Acc post season preview 2017

Photo Illustration by Matthew Conley | The Chronicle

Putting Knowledge to Work.

Duke I&E provides a comprehensive set of programs and resources that encourage members of the Duke community to tackle challenges and create solutions that impact lives.

Explore Some of Our Programs and Resources: entrepreneurship.duke.edu

2 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

Where Real Duke Fans Shop!

TOP QUALITY MERCHANDISE. EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. Providing you with the largest selection of officially licensed Duke apparel, gifts and souvenirs, we are your headquarters for the largest selection of everything Duke!

GOOD LUCK in the MEN’S TOURNAMENT! Upper Level, Bryan Center, West Campus Phone: 919.684.2344 Academic Year Store Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 8:30am - 7pm Thursday & Friday: 8:30am - 8pm Saturday: 9am - 6pm | Sunday: 11am - 4pm

SHOPDUKESTORES.DUKE.EDU Department of Duke University Stores®

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 3

KENNARD’S FANCY FOOTWORK

FROM RESERVE TO SUPERSTAR Luke Kennard has become one of the top scorers in the country

Hank Tucker The Chronicle With 10 seconds left and Duke trailing Wake Forest by one on the road Jan. 28, freshman Harry Giles set a screen in the paint to free up Luke Kennard.

Frank Jackson released a pass from the top of the key with Kennard—who had already scored 27 points in the second half that afternoon—still several feet inside the 3-point line. The sophomore guard then made several fundamental moves in about three seconds.

He took two long strides to the arc with the ball approaching, caught it with his feet in the air, rotated his body, planted his feet to somehow get squared up and balanced, elevated and drained the gamewinning triple.

It was a shot with a high degree of difficulty with his momentum going away from the basket, but Kennard made it look easy. The ACC’s scoring leader has made similar feats look easy all year because of the elite footwork that he honed in the offseason. The game has slowed down for him on offense, and his preparation to shoot before he receives the ball has helped him become an NBA-ready shooter and rise into the first round of mock drafts.

“Last year, I was trying to get used to the speed of the game. This year, it’s been great so far, especially throughout the summer when we played a lot of open-gym games,” Kennard said at the team’s preseason media day. “Picking up the speed of the game is really the main thing that I’ve kind of gotten used to and gotten better with....

I’ve been in the gym a lot.”

When head coach Mike Krzyzewski called Kennard the Blue Devils’ best player in practice after Duke’s first exhibition game in October, the declaration raised a few eyebrows. The Franklin, Ohio, native had a solid but inconsistent freshman season and may have even come off the bench before freshmen Jayson Tatum

Kevin Zheng | The Chronicle Sophomore Luke Kennard is the only player in a Power-5 conference averaging at least 20 points per game and shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line.

and Marques Bolden went down with preseason injuries.

But when the door opened for playing time, Kennard seized his chance and never let it go, playing 35.6 minutes per game during the regular season and making the most of every minute on the court. He shot 13.0 percent better from beyond the arc and 8.3 percent better from the field than he did last year on his way to pouring in 20.1 points per contest.

With backcourt mate Grayson Allen hobbled by an ankle injury, Kennard has played at least 36 minutes in every game since the start of February.

“He’s been our most consistent player the entire season and one of the better

Get TheDirt The Chronicle brings you a weekly summary of events, ideas and news items that that are trending at Duke and in the Triangle.

Read all you need to know with The Dirt!

thebluedirt.com

players in the country,” freshman Jayson Tatum said. “He’s just someone you can look up to on the court, and he helps us out every day in practice and throughout the games. We’re trying to get up to par to where he’s at.”

Although Kennard has become a more consistent outside shooter and is sixth in the ACC in 3-point percentage, his midrange game has been even deadlier.

The 6-foot-6 guard is taking 58.9 percent of his shots from inside the arc this season—compared to 48.7 percent last year—and is converting on 54.1 percent of his 2-pointers.

Kennard is not as fast as most of the players he matches up against, but keeps

his defenders off balance with an array of smooth spin moves and turnarounds and a quick release on his jumper once he gets to his spots.

“He set the table in November and December for what you could expect, and then he’s delivered. He’s there.

He’s really good. His footwork in the lane is beautiful,” Krzyzewski said Friday before the North Carolina game.

“When he comes off of stuff, and his ability to use right or left hand—he’s been a really outstanding player this year. And he’s a no-maintenance guy.

He’s just so easy to coach.”

See KENNARD on Page 16

www.dukechronicle.com

4 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

The Chronicle

Blowouts • Cut • Color Special Occasions

10% off with Duke ID NINTH STREET 737 9th Street, Suite 250 919.246.4600 ERWIN ROAD 2608 Erwin Road, Suite 108 919.748.3175

Central Pool Memberships Now On Sale!

Opening April 17!

Memberships must be purchased at the Card Office.

VALID MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED FOR ENTRY. For more information contact Abi Rutledge at abi.rutledge@duke.edu

Stay connected with at recreation.duke.edu or @dukerec!

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 5

ONE LAST STAND

Jefferson and Jones close out decorated careers Brian Pollack The Chronicle This year’s Duke team features a long list of players who will not be back next year for an assortment of reasons.

Freshmen Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles are set to become the next potential Blue Devil one-and-dones and cash in their NBA paychecks. Junior Grayson Allen spurned the professional ranks last year and decided to return for one more season, making it possible that he, too, will not be around next fall. Sophomore Luke Kennard has enjoyed a breakout year and, after seeing Allen’s draft stock plummet this season after a similar sophomore campaign, may also be tempted to leave Durham for good.

