Off the cuff: Once again, Duke was playing without Zion Williamson, who was hurt in the first minute of the last game against Carolina, and starting cengter Marques Bolden, who only played three minutes in this one before going out with an injury. When asked about it, UNC coach Roy Williams said, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a ..." He didn't say the damn part but the point was clear that all that matters is what happens on the floor. He made a great point that while Duke might have played at a higher level, he likes to think that his team would match that higher level had Williamson played. If each team wins a game in the ACC Tournament, you could see them meet again in the semi-finals. It would be hard to beat Duke three times in a season, especially since Williamson is expected to be back. RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish are superb freshmen but they were about all that Duke has without Williamson and Carolina's less-heralded but more experienced players won out in the end. Senior Kenny Williams had his best game of the year with 18 points and some good defensive play. Senior Cam Johnson, really a grad student, was in foul trouble in the first half but was instrumental in setting the tone for the second half when he came out and scored four quick points to put the Heels up 42-40. While the game was tied a couple of times after that, the Heels never trailed again. Senior Luke Maye started out cold and only ended with seven points but he had 16 points and seven assists - tops in both categories for Carolina. The three each gave emotional speeches after the game. Maye was especially choked up when talking about how his father, who was injured as a football player and never reached his potential, said he was trying to live through him. By the way, one day Carolina and Duke are going to meet four times in a season with the last being in the NCAA Tournament of course. Could that be this year? |
|