory Group health, safety, and contact tracing protocols, the student-athletes on our team are now in quarantine. Since last March when the pandemic started, we have listened to our medical experts and always put safety at the forefront of any determinations regarding competition. As a result, this will end our 2020-21 season. We wish every team still playing college basketball good health and the very best during the next few weeks."”
While Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski had this to say!
While our season was different than any other that I can remember, I loved the 2020-21 Duke Basketball team and was honored to be their coach. We have not asked more of any team in our history, and they deserve enormous credit for handling everything like the outstanding young men they are. I feel deeply for our players, who have done a terrific job all season in taking care of each other and the team. I am extremely proud of their collective attitudes and effort, which could not have been stronger. We are disappointed we cannot keep fighting together as a group after two outstanding days in Greensboro. This season was a challenge for every team across the country and as we have seen over and over, this global pandemic is very cruel and is not yet over. As many safeguards as we implemented, no one is immune to this terrible virus." “according to an article on goduke.com”