Each of those players has the choice to return to Duke but, should they go, the quartet will leave behind a sizable hole to fill on the court.

But none of them represents the heart and soul of the Blue Devils the way that Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones—the two players who cannot come back next year—do.

In an era featuring few seniors at top programs, Duke is fortunate enough to have a pair of experienced co-captains in Jefferson and Jones. Together, the duo has taken the floor more than 280 times for the Blue Devils, embracing a hard-nosed, throwback mentality on the hardwood and bridging the gap with their younger, flashier teammates.

“Our program is about the veterans, because as good as the kids are who come

Juan Bermudez | Chronicle File Photo Graduate student Amile Jefferson has fought through a right-foot bone bruise to still be Duke’s most consistent player in the paint.

here, and they don’t stay the whole time, they’re great kids, but they have to learn the culture from somebody,” Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said after the team’s win against Florida State Feb. 28. “It’s the older guys that you learn the culture from.”

The privilege of having Jones for four seasons and Jefferson for five has certainly not been lost on Krzyzewski, who often goes out of his way to highlight their contributions in ways that a traditional box score cannot measure.

After the Blue Devils knocked off the Seminoles on Senior Night to send their two veterans off with a final win in Cameron, the 70-year-old head coach took a moment to share a personal memory. Each year, Krzyzewski and his family have a tradition of taking all seniors, managers included,

out to dinner the night before their final home game as a way to thank them for their contributions to the program.

As usual, this year’s dinner was lighthearted, Krzyzewski said, and his daughters peppered the players with questions about their favorite experiences or games. But the five-time-national champion who has coached dozens of grizzled veterans said he could not help but realize how special the two sitting across from him are.

“It was like a family being together, and looking across, and I didn’t say it, but I’m looking at especially Matt and Amile saying, ‘How lucky am I to have these kids for four and five years?’” Krzyzewski said. “They’ve won 100-something games. Whatever their See SENIORS on Page 17

Chris Teufel | The Chronicle Senior Matt Jones has struggled with his shot late in the season but still made his mark with hustle plays and by guarding opponents’ best players every night.

Term 1: May 17-June 29 Term 2: July 3-August 13

(4-week courses also available in both terms)

Let your future run through Summer Session 2017

summersession.duke.edu summer@duke.edu

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

6 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

PREVIEWING THE TOP SIX SEEDS

1. NORTH CAROLINA With the Tar Heels’ two best players from last year’s national runner-up gone, many wondered how North Carolina would respond this season.

Head coach Roy Williams’ side put those concerns to rest with another ACC regular-season title—the program’s eighth in 14 seasons—and looks to be in line for another No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Led by ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson and secondteam All-ACC point guard Joel Berry II, the Tar Heels once again have one of the most balanced offenses in the nation thanks to a four-player rotation up front that makes North Carolina the best rebounding team in the country.

After starting the year out strong with dominant nonconference wins against Oklahoma State and Wisconsin in Maui, North Carolina dropped close contests at Indiana and against Kentucky in a 103-100 thriller in Las Vegas. The Tar Heels looked shaky in their ACC opener—a 75-63 loss at

Georgia Tech—before ripping off seven straight wins to grab first place in the ACC standings.

Despite losing two of four in the heart of conference play at Miami and at Duke, North Carolina sealed the regular-season conference title with a late four-game winning streak sparked by the resurgence of junior swingman Theo Pinson. The Tar Heels avenged their loss to Duke in the season finale Saturday, and boast wins against every top-eight seed they could see this week in New York.

—Andrew Donohue

3. NOTRE DAME Notre Dame was extremely streaky during ACC play. The Fighting Irish started off with five straight conference wins, then dropped five of six and finally rattled off a six-game winning streak to earn themselves a No. 3 seed in the ACC tournament.

Now, head coach Mike Brey’s squad is likely set to face sixth-seeded Virginia in the quarterfinals, a team that beat Notre Dame by 17 earlier this year and whose stringent pack-line defense provides a challenge for the Fighting Irish offense.

Notre Dame relies heavily on a quartet of veterans—junior forward Bonzie Colson, senior forward V.J. Beachem, junior guard Matt Farrell and senior guard Steve Vasturia—for scoring, as the four are the Fighting Irish’s only players averaging more than six points per game. At just 6-foot-5, Colson leads the ACC in rebounding and often plays as a versatile five in an undersized lineup that loves to space the floor and stretch

the defense.

Coming off back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, Notre Dame has plenty of experience in big games and has the offense to execute well down the stretch.

The Fighting Irish are an excellent freethrow shooting team, leading the nation at 80.9 percent, and all five of their starters are at 75 percent or better from the charity stripe.

If Colson can stay out of foul trouble, Notre Dame has the weapons to make another deep postseason run.

—Brian Pollack

5. DUKE The Blue Devils entered the 2016-17 season with a host of high expectations.

Duke boasted four five-star recruits, junior Grayson Allen was a favorite for National Player of the Year and the squad was the consensus No. 1 team in the nation. Given the preseason hype, questions remain about whether the Blue Devils under-performed this season or if those expectations were unrealistic.

Injuries plagued Duke throughout the season, forcing the likes of Allen, Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, Marques Bolden Amile Jefferson to see limited action during various stretches of the season. Many thought the Blue Devils would boast a deep frontcourt, but Giles, Bolden and Chase Jeter hardly made an impact in ACC play.

