Duke might have just provided a new definition to survive and advance.
UCF took a 4 point lead on a dunk by Tacko Fall – which was questionable of whether or not it should have been a shot clock violation before Fall got the ball.
Cam Reddish cut the lead quickly to one with a clutch three-pointer. Then, UCF’s BJ Taylor made a great drive to the basket to draw a foul on Zion Williamson and hit the 2 FTs to give the Knights a 3 point lead.
Williamson missed a three-pointer to tie the game, but Javin DeLaurier had a huge rebound to keep the possession alive. But Duke was using a lot of time as they were having trouble getting into an offensive set. That’s when Zion decided to do what he only manages to do.
Williamson drove hard to the basket, right at the 7’6″ Fall, floated the ball over the tallest player in college basketball, and scored a basket and drew the fifth foul on the UCF center. Then, Zion showed he was human. With a chance to tie the game with 14 seconds, Zion Williamson missed the rebound.
There was only one problem for the Knights. With Fall fouled out of the game, no one appeared to block out Duke’s RJ Barrett, who grabbed the offensive rebound and immediately went back up and scored the layup to give the Blue Devils a one point lead.
UCF had one last chance – and it was heart-breaking close. BJ Taylor made a nice drive to the basket and took a tough jumper along the lane. The ball went hard of the backboard and just off the front rim. Then, came Aubrey Dawkins.
Aubrey Dawkins is the son of UCF’s coach Johnny Dawkins – that’s right, the same Johnny Dawkins who played for Duke in the 80s and is second all-time in scoring for Duke. Well, his son was having a game to be remembered as he scored 32 points – hitting 12 of 18 shots, including 5 three-pointers.
Dawkins came flying into the lane and tried to tip the ball in – but his tip hit the back-board just a little too hard, hit the front of the rim, and unlike almost every other shot he took tonight, this one rolled harmlessly out. And Duke survives with a 77-76 victory. And all of us who have the Blue Devils going to the Final Four take a deep breath and exhale.
Duke has survived and advanced. By literally inches – both Taylor’s shot and Dawkins’ tip-in were so close to going in. What an amazing ending to such a great game!