Re: officiating, I honestly didn't pay close attention to the high ball screening as to whether the screens were legit, but moving screens are rarely called in college hoops these days and coaches know it. Wisconsin doesn't switch, and the big will not hedge, rather stay in the lane and protect the rim. Last season, Stauskas killed them at the Kohl Center with mid-range jumpers when Kaminsky didn't come out to guard him. Duke did much the same. Refs were not sharp. When a player steps on the baseline right in front of the ref, he can't miss that. And Winslow charging twice and NO whistle either way is mind boggling. Neither was a flop. Love Tyus Jones, but his dramatic overreactions on every contested shot are ridiculous - but he gets an extra call or two dong it. The reffing changed in the second half when Duke had the ball in front of their bench - wonder why.
Enough on the refs, though. A key to the game was Duke making it difficult for Wiscy to run their offense in the second half. A lot of late shot clock forced shots. Wiscy did not shoot well from three point line. Dekker was bad, and he couldn't drive the ball effectively, either. Duke is quicker than Kentucky. Allen came up big for Duke when Wiscy got up by 9. That was a turning point. Allen and Jones brought Duke back to even with their stars in foul trouble. Cook did nothing, so Allen's contribution was critical.
Kaminsky was great when he got chances. He cleaned up the defensive boards, as well. He deserved better. Okafor was soft, and short armed a bunch of close in shots. That was Wiscy's only advantage. They were outplayed at the other spots. Duke did a smart thing pressuring Wiscy's PG full court. Even though it didn't create turnovers, it shortened the shot clock and wore them down a bit, to the point that they got a little sloppy in the front court. Wiscy got little from their bench. Another key. And Gosser disappeared.
Hated to see Duke win. Ryan will probably not get another chance at a national championship. Hard to believe that Plumlee was a McD All American. Okafor is gone. Wonder if Jones and Winslow go, too. K will reload, but he'd be losing 4 of your starting 5.
This was a great game. Exciting to watch. Time to start thinking about next season. We should be dancing next March.
Enough on the refs, though. A key to the game was Duke making it difficult for Wiscy to run their offense in the second half. A lot of late shot clock forced shots. Wiscy did not shoot well from three point line. Dekker was bad, and he couldn't drive the ball effectively, either. Duke is quicker than Kentucky. Allen came up big for Duke when Wiscy got up by 9. That was a turning point. Allen and Jones brought Duke back to even with their stars in foul trouble. Cook did nothing, so Allen's contribution was critical.
Kaminsky was great when he got chances. He cleaned up the defensive boards, as well. He deserved better. Okafor was soft, and short armed a bunch of close in shots. That was Wiscy's only advantage. They were outplayed at the other spots. Duke did a smart thing pressuring Wiscy's PG full court. Even though it didn't create turnovers, it shortened the shot clock and wore them down a bit, to the point that they got a little sloppy in the front court. Wiscy got little from their bench. Another key. And Gosser disappeared.
Hated to see Duke win. Ryan will probably not get another chance at a national championship. Hard to believe that Plumlee was a McD All American. Okafor is gone. Wonder if Jones and Winslow go, too. K will reload, but he'd be losing 4 of your starting 5.
This was a great game. Exciting to watch. Time to start thinking about next season. We should be dancing next March.