Instead, Duke relied on its perimeter players, with first-team All-ACC guard Luke Kennard, Allen and Tatum carrying the offense. That inconsistency up front hurt the Blue Devils, who

bookended a seven-game winning streak featuring three ranked wins against North Carolina, Notre Dame and Virginia by losing three of four in January and to finish the season. Duke went just 3-6 in league road games, and finds itself playing on Wednesday in the ACC tournament as the No. 5 seed for the second straight year.

But if Allen can give the Blue Devils some clutch long-range shooting, Duke has shown it has the firepower to hang with the league’s top teams even with a thin rotation.

—Alex Sanfilippo

2. FLORIDA STATE

Just a season after finishing 11th in the ACC, the Seminoles rode stellar play from sophomore guard Dwayne Bacon and a deep supporting cast surrounding him to vault to the No. 2 seed. Even after losing four players and freshman phenom Malik Beasley to the NBA last season, Florida State employed a 12-man rotation that kept the team fresh and helped it pick up six wins against ranked teams. Although just three players finished the regular season averaging more than 10 points per game, no Seminole averages more than 30 minutes per contest.

Florida State started the season hot, opening the year 18-2 to establish itself as a potential Final Four team. The physical Seminoles closed that run by going 5-1 in a brutal six-game stretch against ranked foes that many thought would derail the team.

Instead, Florida State rose to the occasion, knocking off Virginia, Duke and Louisville to establish itself as a true ACC contender.

But after that stretch, the Seminoles struggled to sustain their level of play

away from home, dropping consecutive road contests against Georgia Tech and Syracuse before closing the season by winning just six of their last 11 games. A win Saturday against Miami was enough to earn Florida State a double bye in the ACC tournament, though, and the Seminoles’ depth could give them a major advantage in the postseason.

If Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes can knock down some perimeter shots in crunch time, head coach Leonard Hamilton’s team could cut down the nets this week.

—Ben Leonard

4. LOUISVILLE The Cardinals had another impressive campaign in the 2016-17 season despite losing their top three scorers from last year’s squad. Sophomore Donovan Mitchell was able to fill the void by becoming the team’s leading scorer and a defensive menace in the backcourt. His partner in crime, junior Quentin Snider, has also become one of the better twoway guards in the country. Combined with a physical frontcourt that can wear teams down at both ends, Louisville appears to have the ingredients for another deep postseason run.

The Cardinals were tested early and often in nonconference play, blowing a huge lead against Baylor in the Bahamas before picking up quality wins against Purdue and Kentucky. Despite starting league play 0-2 with losses against Virginia and Notre Dame, Louisville won seven of its next eight—including a win against Duke—to right the ship.

Although they were swept by the Cavaliers, the Cardinals went unbeaten

against everyone else at home to finish tied for second in the ACC, ultimately slipping to the No. 4 spot by way of a three-team tiebreaker.

After having to sit out the postseason in 2016, expect Louisville to be hungry to make its mark this week in New York. And if role players like swingman Deng Adel and big men Anas Mahmoud and Mangok Mathiang can provide some scoring for head coach Rick Pitino’s club, don’t be surprised if the Cardinals end up playing Saturday night in the title game.

—Michael Model

6. VIRGINIA Virginia started the conference season with a statement win on the road at Louisville and jumped out to a 7-2 record by the end of January.

February, however, was not kind to the Cavaliers. After first drubbing Virginia Tech, Virginia went on to lose five of its next six games, including four in a row. Since that four-game skid, the Cavaliers have ended the regular season on a high note by picking up three straight wins, including a home victory against then-No. 4 North Carolina.

As has been typical since head coach Tony Bennett took over the program eight years ago, Virginia’s success in 2016-17 has been the result of its pesky pack-line defense. The Cavaliers feature the top scoring defense in the country, surrendering just 55.3 points per game, eight points better than Miami—their next closest ACC competitor.

Offensively, Virginia relies on a balanced attack, with just one player

averaging double figures. Although London Perrantes is the lone senior on the team, redshirt junior Devon Hall and junior Marial Shayok provide additional experience for a welldisciplined unit. Inserting rookie sharpshooters Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome into the starting lineup paid dividends for the Cavaliers late in the season, and Virginia will look to make a run in New York to improve its NCAA tournament seeding prospects.

—Riley Pfaff

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 7

Walking Distance from East Campus!

We offer men’s and women’s haircuts and a full range of color.

We excel in color correction and highlights.

Ouidad Haircuts and Conditioning Treatments will have you falling in love with your natural curls!

Go Out Blow Out Special!

Free brow wax with any blow out.

Cuts u Balayage u Blowout Bar Eyelash Extensions u Waxing u Brazilian Blowouts

905 W. Main St., Suite 20-H • Durham (919) 416-6128

704 Ninth St., Durham • 919.416.9705 • wavelengthsalon.biz

Take your degree to another degree.

I&E Certificate

The I&E Certificate is open to undergraduate students in ANY major. Yes, ANY major!

The certificate is not only for engineering and science majors — we have students enrolled in the certificate who are majoring in French Studies, Evolutionary Anthropology, Music, Philosophy, Public Policy, Political Science, English and Economics to name just a few.

What about you? The next application deadline is April 5.

