Kyle Filipowski and Duke got pushed around again in the NCAA Tournament. This time, the Blue Devils responded to set up a Tobacco Road showdown in Big D for a spot in the Final Four.
The 7-foot sophomore center had 16 points and nine rebounds, Jeremy Roach scored all 14 of his points after halftime, and Duke advanced to the Elite Eight with a 54-51 victory over top-seeded Houston, which played the final 26 minutes Friday night without All-America point guard Jamal Shead after he turned his right ankle.
Even with Shead on the bench, the fourth-seeded Blue Devils (27-8) had to overcome a physical defense that has been one of the best in the country all season. They won despite a season low in points.
“Any questions about their mental toughness or their heart, I think they answered those tonight,” second-year coach Jon Scheyer said.
Duke was ousted in the second round a year ago when Filipowski, Roach and the Blue Devils were bullied in a 65-52 loss to Tennessee, their fewest points last season.
“This game right here was that same type of game. Just a great, gritty team and their culture. Just seeing the togetherness, how we didn’t quit out there tonight, that really shows the growth from last year,” Filipowski said. “We remember how upset we were from last year, and we didn’t want to repeat that again.”
They didn’t, and will play in the South Region final on Sunday in Dallas against an Atlantic Coast Conference rival, No. 11 seed North Carolina State.
The Wolfpack, the only double-digit seed left in this NCAA Tournament, beat No. 2 seed Marquette, 67-58, their eighth win in a row in a streak that included a 74-69 victory over the Blue Devils just two weeks ago in the ACC Tournament.
“It’s going to be crazy. A rematch of the ACC Tournament,” Roach said. “They’re on a crazy run.”
L.J. Cryer scored 15 points for Houston and J’Wan Roberts had 13. Shead finished with two points on 1-for-5 shooting with three assists and two…
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