Duke secured its spot in the Sweet 16 with an 89-66 win over Baylor, capitalizing on a dominant second half after trailing by one point at halftime. The Blue Devils’ “killer instinct” took over as they closed the first half on a 24-6 run, opening a 17-point lead.
Star Cooper Flagg struggled with early foul trouble and the Bears’ strong paint presence but ultimately finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Despite the impressive margin of victory, Duke’s focus remains on winning each possession rather than accumulating large point differentials.
Head coach Jon Scheyer highlighted his team’s ability to “not let our foot off the gas” and maintain a high level of intensity throughout the game. The Blue Devils’ 13-game winning streak continues, with 21 of their 33 wins this season coming by at least 20 points.
Duke’s strong defensive effort was crucial in securing the win. As point guard Sion James noted, “every time down the floor we think of as an individual battle” – and if a team can win enough battles, they will ultimately emerge victorious.
While Duke is aware of its near-misses in recent games, including a collapse against North Carolina in the ACC tournament, coach Scheyer emphasized the team’s collective mentality: “There are no second chances.” The Blue Devils’ focus on individual effort and teamwork has contributed to their impressive margin of victory over Baylor.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44376096/cooking-1-seed-duke-rolls-baylor-sweet-16