Chronquiry: Your top 5 moments from the 2018-19 Duke men's basketball season

Two weeks ago, we asked about your favorite moments or aspects of Duke men's basketball's season. Here are your picks:

1. The 23-point comeback against Louisville

With less than 10 minutes left in the game, Louisville was ahead 59-36. ESPN had Duke's winning percentage at 0.1 percent. Then, freshman Cam Reddish made four 3-pointers and the other freshmen put in five layups. Tre Jones and Jordan Goldwire's defense kept the Cardinals at only 10 additional points. Eight minutes later, Duke was tied. Reddish was fouled and made both free throws, leading the Blue Devils to a win.

"My favorite moment was when Duke came back and beat Louisville this season. Duke was down 23 points and still came back. That moment showed Duke's persistence and teamwork."—Ce'Niyah Ellison

"I, unfortunately, had given up a little into the second half when they were down by their biggest margin. It wasn’t until my brother texted me a while later to turn the game on because they came back. I caught the last few minutes thanks to my brother being a better fan than me."—Thomas Duke


2. Duke wins the ACC championship

In the quarterfinals, Duke comfortably beat Syracuse, giving the Blue Devils an opportunity for another game against North Carolina, an opponent Duke lost to twice before in the season. The Blue Devils were able to see redemption against their Tobacco Road rival in the semifinals, despite being down 13 points earlier in the game. A day later, Zion Williamson led the Blue Devils against Florida State to win their 21st ACC championship

"...the Championship game was so much excitement and seeing them win it was great."—Austin Lawson


3. The brotherhood

Since the summer, the friendship of freshman phenoms Williamson, Jones, Reddish and R.J. Barrett has been well documented. Their chemistry on and off the court and their "will to win," as head coach Mike Krzyzewski would say, made the team a favorite to watch for many Duke fans. 

"The camaraderie exhibited by this team. It was refreshing to see the love for one another.  The team, albeit hampered by free throw and 3 point shooting woes, was the most exciting team to root in quite some time."—David Lontz

"I loved all the smiles from this season. Both on and off the court these young men showed a love for the game and each other, no matter the score, or pressure, or injury. They had fun, played with fire and passion, and kept sportsmanship at the core of their competition."—Adam Harding


Zion, Cam, R.J., Tre vs. St. Johns

4. Reddish's buzzer beater at Florida State

Reddish has come in clutch with 3-pointers throughout the season, but none more memorable than the dagger triple he nailed Jan. 12 to give Duke a 80-78 victory at Florida State. Williamson left the game at the end of the first half due to an eye injury, but the rest of the Blue Devils picked up the slack and Reddish slammed the door on the Seminoles' hopes of leaving victorious.

"He was in a bit of a slump but when we needed him most he came up clutch and knocked it down. A huge moment from the Blue Devils this season and one I won’t forget."—Seth Goble



5. Duke's dominant showing against Kentucky

As the Blue Devils' heralded freshman class walked onto the court for the first time Nov. 6, Duke fans were watching to see if the team would live up to the hype. It didand then some. The Blue Devils shot out to a 21-point lead after only nine minutes and never looked back, defeating the Wildcats 118-84.

"The opening game at the Champions Classic against Kentucky. It introduced these fabulous freshman phenoms to the world and gave everyone a glimpse on how fun and exciting they were going to be throughout the season."—Casey Ohman 


Editor's note: This article is a product of a service run by The Chronicle called Chronquiry. A reader submitted a question, other readers voted on the question and The Chronicle got the answer. If you have a question you would like answered about anything related to Duke, visit dukechronicle.com/page/chronquiry or submit a question below:  


Likhitha Butchireddygari

Follow Likhitha on Twitter

Class of 2019

Editor-in-chief 2017-18, 

Local and national news department head 2016-17

Born in Hyderabad, India, Likhitha Butchireddygari moved to Baltimore at a young age. She is pursuing a Program II major entitled "Digital Democracy and Data" about the future of the American democracy.

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