Grayson Allen had a senior moment in front of the collective basketball world as Duke outlasted the number 2 ranked Michigan State Spartans. Allen scored a career-high 37 points, going 11-20 from the field and 7-11 from the 3 point line. In one of the best single game performances in recent memory Grayson willed Duke to the victory. Duke had to gut through this game without its talented freshmen Marvin Bagley who went down early in the first half with what was called a “scratched eye”. Duke also battled through foul trouble in the second half but utilized depth and offensive-defensive substitutions to counter it.
The game went back and forth through both halves with the score tied 6 time and the lead having changed 4 times. Duke would build a lead and Michigan State would battle back. It was a game truly worthy of 1 vs 2 and felt like a final four contest. Wendell Carter and Trevon Duval both scored in double figures for the Devils. Wendell Carter earned a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Trevon Duval scored 17 and dished 10 assists to only 3 turnovers. Duval also added 6 steals. Off the bench for Duke Javin DeLaurier
Michigan State had a trio of 19 point scorers in Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Nick Ward. The Spartan defense blocked 12 of Duke’s shots and held Duke to only 39.5% for the game – but Duke shot 50% from both 2 and 3 point range in the second half. Duke countered poor shooting with an advantage on the boards of 46-34.
Michigan State came into the game wanting to play fast and Duke managed to slow the Spartans down by going zone. Duke used the 2-3 zone to put the Spartans in uncomfortable situations and it paid off to the tune of a 17-9 advantage in turnovers. Duke turned 17 MSU turnovers into 10 points.
Duke begins the season 3-0 and next up is Southern on Friday.
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