VISIT ENTREPRENEURSHIP.DUKE.EDU AND TAKE A MAJOR STEP FORWARD

www.dukechronicle.com

8 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

@@

@

@

In the top 101 things to do before you graduate:

In the top 101 things to do before you graduate: Thank you for voting us your #1 favorite place to eat on campus!

101 things to do before you graduate: In “Dip the top 101cheese thingsinto to do before you graduate: a grilled “Have Baked Oatmeal “Dip a grilled cheese into some tomato soup”

“Have Baked Oatmeal for breakfast”

@

things do before youto graduate: n01the topto101 things do before you graduate:

ed cheese into ato soup”

“Have Baked Oatmeal for breakfast”

some tomato soup”

voting us your“Dip#1 favorite a grilled cheese into place to eat on “Havecampus!

Baked Oatmeal

illed cheese intosome tomato soup” mato soup”

for breakfast”

for breakfast” “Have Baked Oatmeal for breakfast”

Thank Thank you you forforvoting us #1 your #1place favorite place to eat on campus! voting us your favorite to eat on campus!

Bring in this ad for a free tea or coffee with a meal. One to a customer.

Thankoryou for voting Visit us at www.corecater.com on Facebook or atus the café! We are available for all of your catering needs!

voting us your #1 favorite to eat campus! yourplace #1 favorite placeon to eat on campus!

s ad for a free tea or coffee with a meal. One to a customer. thiscafé! ad for a free or coffee to a customer. com or on FacebookBring or atinthe We are tea available forwith all aofmeal. yourOne catering needs!

Bring in this ad for a free tea or coffee with a meal. One to a customer.

Visit us at www.corecater.com or on Facebook or at the café! We are available for all of your catering needs!

Visit us at www.corecater.com, on Facebook or at the available all or of your catering needs!

Bring incafé! thisWe adarefor a freefor tea coffee with a meal. One to a customer.

us at www.corecater.com or on Facebook or at the café! We are available for all of your catering needs! his ad for a free tea or coffee with a meal. One to a customer. r.com or on Facebook or at the café! We are available for all of your catering needs!

The Chronicle

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 9

FIERY FRESHMEN

Jackson and Tatum inject excitement Sameer Pandhare The Chronicle In a season that has been filled with frustration at times, two of Duke’s most crowd-pleasing moments have been provided by a pair of youngsters.

Before the regular season even began, freshman Frank Carolyn Chang | The Chronicle Jackson ignited the Cameron Crazies, making the court his personal dance floor and stealing the spotlight with a Frank Jackson and Jayson Tatum will need to play beyond their years in the postseason for Duke to make a run. series of electric moves.

“The last song, it was great. That’s a great visual,” Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said following Countdown to Craziness Oct. 22. “I’m probably going to laugh at that for a long time.”

But fellow rookie Jayson Tatum may have topped his classmate’s performance with a game-changing dunk over North Carolina’s Kennedy Meeks Feb. 9 that cemented itself as a future clip in the Blue Devils’ pregame highlight reel.

“He’s a ‘SportsCenter’ boy tonight. He’s going to learn and continue to get better,” sophomore Luke Kennard said following Duke’s victory. “That’s what he wants to do, that’s why he came here.”

With the ups and downs of the regular season behind them, the two freshmen with a flair for the dramatic could make or break the Blue Devils’ ability to keep dancing late into March.

Despite getting out of the gates slowly in conference play with just a 3-4 record, Duke engineered a turnaround by getting key—but vastly different—contributions from both Tatum and Jackson.

After coming to Durham with an NBA-ready body and versatility uncommon in the college ranks, Tatum seemed like a sure bet to put up big numbers from the get-go. But the 6-foot-8 swingman sprained his left foot during a pro day Oct. 25 and his return to the court was not nearly as smooth as Blue Devil fans hoped.

Although the freshman’s stats did not suffer much, the St. Louis native provided only tantalizing flashes of the talent he brought to the table. Mixed in with a standout performance against Florida that left even former Duke star Kyrie Irving shaking his head were a pair of tough afternoons against Louisville and Wake Forest on the road as well as a crushing loss to N.C. State.

Against the Wolfpack, Tatum missed multiple layups late in the game and lost control of the ball on the team’s final possession with the Blue Devils down by two.

“I didn’t know how physical it was, especially going into conference play,” Tatum said before Duke’s regularseason finale against North Carolina. “Conference play is a lot different than those few games I played

APARTMENT FEATURES • Smart Home Technology Packages

• Attached Garages • Fenced in yards "select homes" • Private Patios & Balconies • Granite counter tops "select homes" • Stainless Appliances "select homes" • Oversized Walk-In Closets • Community Outdoor Grilling Patio • Sparkling Resort-Style Pool w/Wifi • Fully Equipped Fitness Center w/Wifi • Study Lounge w/Wifi • Lighted Tennis Court • Car Care Center • Dog Park Jeremy Chen | Chronicle File Photo Freshman Harry Giles has not been able to consistently crack the rotation, but two of his classmates are playing big minutes.

