Duke Blue Devils vs Butler Bulldogs Basketball Recap

Duke 82, Butler 70

This time, there was no halfcourt fling that caromed off the backboard and bounced off the rim.

This time, the Duke Blue Devils dispatched the still-pesky Butler Bulldogs with a little more ease – not much, mind you, but more than they mustered last April. Indeed, in a rematch of last season’s NCAA championship game, No. 1 Duke defeated Butler 82-70 at the IZOD Center – otherwise known as the Meadowlands – in New Jersey.

With the win, Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski now has 873 wins to tie Adolph Rupp for third on the all-time NCAA Division I list. He is three behind his old rival, Dean Smith, for second, and 26 behind Bob Knight’s 902.

Duke’s depth is what ultimately told the tale in a fierce defensive duel. Butler gave as good as it got for most of the afternoon, but an unfortunate turning point – plus the Blue Devils’ backcourt excellence – proved to be too much for last year’s little darlings in the college basketball cosmos.

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A close first half ended tied 33-33, with Duke hitting 39 percent of its shots from the field. Butler shot 48 percent. Duke guard Nolan Smith led all scorers in the half with 12, while the Blue Devils’ star guard Kyrie Irving was held to 4 points with 4 turnovers. Duke’s other star, Kyle Singler, had 7 points, but was sent to the bench with 3 fouls late in the half. Andrew Smith led the Bulldogs with 9 points, followed by Shelvin Mack with 8, and Garrett Butcher with 7 points.

Butler’s depth and foul problems were their problems in the second half. Ronald Nored and Zach Hahn received their fourth fouls early in the half, and Duke went on a 10-point run. Butler fought within three points with 7:17 in the game, but Duke had too many fresh bodies, pulling away to win by 12. Part of the “depth factor” emerged when Mack, the Bulldogs’ starting guard, left with leg cramps with 13 minutes to play and did not return. Yes, Butler made a 13-6 charge to close the gap midway through the second half, but the final seven minutes showed that the Horizon League champions had nothing left in the tank. Mack led Butler with 6 rebounds and 5 assists; his absence was keenly felt as this game wound toward its conclusion.

Smith led the Blue Devils with 24 points, hitting 13 of 14 free throws. Irving had 21 points after scoring just 4 in the first half. Singler had 13 points and 4 rebounds before fouling out with 3:03 to go.

Shawn Vanzant had 14 points and 5 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Matt Howard had 13 points and 3 rebounds before fouling out with two minutes remaining.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer