LAS VEGAS (AP) In a town known for major championship fights, it seemed only fitting a long-anticipated 40-minute heavyweight bout between No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 5 Duke take place in Las Vegas. Paolo Banchero scored 21 points to help Duke hold off a turnover-prone Gonzaga team 84-81 on Friday night in front of an announced 20,389 fans the largest basketball crowd ever in Nevada.
Bubble watch heats up as tourneys start in power conferences
By STEVE MEGARGEEMarch 10, 2021 GMT
The suspense begins to build Wednesday for teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble as more of the major conferences begin postseason play.
While the Atlantic Coast Conference began its tournament Tuesday, the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, Southeastern Conference and Big East all open tournament competition Wednesday. Here are some questions regarding the NCAA Tournament field that still need to be answered.
How many of the so-called blueblood programs are making it in?: One of the main stories of this unusual season has been the way many established powers have struggled more than usual. Kansas and North Carolina have been up and down, but Kansas remains a lock for an NCAA bid and North Carolina figures to make it as well. Duke has more reason to worry, while Kentucky’s only hope is to win the SEC Tournament.
NC State looks to extend streak vs ND
March 2, 2021 GMT
Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center, Notre Dame, Indiana; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: North Carolina State looks for its fifth straight conference win against Notre Dame. North Carolina State’s last ACC loss came against the Duke Blue Devils 69-53 on Feb. 13. Notre Dame lost 94-90 on the road against Boston College on Saturday.
SUPER SENIORS: North Carolina State has relied heavily on its seniors. Jericole Hellems, Manny Bates, D.J. Funderburk and Devon Daniels have combined to account for 57 percent of the team’s scoring this year and 51 percent of all Wolfpack points over the team’s last five games.
Brakefield scores go-ahead basket, Duke stops No. 7 Virginia
By The Associated PressFebruary 21, 2021 GMT
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Freshman Jaemyn Brakefield scored the go-ahead basket on a reverse layup with 1:58 left and Duke came up with a final-possession stop and upset No. 7 Virginia 66-65 on Saturday night.
Matthew Hurt scored 22 points to lead the Blue Devils (10-8, 8-6 Atlantic Coast Conference). They claimed a much-needed third straight win to improve their uncertain chances of making the NCAA Tournament.
Brakefield’s scoring drive, while drawing a foul on Jay Huff, finally got Duke a slim lead. Freshman DJ Steward had a chance to increase the margin, but missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free-throw opportunity with 9.6 seconds left.
Hurt scores 22 to help Duke beat Wake Forest 84-60
February 18, 2021 GMT
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Matthew Hurt scored 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting, DJ Steward added 16 points and Duke never trailed in its 84-60 win over Wake Forest on Wednesday night.
Joey Baker hit 4 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with 12 points for Duke (9-8, 7-6 Atlantic Coast Conference). Wendell Moore Jr. scored 11 points.
Wake Forest went scoreless for nearly five minutes as Duke scored 12 consecutive points to make it 29-13 when Jordan Goldwire hit a 3-pointer with 7:18 left in the first half, and the Blue Devils led by double figures the rest of the way.