The top-seeded men's basketball team fought its way into the Final Four by holding off an inspired Xavier squad, 66-63, in the Elite Eight in Atlanta, Ga., Sunday night.
The Blue Devils (31-5) and Musketeers (26-11) exchanged the lead all contest in a game that pitted a program that will be playing in its 14th Final Four versus a school that was making its inagural appearance in the Elite Eight.
Led by freshman Luol Deng and sophomore big man Shelden Williams, the Blue Devils were able to muster enough offense to outlast the Atlantic 10's Tournament Champion. Deng, who was named the Regional Most Valuable Player, racked up 19 points and eight rebounds, while Williams scored a double double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and multiple blocks.
Duke will square off against the nation's preseason No. 1 team and No. 2 seed, Connecticut, in the Final Four Saturday. That contest will be preceded by a mathcup between fellow ACC member and third-seeded Georgia Tech versus second-seeded Oklahoma State.
Please stay tuned to The Chronicle Online for a full report from Atlanta later this evening.
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