What Went Wrong for Duke?

WRALSportsFan

What Went Wrong for Duke?

By Dane Huffman

Mar 25, 2008

533

comments

Duke was 22-1 on Feb. 13, and looked like one of the strongest teams in the country.

But over the final stretch of the season, the Blue Devils were bounced in the ACC Tournament semifinals by Clemson and in the second round of the NCAA field by West Virginia. In fact, Duke barely survived Belmont in the first NCAA game.

So what happened? A look at the Blue Devils' statistics reveals some of the problems.

After Duke beat Maryland on Feb. 13, it was averaging 85.7 points per game and shooting 39.3 percent from three-point range.

In the next 11 games, Duke suffered five losses. In those games, the Devils averaged 78.2 points and shot 34.7 percent from three-point range.

Duke had more turnovers (156) than assists (143) in its final 11 games.

It also suffered through scoring slumps from senior star DeMarcus Nelson and freshman Kyle Singler. Nelson averaged just 12.8 points and Singler 11.1 over the final 11 games. Nelson was averaging 15.3 points and Singler 14.3 on Feb. 13.

Finally, the Blue Devils ran into teams that were physically tougher and stronger, as the rebounding totals suggest. Duke was out-rebounded 38.2 to 36.3 rebounds per game over the final 11 games.

Most Recent Comments

It's the coaching, stupid.

Not a know-it-all, just know my team. Try it once in awhile...I wouldn't want an orthopedic surgeon working on my heart. But if you are happy with the work the cardiac surgeon did with your brain who am I to judge? Have a nice day, now, you hear? ;)

Sorry Mrs Know it all TarheelTurtle he is some kind of surgeon it doesn't matter what kind... Tyler doesn't need the money and I believe he is the type of player who really enjoys college ball and will stay around for his senior year.

Geeezzz!!! When can we get beyond lowly Duke. These article are killing me. Why are we over-analyzing why Duke lost. The answer is as clear as why men are attracted to women. Duke doesn't have a Post Man. Zoubek... are you kidding me. This guy would barely start regularly on a D-II team. He has more turnovers than he has points and is as slow as Christmas. He is not and never would be the answer. That's the ONLY reason why they lost. You could say they lost because they couldn't hit 3's. That's true with ANY team that loses. Duke was Overmatched! They don't have a balanced team like they used to have. Without balance, you will lose some game sometime. Its WILL happen.

A big Post Man with talent. That's the ONLY freakin answer to why Duke lost. Now let's get on to valuable and useful sports reporting please!

Hey Duke fan cheer up. In just in short few months you will have Duke football. Also, Duke woman's wrestling team is still the best in the nation! I love those Duke woman wrestlers, especially 'hairy armpit Mary'!

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WRALSportsFan