Paulus comes off bench to give Duke boost in 76-67 win over Georgetown

Duke

Paulus comes off bench to give Duke boost in 76-67 win over Georgetown

By Jake Lloyd

Jan 18, 2009

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Gerald Henderson scored the most points and Kyle Singler grabbed the most rebounds, but Greg Paulus' teammates didn't downplay the impact he had on Duke's 76-67 win over Georgetown Saturday.

Besides scoring 10 points, dishing out two assists and making a steal in 23 minutes, Paulus came off the bench to fire up his teammates — and the crowd — when Georgetown was attempting to come back in the second half.

"That was by far his best performance this year," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "What he showed was fight.

"We don't win the game without Greg today. No doubt about it."

Henderson led Duke with 23 points, and Singler added 15 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for the third-ranked Blue Devils (16-1), who won their nation-leading 68th consecutive non-conference home game — a streak that will carry over to the 2009-10 season.

It's been a difficult year for Paulus, who hasn't started for the first time in his career and has seen large drops in all his numbers. He, simply, hasn't been as big a part of the team. While a year ago he often was surrounded by reporters following games, that hasn't been the case — until Saturday.

Afterward, he happily answered questions to a swarm of reporters for several minutes, probably answering the same inquiries several times. It was nothing for Paulus, who is one of three captains for the Blue Devils.

That fact has often been overlooked because of his lack of production, but his leadership was on display Saturday as he didn't back down against the 13th-ranked, physical Hoyas (12-4) of the Big East, who got 21 points from DaJuan Summers and 15 from Austin Freeman.

When the 6-foot-8, 236-pound Summers bumped him late in the first half after they got tangled up, Paulus bumped right back and looked Summers in the face without hesitating. This incited a "Greg Paulus" chant from the crowd.

"It's just one of those things where it's our court and I don't want anybody to come in here and push us around," Paulus said.

It didn't hurt Paulus' motivation for a big game that all four of his older brothers went to Georgetown. While he couldn't get tickets for everyone, some family members were inside packed Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Paulus' teammates know they'll need similar performances from their backup point guard if they're going to win upcoming big-time matchups against teams like Wake Forest and North Carolina.

"We definitely need that out of Greg," said Nolan Smith, who happily shared the backcourt with Paulus for most of the second half. "That's how Greg should play every single game.

"When he's shooting the ball well, that gets him going. Greg's a shooter."

But it wasn't just Paulus' shooting that sparked the Devils' key run.

Duke extended a tenuous 46-42 lead to 52-42 early in the second half, thanks in part to a controversial technical foul on Georgetown freshman Greg Monroe (12 points) while he sat on the bench. Freeman, however, scored a putback to get the Hoyas back within eight.

That's when Paulus put his stamp on the game. First he made a steal near midcourt, and seconds later he penetrated the lane and lofted up a floater to extend Duke's lead back to 10.

Paulus then made the play of the game, sneaking in from behind Summers — who had just grabbed a defensive rebound — and making a football-like play to knock it from his firm grasp. The ball bounced toward the corner in front of Duke's bench, and Paulus was able to knock it off Summers.

"They've got a lot of size and length and strength, so one of the things we needed to do was be scrappy and fight a little bit and try to make those 50-50 balls (go) in our favor," Paulus said.

"I just wanted the ball. So whatever it was, I was just trying to get it."

On Duke's ensuing possession, right on cue, Paulus nailed his typical 3-pointer from well beyond the 3-point arc to give Duke a 57-44 advantage. The Hoyas didn't get closer than eight until the final minute.

While Cameron is always loud and an intimidating place for opponents to play, Paulus' teammates said that his big plays — and his pounding of the floor with his hands, as he did after the big 3-pointer — take the atmosphere to a completely different level.

"When you look at him with that kind of energy and that kind of fire, how can you not get fired up?" Brian Zoubek said. "It's inspiring, it's motivating and it makes you feel good when you see him like that.

"He's struggled a bit this year, and to see him like that is really good."

Krzyzewski believes Paulus is finally healthy for the first time this season. During the offseason, he spent two and a half months rehabbing his knee. And in late November, he suffered a right forearm contusion and missed his first career game. The injury lingered and affected his perimeter shooting, which is what he does best.

Paulus also is one of Duke's best ball-handlers, which is why he was on the floor alongside Smith for the majority of the second half as Duke nursed its lead. Especially once the game got in the last 5 minutes, the Devils spread the floor and ran the shot clock all the way down before running their offense.

"Greg and I can both handle the ball, so if he wants to come get it (out top) or I'm going to get it, I have confidence in his ability and he has confidence in mine," Smith said.

"And then, on every team (we face) there's always going to be one defender who's not as good as the other guy guarding the point guard, so if I have a good defender on me I can give it to him and ease the pressure off of me."

Smith said he expects Duke to use the two-point-guard lineup more during ACC play, and that wouldn't be surprising if Paulus continues to play — and inspire — like he did Saturday.

"Whether the team is from the Northeast, the South or the West, you want to win and you want to win at home," Paulus said. "You want to protect your home turf.

"We really wanted to win this one, not because it was ACC-Big East, but just because we're playing and we hate to lose."

Most Recent Comments

RE: Paulus comes off bench to give Duke boost in 76-67 win over Georgetown

GREAT win by my Dukies! I thought we would win the game, but I never expected Duke to totally dominate G'town. G and Paulus were in the zone! The big east officials were about the worst I've ever seen in person. I normally don't complain about the officiating, but they were blatantly horrible. Did anyone else think the National Anthem was awesome? That was probably one of the top five I've seen in person.

RE: Paulus comes off bench to give Duke boost in 76-67 win over Georgetown

Looking forward to the Wake game. Should be a matchup of 1 vs. 2, in one order or another. wake has only one game before then and Duke has two games they should win. Still seats available as of last Wednesday, (how, I don't know) so lets get some blue in the arena and support those Devils!! I know LJVM will be rocking.

RE: Paulus comes off bench to give Duke boost in 76-67 win over Georgetown

GO DUKE!! How can a fan of the Holes bit@h about officiating?? Handjob had 8 ft's in opening 12 minutes last night and 17 against UVA. Give me a break!! Duke beat G'Town, no help required!!

RE: Paulus comes off bench to give Duke boost in 76-67 win over Georgetown

wake gave Duke fits last year. and they've only gotten better since.

RE: Paulus comes off bench to give Duke boost in 76-67 win over Georgetown

Great win from Duke to show those Big East fans who really has the best conference. I am a UNC fan but right now Duke and Wake Forest are the teams to watch. My heels some to be getting their stride back but right now Duke and Wake Forest are playing at the highest level. Duke and Wake will be a match up that will be really fun to watch. I think Wake could give Duke fits.

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