FSU Game Commentary

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Located in the heart of the research triangle, three has always been a good number for Duke basketball: Three national championships, last year the team had three All-ACC first team players for the first time in the league's history and the Blue Devils have always relied heavily on great three-point shooting

This trend, however, did not continue Sunday in a 75-70 loss to Florida State, as the Blue Devils shot 32.4 percent from the three-point line in a game where they scored on three consecutive possessions only once in their third consecutive ACC road loss.

Down 41-32 in the closing seconds of the first half, 19 of Duke's 32 shots had been from behind the arc, and the Blue Devils had made just six of them. But this was before Duke's starter at the three position, J.J. Redick, curled off a screen several feet outside the top-of-the-key, received a pass from Duhon, squared his body and nailed a three pointer just before the half's buzzer rang.

Although Duke had played one of its worst halves of the year and the Seminoles had shot 68 percent, the number three had given Duke the momentum going into the second half.

"I had good shots from the outside the whole game," Redick said after he finished 5-for-18 from the field, making him 11 for his last 44.

The Blue Devils did nothing with this momentum, however, as Florida State's Tim Pickett and Anthony Richardson carried Florida State to a 48-37 lead with 15:36 remaining in the game. Duke countered by turning to its three game, as Redick and reserve Lee Melchionni hit back-to-back shots from beyond 20 feet.

The Blue Devils were able to capitalize on the momentum this time, as Duke clawed its way to a 49-49 tie after three consecutive lay-ups.

Duke was unable to sustain this intensity, as Florida State immediately went on a seven-zero run, pushing its lead to 56-49.

As the shot was released in Redick's trademark picture perfect form, Florida State and its fans sighed as it appeared that Duke would bury another opponent with its mastery of the three. The shot rimmed out, though, and Florida State refused to give Duke another chance to take a lead.

"We were very fortunate that they had one of their off nights shooting," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. "I'd like to take total credit, but I realize they had some good looks that just didn't fall."

Duke almost used the three to squeak out a victory as Daniel Ewing swished a shot from behind the arc with 10 seconds remaining, cutting the Seminoles lead to one.

But clutch free-throw shooting by Pickett and tremendous ball handling by the entire Florida State squad ended Duke's chances of pulling out a victory in a game where it shot only 35 percent from the field.

"We could never get the lead," Krzyzewski said. "That puts on a little game pressure."

In the end, Krzyzewski felt his team had over-relied on the aspect that played a big role in making Duke a national power.

He did point out that, despite such a strong predilection towards the three, his side nonetheless squandered too many easy attempts off the break from close range.

Duke performed poorly in the open floor, missing two dunks.

"Forget about the three," Krzyzewski said. "We had numerous opportunities in transition to win, but when we did, we didn't come through.... We missed four terrific chances. "