240 Ivy Meadow Lane • Durham, NC 27707 • centurytrinityestates@firstcommunities.com

See FRESHMEN on Page 18

919.401.4660 • CENTURY-APARTMENTS.COM/CENTURY-TRINITY-

SUPERIOR APARTMENTS, TOWN HOMES, AND COTTAGE HOMES

10 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

1. NORTH CAROLINA 8. SYRACUSE 9. MIAMI 9. MIAMI 12. CLEMSON

4. LOUISVILLE 12. CLEMSON 5. DUKE

13. N.C. STATE 5. DUKE

2. FLORIDA STATE 10. WAKE FOREST

7. VIRGINIA TECH 7. VIRGINIA TECH 10. WAKE FOREST

15. BOSTON COLLEGE

3. NOTRE DAME

11. GEORGIA TECH 14. PITTSBURGH 14. PITTSBURGH

6. VIRGINIA

6. VIRGINIA

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 11

THE ACC TOURNAMENT

ACC CHAMPION

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

12 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

A SEASON OF COPING

Blue Devils hope adversity bonds rather than cripples Amrith Ramkumar The Chronicle With the Blue Devils dropping seven ACC games for a second straight season and failing to lock up a double bye in the conference tournament, many would immediately jump to the conclusion that the preseason No. 1 team in the nation never lived up to the hype.

Certainly, Duke rarely displayed the night-to-night consistency required to enter the postseason in the discussion as a clear title contender.

But there were a few times in the regular season when the Blue Devils did actually resemble the unit many envisioned coming into the season. Almost all of those games had one thing in common—a healthy Grayson Allen playing with the contagious energy and aggression that still make him one of the most dangerous competitors in the nation.

There was a 94-45 demolition of a listless UNLV team Dec. 10 in which Allen dropped 34 points in 29 minutes on 12-of16 shooting—including six 3-pointers—and threw down a one-handed dunk that had many thinking he had put his turf-toe woes behind him.

After the trip heard around the world against Elon, the Jacksonville, Fla., native looked determined to show he could be Duke’s primary ball handler, fueling the team’s 53-point rout of Georgia Tech Jan. 4 and a 27-5 first-half run against Boston College three days later with by far the best assist numbers of his career.

Finally, in the Blue Devils’ first game against North Carolina Feb. 9, Allen

Sanjeev Dasgupta | Chronicle File Photo No Blue Devil has had more hardships to deal with this season than Grayson Allen, who has suffered three injuries and created a firestorm with the third controversial trip of his career.

looked like the player who had UNLV running for cover, torching the Tar Heels to the tune of 25 points, seven 3-pointers and helping the team earn a marquee win it desperately needed.

Yet for every moment the junior has looked like himself again this year, the overwhelming majority of Allen’s headlines this season have been negative. From inefficient early-season shooting as he struggled with turf toe to heavy ridicule in every ACC road game Allen played in as Duke stumbled to a 3-6 mark away from home, frustrating probably does not even begin to describe the former first-team AllACC guard’s campaign.

Allen turned down the NBA Draft only to return and watch injuries decimate his third regular season, his role on the team seemingly change every few weeks and a firestorm erupt following his third trip in two years as he lost his co-captaincy.

“It’s been a year, for him, a season of coping with different injuries—hamstring, toe and ankle,” Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said Friday before the team’s regular-season finale. “Then he had the incident at Elon, which is nothing to do with injury, but it’s been a crazy year for him.”

Perhaps what has made Allen’s year most difficult is that each time he looked

ready to right the ship and provide some consistency, one setback or another prevented him from playing a bigger part in the Blue Devils’ success.

Even when Allen put together his best four-game stretch of the year in late January and early February—Duke’s first four victories in a seven-game winning streak that turned its season around—the junior was clearly playing a completely different brand of basketball just a few weeks after being the primary facilitator.

In season-saving wins at Wake Forest and Notre Dame and home victories against Pittsburgh and the Tar Heels, Allen was almost exclusively a jump shooter. Forty-one of his 54 field goal attempts during that stretch were 3-pointers, and his ability to knock down 20 of those helped the Blue Devils find some semblance of an identity.

Allen and Kennard coming off screens ready to fire from the perimeter or facilitate after drawing attention had Duke looking like a unit that was starting to enjoy playing together.

“I’ve definitely felt good lately and I am having a lot of fun now,” Allen said after the first North Carolina game. “It’s never been about the shots falling. I’m just playing for this team and nothing else. It’s really as simple as that.”

Yet immediately following that contest, the 2015 national championship game hero’s shots stopped falling, and his inability to generate points attacking the rim because of his health became a paramount concern.

Allen kept launching from deep at a rapid rate, with 27 of his next 39 shots in the next four contests coming from beyond the arc. But only See COPING on Page 16

Where 9th Street Lives 866-855-4407

stationnine.com

Ninth Street - Durham Ninth and Main Near Harris Teeter, beside Subway 919 864 8010 SportClips.com/NC522 Monday-Friday: 10AM to 8PM Saturday: 9AM to 6PM • Sunday: 12AM to 5PM Loft/Flat Amenities:

Community Amenities:

• Unique urban-living and loft* floor plans • Modern open spaces with 9’ & 10’ ceilings • Views of pool courtyard & meditation gardens* • Modern lighting and ceiling fans • Polished concrete flooring* • Washers and Dryers • Generous Storage Space & Walk-in Closets* • Private Balconies/Patio’s* • Upgraded apartments available w/ SS Appliances, tile backsplash & upgraded lighting & plumbing fixtures throughout*

• Resort-Style Saltwater Swimming Pool & Expansive Sundeck • Outdoor Living Areas with Social Grilling Stations, Fire-Pit, Meditation Gardens & Billiards Table • Half-Court Indoor Basketball/Sports Court • 24 Hour Fully Equipped Fitness Center Featuring Life Fitness Equipment • Resident Lounge with Gourmet Coffee Bar • Limited Perimeter Access with Covered Parking & Elevators • Footsteps away from Ninth Street’s restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment, shopping and Harris Teeter Grocery Store • Minutes from Duke University & Medical Center, Downtown Durham, RDU Airport, RTP & UNC

*Available in select lofts/flats. Lease holders minimum 22 years of age.

