Clutch Plays & Young’s Hustle Propel Duke to Elite Eight
DALLAS—The opening three minutes of Duke’s Sweet 16 match against Houston were a complete disaster.
The Blue Devils found themselves in a familiar situation yet again, experiencing a sense of déjà vu as they faced an incredibly aggressive opponent who quickly surged to an 8-0 lead. This scenario was hauntingly reminiscent of their defeat to Tennessee in the second round of last year’s tournament. With urgency mounting, head coach Jon Scheyer urgently sought a solution.
Meet Ryan Young, a sixth-year graduate student recognized more for his determination than his athletic prowess. Despite facing the most physically formidable team of the season, Young emerged as an unlikely hero, calming the team’s nerves and propelling Duke back into contention. As the first half drew to a close, the Blue Devils held a narrow one-point lead, with Young boasting an impressive +12 on the scoreboard. By the game’s end, he had soared to a team-high +18, cementing his role as a pivotal player in Duke’s victory.
In a game where the outcome hinges on only three points, it’s not just impressive, it’s incredibly important.
Scheyer’s bench has shrunk a lot ever since freshman guard Caleb Foster got sidelined with an ankle injury during the Wake Forest game, ruling him out for the rest of the season. To put it bluntly, in the last five games leading up to the Sweet 16, Duke’s bench ranked second to last out of all Division-I teams when it comes to points scored per game, according to CBBAnalytics.
March victories often come down to standout performances, and Duke’s trio of Jeremy Roach, Kyle Filipowski, and Tyrese Proctor delivered crucial plays in the game against Houston. However, against a relentless team like the Cougars, relying solely on top players isn’t enough. Duke required contribution from its supporting cast, and Young was up to the task.
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“We couldn’t have pulled off that win without Ryan,” Filipowski remarked post-game.
“Scheyer noted that his defensive skills and physical presence were key factors in the game. He believed these attributes made a significant impact.”
Houston’s style of play is known for its relentless pursuit of offensive rebounds. They are currently ranked 11th in the nation for grabbing offensive boards per game. Before Young entered the game, it looked like Houston was poised to dominate Duke on the boards.
Once the Cougars couldn’t keep up their usual flow of shots, Duke tightened their defense effectively. Things got tougher for Houston, especially after senior guard Jamal Shead got sidelined with an ankle injury. They struggled to find their offensive groove, managing only 20 successful shots out of 49 attempts. Although everyone pitched in, Young’s presence on the court really ignited Duke’s defensive intensity.
If Young’s rebounding was like a small spark, then his dunk in the beginning of the second half — only his third this season — was like a huge explosion. The 24-year-old showed he still had the power to slam the ball into the hoop, grabbing a pass from Filipowski and scoring with authority despite being bumped by an opponent.
“It caught me off guard a bit. Normally, when I see a guy charging at me like that, I’d go for a pump fake, but this time, I felt confident.”
While his impressive dunk will surely make its way onto highlight reels, what truly mattered for Duke’s offense was once again the influence he had on his teammates. When Young wasn’t on the court, the Blue Devils primarily relied on Filipowski for setting ball screens. However, the Cougars effectively defended against this strategy. Ball handlers found themselves heavily double-teamed with no straightforward passing options available for relief.
When Young screened, Proctor and Roach could spot Filipowski ready for a pass. This helped Duke improve their offense as Filipowski could either score or assist, leading to better opportunities. Even when Young couldn’t play due to fouls in the second half, Duke’s offense remained confident in working through Filipowski without getting trapped or double-teamed, thanks to the momentum they had built.
“We each have our roles on the team, and we perform them excellently. But when Ryan joined, he was fully prepared. He understands his tasks perfectly, and that’s incredibly beneficial for our team.”
The victory on Saturday was defined by key moments: Roach’s clutch shots, Filipowski’s creative 3-pointers, and Proctor’s crucial defensive stops. These were standout individual performances, much like Young’s contributions that helped the Blue Devils gain control. Yet, they were also the result of teamwork, with all five players embracing their roles and contributing to the win. This cohesive effort is essential for winning a national championship, something Duke is now only three wins away from achieving.
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