BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Jon Scheyer understands the unique pressures that accompany wearing a Duke uniform. The highs feel elevated, and the spotlight shines brighter than usual.
“And when things aren’t going well, it can feel like you’re underperforming more than you actually are,” the Duke head coach and former star guard explained. “Losing in the ACC tournament or our last regular-season game can sometimes feel like the end of the world, even though this is the moment these guys came back for.”
Just a week ago, the Blue Devils were reeling from losses to North Carolina and NC State. Center Kyle Filipowski emphasized that victories cannot be assumed just because they are Duke; they must be earned, a lesson learned from their previous NCAA Tournament defeat to Tennessee.
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The Blue Devils booked a ticket to the Sweet 16 with a commanding 93-55 victory over James Madison. This is the moment these players like Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor returned for, a dream come true.
“It’s what you dream of as a kid,” Proctor shared.
Filipowski added, “We learned our lesson from last year. We didn’t want a repeat.”
JARED McHIM 🕺🕺
🔥 30 points with 11 minutes to go
🔥 Most 1H points by any player in this tournament
🔥 Most 3-point field goals made in an NCAA Tournament by a Duke player (8) pic.twitter.com/azdmyZ9b0H
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 24, 2024
The fourth-seeded Duke team dominated James Madison, with standout performances from Jared McCain and Filipowski. The team played a near-flawless game, shooting over 50% from the field, assisting on 22 baskets, and committing just six turnovers.
“I don’t know if we expected this outcome,” Scheyer admitted after the game.
The losses in the ACC tournament provided a valuable learning opportunity for improvement. Scheyer praised his team’s resilience and commitment to self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of humility in the game.
“The silver lining in those losses was the chance to reflect and work on ourselves,” Scheyer reflected. “I’m proud of our team for staying focused on the process.”
Post-game analysis highlighted Duke’s exceptional passing and defensive prowess against James Madison, setting the tone early to control the game.
Filipowski credited solid defense as the key to their success, acknowledging the team’s overall stellar performance.
The victory propels Duke to face Houston in the Elite Eight, marking a remarkable turnaround from recent setbacks. The journey was a testament to resilience and growth.
“You have to embrace the challenges that come your way,” Scheyer concluded. “Handling them with the right attitude prepares you for greater success. That’s what we saw in our performance today.”
(Photo of Jared McCain: Elsa / Getty Images)