FREE HAIRCUT

FREE MVP UPGRADE

for new clients for returning for New Clients • Valid ID Required

clients

for Returning Clients • Valid ID Required Not valid with any other offer. Void if bartered, copied, traded or sold. Valid only at Durham/Duke Street.

EXPIRES 12/31/17 • 0

Not valid with any other offer. Void if bartered, copied, traded or sold. Valid only at Durham/Duke Street.

EXPIRES 12/31/17 • 0

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 13

Live Sitar & Grand Buffet

Now Serving as Tandoor in West Union ab dc 3630 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

(919) 490-1326

StudentS, $0 Rent Move You In! APPLY noW!

Find your 1, 2 or 3 Bedroom Apartment near Duke

5 locations to choose from!

All utilities included: High-speed internet Electricity ($100 maximum per mo.)

Cable Water, Sewer, Trash Free wi-fi at the pools Washer/dryer

Amenities include:

0 Administrative

$

fees

FREE Apartment Information Service

1-888-GSC-APTS

Fitness centers Swimming Pools Tennis courts Online rent pay option Bike, walk or ride to Duke On bus line

Email: AptInfoNC@GSCapts.com

www.GSCapts.com

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

14 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

LOCATED 2 MINUTES FROM DUKE MEDICAL CENTER & 10 MINUTES FROM BREEDEN HALL STUDIO, ONE, & TWO BEDROOMS AVAILABLE NOW! CALL NOW FOR PRICING & SPECIALS

are looking for AT trendy, styles as well as those every day NOWWeOPEN NORTHGATE MALL Basics youlooking can't live all upas to well 70% as offthose mall retail We are forwithout trendy,-styles every prices! day NOW OPEN AT NORTHGATE MALL Get cash for cleaning out your closet!

Girls sizes Basics 0/1 to you 15/16 andlive Guys size 28- all to up 40 waist and accessories! can't without to 70%including off mall shoes retail prices!

We paycash cash on the spotcleaning for all seasons of your trendy style clothing Get for out your closand et!

WILL BEGIN BUYING FRIDAY DECEMBER 5 accessories. WE Find name brand must-have pieces including shoes and th

Girls sizes 0/1 to 15/16 and Guys size 28 to 40 waist including shoes and accessories!

We pay cash accessories on the spot for of mall yourretail trendy style clothing and for all upseasons to 70% off prices!

Northgate MallDECEMBER WILL BEGIN BUYING FRIDAY 5th accessories. WE Find name brand must-have pieces including shoes and Northgate Mall 10581058 Wfor Club Blvd, Durham NC • 919-286-2696 accessories up to 70% off mall W Club Blvd, Durham NC retail prices!

Northgate Mall

platosclosetnorthgate.com/how-it-works Northgate Mall 10581058 WW Club Blvd, Durham NC • 919-286-2696 Club Blvd, Durham NC

PRICES START AT:

1,106

$

INCLUDING CABLE/INTERNET, VALET TRASH PICK-UP & PEST CONTROL

WELL B E YO N D ordinary.

When you get through this intensive, year-long program, you won’t be a student with a business education, you’ll be an entrepreneur with a business. Learn from a dedicated team of mentors, attend exclusive workshops and presentations, visit area start-ups, and get direct access to Melissa and Doug Bernstein.

You could be the next success story. Apply today.

MelissaAndDougEntrepreneurs.com

entrepreneurship.duke.edu

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 15

PREVIEWING THE REMAINING SEEDS 7. VIRGINIA TECH

After shocking the ACC by winning their last five games in 2015-16 to finish 10-8 in league play, the Hokies were determined to show that success was not a fluke with all of their key contributors back. Virginia Tech did just that, running through nonconference play with just one loss and picking up a quality win at Michigan before battling again in the brutal ACC. The Hokies opened league play by routing Duke with a balanced attack and a barrage of 3-pointers, but, like most conference teams, struggled mightily away from home.

After Virginia Tech fell to 5-6 in conference play following four lopsided road losses, it seemed to right the ship with an 80-78 double-overtime win against Virginia. However, the team lost forward Chris Clarke—who averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game—for the season to a torn ACL in that contest, making many wonder whether the Hokies could seal

an NCAA tournament bid.

Luckily for Virginia Tech fans, its offensive balance and depth paid off late in the year, as the team went 4-2 without Clarke to finish with fewer than 10 losses in a regular season for the first time since 2009-10.

Zach LeDay and Seth Allen headline the Hokie offense, and if the two steady veterans can put up some big offensive numbers this week, Virginia Tech could be playing Saturday night.

—Liz Finny

9. MIAMI After losing three starters that had the Hurricanes among the ACC’s elite for a few years, many wondered how head coach Jim Larrañaga’s club would fare in a loaded ACC. But Larrañaga has proven his mettle as one of the most underrated coaches in the country yet again, molding a defensive-minded unit that allows just 63.4 points per game. With veterans Ja’Quan Newton and Davon Reed making enough plays to keep Miami in contests and freshman Bruce Brown coming on late in the year, Miami only lost to Iowa State and Florida—two top-25 teams that look dangerous heading into March—in nonconference play.

