Jeremy Roach scored a career-high 23 points and No. 5 seed Duke beat Oral Roberts 74-51 Thursday in the school’s first NCAA Tournament game since Jon Scheyer took over as head coach. the Blue Devils.
Dariq Whitehead had 13 points to lead the Blue Devils (27-8), winners of the ACC Tournament.
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Duke center Kyle Filipowski, left, and Oral Roberts guard Carlos Jurgens (11) compete for a rebound during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Scheyer helped Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski win two of five national titles as a former Duke player and assistant. He is now trying to orchestrate his own March Madness magic.
In his first NCAA Tournament game as a replacement for Krzyzewski, Scheyer led Duke to a 10th straight win and an East Region second-round matchup against either fourth seed Tennessee or No. 13 seed Louisiana-Lafayette.
Oral Roberts (30-5) entered the tournament on a nation-leading 17-game winning streak, but was unable to replicate the success of two years ago, when the Golden Eagles defeated Ohio State and Florida during an astonishing run to the Sweet 16.
Duke forward Mark Mitchell (25) finishes a dunk against Oral Roberts during the first half of a first round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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Duke scored the game’s first 15 points, Oral Roberts missed 12 straight shots (seven were 3-point attempts) during a 12-minute scoring drought early in the game. Duke’s lead was never less than 13 the rest of the way.
Worn out by injuries for extended stretches of the season, Duke improved to 19-1 when Scheyer has his full roster available. While the Blue Devils have excelled defensively all year, their offense has blossomed down the stretch.
Summit League player of the year Max Abmas was held to 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting for Oral Roberts. The Golden Eagles shot just 30.2% from the field, including 8-for-32 from 3-point range.
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Duke head coach Jon Scheyer gives instructions during the first half of a first round college basketball game against Oral Roberts in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Oral Roberts: Abmas and three other starters are seniors, which means the Golden Eagles could have a new look next season.
Duke: The Blue Devils are a year away from their 17th Final Four appearance. The way they’re playing, another deep tournament run isn’t out of the question.