Duke Blue Devils vs Michigan State Spartans Basketball Recap

Duke 84, Michigan State 79

It was rousing, it was riotous, and it was rife with drama and determination. In the end, however, the defending national champions won this battle of the nation’s two best active head basketball coaches.

Yes, No. 1 Duke defeated No. 6 Michigan State 84-79 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski now has an 81-game winning streak against non-conference opponents at home, the nations longest such streak. He got the better of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, the only man who can hold a candle to what Coach K has achieved over three decades on Tobacco Road.

Duke led at the half 38-34 with its largest lead being five points. Michigan State never led in the half, surrendering 12 turnovers leading to 22 points for Duke.

Two point guards led the first-half scoring charge for their respective teams. Kyrie Irving – quickly becoming the best player in the ACC as a freshman – soared for Duke with 18 points and 3 assists ( going 2 of 3 from three-point range), while Korie Lucious stepped up big for MSU coach Tom Izzo with 13 points and 3 assists (and hitting 3 of 4 threes) for Michigan State.

Mason Plumlee had 6 points and 6 rebounds for the Blue Devils, Kyle Singler had 4 points on 2 for 8 shooting, with 5 rebounds. Garrick Sherman had 6 points and 2 rebounds for the Spartans, Delvon Roe and Adrein Payne (5 rebounds) had 4 points each.

The Blue Devils never trailed, forging ahead by 10 points with 17 minutes to go. However, the undaunted and relentless Spartans did not stop coming at the Dukies on the road. Inside one of college basketball’s great cathedrals, Sparty pulled within two with 14:35 remaining. Krzyzewski’s team kept control down the stretch, however, parrying each of MSU’s thrusts and winning by five.

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Irving was simply dazzling on this night. His agility and quickness make him not only a wildly entertaining player, the kind who commands attention from fans and hopheads across the country, but a vital cog on a veteran-laden Blue Devil roster. The seamlessness with which Irving has blended into the Duke lineup has made him, not North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, the best and most lauded freshman of the young season, not only in the ACC but in the nation at large. Irving led all scorers with 31 points, hitting 8 of 12 shots from the field and 13 for 16 from the foul line, with 6 rebounds and 4 assists as well. Nolan Smith had 17 points and 5 assists, and Kyle Singler had 15 points and 7 rebounds to aid Mr. Irving on Wednesday night in Durham, North Carolina. Mason Plumlee contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds as well for the Blue Devils.

Michigan State’s 20 turnovers may have been the difference in the game. Lucious led the Spartans in scoring with 20 points and 8 assists. Draymond Green had 16 points and 6 rebounds but 5 crucial turnovers. Kalin Lucas, MSU’s star point guard, was held to 14 points on 1-for-3 shooting beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Lucas’ sidekick, guard Durrell Summers, tabbed a modest 11 points and 4 rebounds for Michigan State. Izzo could have used more firepower from Summers in this contest.

What more can Coach K use? Not much. His team is primed to be in Houston for the Final Four. Michigan State could very well meet up with the Dukies at that point in time.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer