Nov 4, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) appears for a gap to go in the course of the second half in opposition to the Maine Black Bears at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Zachary Taft-Imagn Pictures Two of faculty basketball’s conventional powers — No. 12 Duke and No. 17 Arizona — will play in Tucson, Ariz., for the primary time in additional than 20 years on Friday evening.
That sport coached by Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Arizona’s Lute Olson on Feb. 24, 1991, went into double time beyond regulation and the Wildcats outlasted Duke 103-96.
The late Bison Dele, then often known as Brian Williams, led Arizona with 24 factors.
Duke featured Bobby Hurley (who now coaches Arizona’s archrival, Arizona State), Grant Hill and Christian Laettner.
It is a collection dotted by huge video games in historical past.
After that 1991 sport, the groups cut up 4 neutral-site video games — together with Duke beating the Wildcats within the 2000-01 nationwide championship sport — earlier than Arizona defeated the Blue Devils 78-73 final season at Durham, N.C.
Arizona has a 6-4 edge within the collection that dates to 1961.
“Friday units as much as be an epic evening for early-season school basketball,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd mentioned.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer, who performed for Krzyzewski with the Blue Devils, mentioned he had Arizona amongst his three finalists when he was recruited by Olson in 2001.
He was within the stands in Minneapolis when Duke beat Arizona within the nationwide title sport.
“I keep in mind being at that sport and desirous to play video games like that — after which Lute Olson recruited me,” Scheyer mentioned. “Arizona was one in all my closing three colleges. So, personally, I’ve quite a lot of respect for Arizona, this system that they’ve, and Tommy.”
Friday’s sport, finishing the home-and-home association, pits the Blue Devils (3-1) with freshman Cooper Flagg, projected to be the No. 1 total decide within the subsequent NBA draft, in opposition to the Wildcats (2-1). Arizona is led by preseason All-American fifth-year guard Caleb Love.
Love has a private rivalry with Duke, having performed three years at North Carolina earlier than transferring to Arizona final season. He scored 28 factors when North Carolina eradicated Duke within the 2022 Last 4.
Love’s efficiency in a 103-88 loss final Friday at Wisconsin mirrored that of the Wildcats’ struggles, scoring solely six factors on 2-of-13 capturing from the sector earlier than fouling out with 4:57 left.
The Wildcats by no means led and their perimeter protection allowed Wisconsin 12 pictures from 3-point vary. John Tonje burned Arizona with 41 factors.
“I am not fascinated by going undefeated, under no circumstances,” Lloyd mentioned. “Our program’s able to take the subsequent step and I am prepared to guide the cost. We have got to teach higher. We have got to play higher.
“We will return, take a breath, get residence, and, and we’re excited for the chance we obtained (in opposition to Duke).”
Duke had the chance to reset itself after dropping to Kentucky 77-72 at Atlanta on Nov. 12.
The Blue Devils defeated Wofford 86-35 at residence final weekend. Tyrese Proctor led a balanced scoring effort with 15 factors. Flagg had 9 rebounds with eight factors, six assists, three steals and two blocked pictures.
“An ideal bounce-back sport,” Scheyer mentioned. “I’m actually pleased with how we shared the ball (season-high 24 assists on 30 made subject objectives). We have talked loads in regards to the technique of the season, how it doesn’t matter what, win or lose, the way you reply is de facto necessary.”
–Discipline Degree Media
