Duke University has boasted some of the top talent in men’s college basketball over the last decade, yet it has not clinched a national championship during this period. The specter of March Madness losses lingers heavily over the Blue Devils. For instance, in the 2018 Elite Eight, a last-minute shot by Grayson Allen led to an overtime defeat against Kansas. The following year, Zion Williamson, viewed as the sport’s standout player, faced an unexpected defeat against Michigan State in the Elite Eight. Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s farewell game ended in a loss to North Carolina in the Final Four. Last year, a surprising Final Four collapse against Houston left fans reeling, further compounded by the presence of top rookies like Cooper Flagg and Con Knuppel.
This season, Duke was once again loaded with talent, but the ending was, well, heartbreakingly unexpected.
On Sunday night, Braylon Mullins hit a stunning 35-foot buzzer-beater to propel UConn past Duke in the Elite Eight. Duke had maintained control throughout the game, only to falter. They had a wave of turnovers in the second half, the most critical of which came from Caden Boozer.
With just 10 seconds left in the game and a two-point lead, Duke had possession. They simply needed to maintain the ball, draw a foul, and hit free throws. Instead, the Boozer twins attempted to push the ball up the court, leading to a tipped pass, a turnover, and the game-winning three-pointer for UConn. While Boozer is facing the bulk of the criticism, it’s worth noting head coach John Scheyer’s frustrated calls for the team to hold back the ball.
As Scheyer pointed out, “One play doesn’t win the game.” Duke even held a 10-point lead with a little over six minutes to go. They committed 13 turnovers, in contrast to just five for UConn, and allowed the Huskies 13 offensive rebounds while securing only 10 for themselves.
Boozer expressed regret in a locker room interview after the loss. He felt especially disappointed for his twin brother, Cameron, who had done an outstanding job leading the team throughout the season.
Interestingly, Kayden Boozer performed quite well for most of the game against UConn, but those final moments could overshadow his future in basketball unless he redeems himself somehow.
Despite the abrupt ending, Duke had an impressive season. The team’s three losses were decided by a mere five points, finishing with an impressive 35 wins and three defeats. Just last February, they only lost four times, but managed to hold a double-digit lead in every game.
I hesitate to place the blame solely on Boozer, even if his play dipped at a critical juncture. Scheyer has to share some responsibility for failing to defend a 13-point lead against Houston last year and for the challenges in reaching the Final Four this season. Should Scheyer be under scrutiny? Maybe not just yet. He has done remarkably well stepping into Coach K’s role, as shown by his overall performance. But, with Duke, there’s always a stark contrast – either a national championship or an exit from March Madness; and once again, they have been cut short.
The first Final Four I covered was the memorable 2015 meeting, where Duke triumphed with a strong team led by a group of impressive freshmen. Since then, the Blue Devils have continually assembled formidable freshman classes, featuring players like Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson. Cameron Boozer, another standout, could be a highlight, yet it didn’t yield a title.
The primary reason for Duke’s national championship drought lies in the challenging nature of the March Madness format. It’s a single-elimination scenario where every error is amplified. Interestingly, in 2015, they weren’t even the best team, that honor belonging to Kentucky, which ended up falling to Wisconsin in the Final Four. Kentucky hasn’t been crowned since 2012, and UCLA’s only triumph since 1975 was in 1995. It often seems that the outcome hinges on a stroke of luck – and lately, that luck hasn’t favored Duke.
While Scheyer is a capable coach, he remains a pivotal figure for this team. His real-time reaction to Mullins’ winning shot was certainly noteworthy.
It’s also key to mention that Jay Wright was once labeled a tournament underachiever before he secured two national titles with Villanova. Interestingly, Coach K himself faced similar critiques prior to achieving victory with his 1991 squad.
Shire is quite young and could very well serve as Duke’s head coach for the next quarter-century, potentially building competitive teams each year. Should that unfold, he might eventually find success himself. Until then, he’ll face plenty of scrutiny. This offseason looms large for him, especially as he navigates renewals in a historically strong recruitment cycle. Duke is set to welcome a stellar freshman class, but nationally, the overall talent seems less potent compared to this past year. It appears Duke really needs to scour the transfer portal for a standout to enhance their roster.
In the end, Scheyer will likely eventually come to terms with this setback, but for now, it’s hard to shake off.