The Hurricanes then overcame a 2-4 start in ACC play by winning eight of their next 10 games, including wins against North Carolina, Virginia and Duke, marked by Miami’s stifling defense. Although the Hurricanes dropped close road games against

Virginia Tech and Florida State to fall into the No. 9 seed, they have shown they have the toughness to hang with just about anyone in the country if they can get a few shots to fall.

Brown will be a player to keep an eye on this week in New York—the freshman torched the Blue Devils for 25 points Feb. 25 and has improved steadily as the year has gone on. As the player who will likely command Miami’s offense for years to come, he will look to impress in a quality matchup against Syracuse’s stacked backcourt Wednesday afternoon.

—Cole Winton

12. CLEMSON After going 10-2 in nonconference play, Clemson experienced its worst ACC finish in head coach Brad Brownell’s tenure, placing 12th in the conference. The Tigers’ Achilles’ heel proved to be late-game situations, as 11 of Clemson’s losses came by six points or fewer. But without a true marquee win on their resume, the Tigers find themselves on the outside of the NCAA tournament picture as they head to Brooklyn.

As was the case a year ago, Clemson is led by forward Jaron Blossomgame, who averages 17.3 points per contest.

The Tigers have seven players averaging at least 7.5 points per game, but finding consistent production outside of Blossomgame has been a challenge all season. Clemson’s inability to move the ball on offense has made things even more difficult, and the Tigers have the second lowest assists per game average in the conference.

On the other end of the floor, Clemson’s intensity has been inconsistent, as the Tigers give up more than 70 points per game. But even with its struggles on both ends of the court, Clemson still ran past N.C. State Wednesday afternoon led by guard Shelton Mitchell’s 22 points and six assists and another strong effort

by Blossomgame to set up a rematch with Duke.

—Dilan Trivedi

8. SYRACUSE

Syracuse could not have had a rougher start to the season—after losing to South Carolina in late November, head coach Jim Boeheim’s team dropped five of its next nine games, including a pair of blowout defeats at the hands of St. John’s and Boston College. Yet the Orange reemerged in ACC play, ripping off five consecutive victories between Jan. 24 and Feb. 7, and they later punctuated their season with John Gillon’s buzzer-beating triple to upset Duke last month.

Moving Gillon to the point guard slot has given Syracuse’s offense much better spacing, as the Colorado State transfer averages 5.5 assists per game and also shoots 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. With fellow transfer Andrew White III also capable of catching fire from the perimeter— he dropped 40 in the team’s regularseason finale—and freshman Tyus Battle coming into his own, Boeheim’s squad once again looks like a team to

be reckoned with in March.

The key for Syracuse this week will be whether big men Tyler Lydon and Taurean Thompson can stay engaged. If the Orange get past Miami Wednesday, they will need all hands on deck to slow down North Carolina’s four-headed monster inside.

Syracuse is hoping to solidify its NCAA tournament spot—currently, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi has the Orange as a No. 11 seed.

—Mitchell Gladstone

10. WAKE FOREST Wake Forest was one of the most improved teams in the ACC this season, going .500 in conference play a year after finishing 2-16.

The Demon Deacons won three ACC road games after not winning any the two previous years and finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, including a marquee win against then-No. 8 Louisville last Wednesday that helped solidify their NCAA tournament resume.

The primary reason for Wake Forest’s success has been the emergence of John Collins, a 6-foot-10 sophomore who shot an ACC-best 61.9 percent from the field and nearly averaged a double-double. The Demon Deacons spread the floor and surround Collins with an army of 3-point shooters, including Keyshawn Woods, who shot 47.0 percent from long range this season.

Sophomore Bryant Crawford also facilitates the team’s offense and the guard’s ability to attack the hoop has helped forwards Konstantinos Mitoglou and Austin Arians get good looks on the perimeter. That core has helped Wake Forest to the third-

highest scoring offense in the ACC, though the Demon Deacons also own the third-worst scoring defense in the conference.

At least one team has reached 80 points in 12 of Wake Forest’s last 13 games, with the team playing a lot of entertaining, fastpaced shootouts. The Demon Deacons’ strong finish and nonconference strength of schedule should help its case to make the NCAA tournament, but a win or two in New York would likely lock up its first berth since 2010.

—Hank Tucker

14. PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh had a tumultuous offseason that saw head coach Jamie Dixon leave to become the head coach at Texas Christian and former Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings come in to replace him and install an up-tempo offense. The Panther offense has been exceptional at times this season, with Michael Young and Jamel Artis combining to form one of the nation’s best scoring tandems.

But Pittsburgh’s supporting cast has been extremely inconsistent, and the Panthers are among the conference’s worst defensive teams, allowing 75.2 points per contest.

Although Pittsburgh won eight of its first nine games, including a road win against Maryland, a home loss to Duquesne in December foreshadowed what was coming in ACC play. Despite an upset against Virginia early in league play, the Panthers dropped eight straight games—including a 55-point home loss to Louisville. An upset against Florida State was not enough to turn things

around for Pittsburgh, as the team lost its last four contests.

The Panthers played one of their best defensive games of the season in their ACC tournament opener Tuesday evening, though. Pittsburgh shut down Georgia Tech, limiting the Yellow Jackets to 59 points and executing well late in a one-possession game to upset the No. 11 seed. The 14th-seeded Panthers will take on Virginia Wednesday evening hoping to prevail in what should be another defensive battle.

