They say the devil is in the details. But in Durham, the Blue Devils are in the details—and numbers.
Each week, the Blue Zone will dissect five key numbers from last week's action in Duke sports, whether they be historic or underwhelming. This week, let the numbers take you inside how both Blue Devil men's and women's basketball reached the Sweet 16:
47
Men’s basketball outscored Iona and Rhode Island by a combined total of 47 points this weekend in the NCAA Tournament’s first and second rounds. The Blue Devils defeated the Gaels 89-67 Thursday and punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 with another dominant 87-62 victory against an experience Rams squad.
Find out the whole story—Trevon Duval heats up to spark Duke men's basketball's first-round win vs. Iona AND THUNDER RHODE: Duke men's basketball steamrolls Rams to advance to Sweet 16
14-for-16
Freshmen big men Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr took advantage of a Rhode Island team without a starter taller than 6-foot-8, helping the Blue Devils blow out the Rams. The duo dominated the interior, combining for 35 points while converting on an extremely efficient 87.5 percent of their shot attempts in the contest.
23.5 percent
Duke held fourth-seeded Georgia to shoot just 23.5 percent from the field in its dominant 66-40 win Monday. The Blue Devils spurted to a 21-point halftime lead after outscoring the Bulldogs 20-2 in the second quarter. Georgia could not buy a basket in the period, converting on just one of its 19 attempts, a mere 5.3 percent conversion rate.
Find out the whole story—Duke women's basketball routs Georgia to advance to first Sweet 16 since 2015
15
Freshman Trevon Duval has recorded 15 assists over the Blue Devils' two games this weekend. Duval arguably had his best all-around performance of the season against Iona Thursday when he poured in 19 points while accumulating eight assists in the contest. The New Castle, Del., native sparked the Duke offense early with his perimeter shooting, converting on a career best four 3-pointers in just five tries.
Find out the whole story—Trevon Duval heats up to spark Duke men's basketball's first-round win vs. Iona
211
After a pair of victories in the opening weekend, things will certainly get tougher for women’s basketball. Duke will face a top-seeded Connecticut team Saturday that has scored 211 points through its first two tournament games, including a tournament record-setting 140 in a first round victory over St. Francis (Pa.) in which it scored 94 points in the first half.
The Blue Devils have lost their last eight games against the Huskies and have not come within 15 points in any of them.
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Digital Strategy Director for Vol. 115, Michael was previously Sports Editor for Vol. 114 and Assistant Blue Zone Editor for Vol. 113. Michael is a senior majoring in Statistical Science and is interested in data analytics and using data to make insights.