Sports | Basketball - The Chronicle

Duke struggled to keep Louisville out of the paint Saturday.

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BUBBLE TROUBLE: Duke men's basketball falls to Louisville, puts NCAA tournament hopes in jeopardy

By Derek Saul | February 27, 2021

The best game of Matthew Hurt’s career wasn’t enough. Somehow, Hurt’s career-high 37 points didn’t end in a Duke victory in Saturday night's overtime thriller. A Louisville team led by superior perimeter play and relentless offensive rebounding escaped Cameron Indoor Stadium with an 80-73 win in a game that carried serious implications for a coveted at-large bid in the NCAA tournament.

Matthew Hurt continued his offensive barrage in the first half Saturday, but Louisville holds the edge.

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Five observations from Duke men's basketball's first half against Louisville

By Glen Morgenstern | February 27, 2021

Although Matthew Hurt has starred thus far, Duke has not been able to stop the Cardinals’ offense, with Louisville taking a 36-26 advantage into the break. Here are five observations from the game’s first 20 minutes.

Freshman center Mark Williams has anchored the Blue Devils' defense over the last few weeks.

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Preview: Duke men's basketball set to take on Louisville with major NCAA tournament implications

By Evan Kolin | February 26, 2021

ESPN's Joe Lunardi has Louisville as one of the final eight teams making the tournament in his latest bracket, with the Blue Devils sitting as one of the final eight teams left out.

Duke needs another well-rounded performance from Jeremy Roach when Louisville comes to town Saturday.

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X-Factor: Duke men's basketball needs another well-rounded performance from Jeremy Roach against Louisville

By Sam Mickenberg | February 25, 2021

This recent stretch of improved play has put Duke right back into the conversation for the NCAA tournament, and its next test comes Saturday against Louisville.

Big man Mark Williams did not play when Louisville and Duke met earlier this season.

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Then and now: How has Duke men's basketball changed since its last matchup with Louisville?

By Cameron DeChurch | February 25, 2021

The 70-65 loss for the Blue Devils can largely be attributed to foul trouble, poor rebounding and missed opportunities, but Duke has made significant improvements in all three of those areas since the first matchup.

Williamson is averaging 25.1 points per game on 61.6% from the field to this point in the season.

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Three former Blue Devils receive All-Star nods, including first for Zion Williamson

By Micah Hurewitz | February 24, 2021

While Coach K’s Duke team faces an uncertain future, his former protégés are succeeding in the NBA like never before.

Former Duke point guard Tre Jones is now back with the San Antonio Spurs after a brief G League stint that lasted until Monday.

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Duke in the NBA: Williamson shines, Jones and Carey impress in G League

By Michael Murata | February 24, 2021

Several former Blue Devils have had an impressive first half in the 2020-21 season.

Jeremy Roach had arguably his most complete game as a Blue Devil Monday night, notching 14 points and seven assists.

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Column: Can Duke men's basketball keep 'cooking'?

By Derek Saul | February 23, 2021

There’s real reason to think that something has changed with this team, and that they can continue to bolster their case for a bid to March Madness.

Freshman center Mark Williams was stellar Monday, as his paint presence was on display from the opening tip.

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One word for Duke men's basketball vs. Syracuse: Rejuvenating

By Jonathan Levitan | February 23, 2021

While it is best not to put too much stock into a win over a mid-tier team such as the Orange, it is hard not to be excited about Duke’s resurgence after another stellar outing Monday night.

Mark Williams set career-highs with 18 points and 11 rebounds while adding two blocks.

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ORANGE CRUSHED: Duke men's basketball blows out Syracuse to extend win streak to 4

By Conner McLeod | February 22, 2021

The Blue Devils' season-long improvement was put on full display against the Orange from the first possession.

Freshman Jeremy Roach got off to a hot start from beyond the arc against Syracuse.

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Five observations from Duke men's basketball's first half against Syracuse

By Derek Saul | February 22, 2021

Duke's offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half against Syracuse.

Duke is losing to extend its three-game winning streak as the Orange visit Durham.

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Prop bets for Duke men's basketball vs. Syracuse

By Cameron DeChurch | February 22, 2021

With a quick turnaround after beating then-No. 7 Virginia Saturday, the Blue Devils enter tonight's matchup against Syracuse as 5.5-point favorites.

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Preview: Duke men's basketball looking to continue momentum against a formidable Syracuse offense

By Cameron DeChurch | February 22, 2021

The Blue Devils will look to their talented young players to again rise to the occasion and their few experienced players to contribute as they look to secure their fourth consecutive win.

With Jalen Johnson done for the season, Jaemyn Brakefield is fitting his role quite nicely.

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One word vs. Virginia: Electrifying

By Micah Hurewitz | February 21, 2021

The energy permeating from Duke’s grit and will to finish strong held No. 7 Virginia to 0-5 shooting and zero points as the game wound to a nail-biting conclusion and a first-rate win.

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Cameron Chronicles Season 4, Episode 7: 'Tourney Bound?'

By Derek Saul and Shane Smith | February 21, 2021

Hosts Derek Saul and Shane Smith are back to analyze the Blue Devils' big win over Virginia, playing without Jalen Johnson and where the team's NCAA tournament chances are right now.

Freshman Jaemyn Brakefield had four blocks against Virginia, one of which ended up being a deciding factor in the final minutes.

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X-Factor: Duke men's basketball needs another big game from Jaemyn Brakefield against Syracuse

By Jonathan Levitan | February 21, 2021

Brakefield displayed the ability to score in bursts with a quick seven-point first half run and an impressive level of defensive versatility, a quality extremely valuable to Duke’s style of play this season.

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In a season full of close losses, Duke men's basketball finally delivers in crunch time for win against No. 7 Virginia

By Shane Smith | February 21, 2021

The Blue Devils took every punch from the Cavaliers down the stretch and hit back for the first time this season.

Duke's sideline celebrates after Virginia's last-second shot attempt falls short at the buzzer.

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DEJA-HOOS: Duke men's basketball upsets No. 7 Virginia to keep NCAA tournament hopes alive

By Evan Kolin | February 20, 2021

The stage was set for a Blue Devil upset win. The last time an unranked Duke faced Virginia, just over five years ago, the Blue Devils shocked the seventh-ranked Cavaliers in Cameron Indoor Stadium, with Grayson Allen hitting an acrobatic, one-handed bank shot to win it at the buzzer. And Saturday night in the same home venue, Duke did it again, taking down No. 7 Virginia 66-65.

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Five observations from Duke men's basketball's first half against Virginia

By Shane Smith | February 20, 2021

In what some consider a must-win game for a trip to the NCAA tournament, the Blue Devils shot the ball well early and lead the No. 7 Cavaliers 39-36 heading into the locker room.

Mark Williams has really embraced his role on the team and is having an explosive second half of the season.

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X-Factor vs. Virginia: Mark Williams needs to continue his paint domination

By Ramona Naseri | February 20, 2021

Williams set career highs in the N.C. State game, with 13 points, five blocks, and 27 minutes. He has totaled 22 blocked shots thus far, eighth in the ACC and 14th among NCAA freshmen this season.