—Andrew Donohue

16 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

KENNARD from page 3 In a season marred by injuries to most key players and Allen’s one-game suspension, Kennard has been a constant.

He is one of just two Blue Devils that played in every regular-season game, along with senior co-captain Matt Jones and started all but one.

Kennard heads into the postseason having scored in double figures in 15 straight games and has scored at least nine points in every contest this year after he was held scoreless three times last season. He singlehandedly willed the Blue Devils to wins at Wake Forest and against Clemson, scoring 15 straight Duke points in the second half of a 64-62 win against the Tigers.

The All-American candidate is the only Power-5 conference player averaging 20 points per game and shooting better than 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc.

“You guys see him doing that stuff last year, it just wasn’t as consistent I guess.

That’s the biggest thing. He’s consistent.

He’s worked on his body and he’s worked on his game,” graduate student Amile Jefferson said after the game against the Tigers. “He’s confident in his shot, he’s confident in his playmaking ability, and when guys were down, he stepped up.”

Kennard’s impact on the team has grown even more obvious in the last two weeks, when Duke has not been able to withstand a few cold nights from its leading scorer. He shot 40.7 percent from the field as the Blue Devils dropped three of their last four games, though he did find his stroke again with 28 points in a loss in the regular-season finale at North Carolina.

The only unanimous first-team AllACC selection, Kennard’s regular

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

season rivaled one of the best by an underclassman in program history. His 1,048 points are just 36 behind all-time leading scorer J.J. Redick’s total by the end of his sophomore year, but Kennard may not give himself the chance to make a run at the record.

NBA teams will certainly come calling whenever Duke’s season ends, and the chance to jump to the next level will be tempting if Kennard is guaranteed to go in the first round.

“He has not just been steady, he’s been terrific,” Krzyzewski said Friday. “The best players in the country are consistently excellent, and that’s why there aren’t that many. There are some that are good, then excellent, but he’s been right there.”

Austin Peer | The Chronicle

Brian Pollack and Sameer Pandhare contributed Duke has had rotation players miss 43 games reporting. this season and has used 10 different starting lineups as a result.

COPING from page 12

probably could have stayed in contention for the ACC regular-season title and avoided two stretches in which they lost three of four games.

But of course, Duke has had to also deal with its talented freshman trio sitting out with injuries to start the year and missing valuable repetitions on the defensive end, Krzyzewski’s lower-back surgery that took him away for seven games and yet another foot injury to the team’s anchor inside in Amile Jefferson.

Considering the team had rotation players miss 43 games and 10 different starting lineups, its 10 RPI top-50 wins still stand as quite an impressive feat. From that standpoint, the Blue Devils coped with a brutal ACC schedule that featured road games against the other nine teams projected to represent the league in the NCAA tournament remarkably well.

However, most people have not stopped comparing Duke to the preseason hype machine we all expected or the unit that flashed its brilliance a few times when Allen felt right and got his shots to fall.

So now, the Blue Devils trek into the postseason as one of the most battle-tested and banged up teams in the nation. The nonstop drama is unlikely to end until Duke has taken its last breath in March—and as last year’s incident with Krzyzewski and Oregon’s Dillon Brooks showed, maybe not even then—meaning Allen and the Blue Devils will now have the chance to turn a season of hardships into a story of redemption.

“We’ve battled so much adversity.... It can be difficult to adjust, but I think we’ve done a really good job with that,” sophomore Luke Kennard said Friday. “It’s made us tougher, it’s made us more together, it’s made us a better team overall and that’s what we want to do. We want to become a great team. I don’t think we’re at the top of where we can be, but we’re working towards it.”

seven went down, making Allen a footnote in stressful wins against Clemson and Wake Forest and a non-factor in a key win at Virginia.

After the loss to Syracuse, Allen sat out against Miami and combined for just 39 minutes and seven shot attempts against Florida State and North Carolina to finish off a tumultuous regular season. Although he finished with 14 points against the Tar Heels and two key 3-pointers, Allen still did not look like himself attacking off the bounce.

“You don’t have the push for a strong drive, but you can shoot. So he’s been more selective,” Krzyzewski said. “I think if you take a look at it transition-wise, he’s made a lot of mistakes in transition trying to complete Carolyn Chang | The Chronicle [plays].... As he gets to that point where he Kennard’s combination of touch in the paint would be explosive, it’s not the same.”

If Allen’s drama-filled regular season had Brian Pollack and Sameer Pandhare contributed and precise footwork makes him difficult to stop in one-on-one situations. been Duke’s only major obstacle, the Blue Devils reporting.

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T D A I LY AT D U K E U N I V E R S I T Y

The Chronicle App WWW.DUKECHRONICLE.COM

Anywhere.

Anytime.

Duke’s latest news, sports and opinions.

Available in the iTunes store (search Duke Chronicle).

The Chronicle

SENIORS from page 5 record is is pretty good. They didn’t slump very much during their career. They won a national championship.”

Jones and Jefferson were undoubtedly critical pieces on the 2015 national championship team, even as the freshman trio of Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow grabbed the headlines. Ultimately, the swap of Jones for Jefferson in the starting lineup—which allowed Winslow to slide to the four—was what allowed that Blue Devil team to reach its full potential, a switch made possible only by the ego-free and team-first attitudes that Jones and Jefferson embody.

The heart and soul of that team, of course, was its lone senior, Quinn Cook.

Cook’s growth throughout his four years from a volatile freshman to a calm captain was tremendous, and the image of him and Krzyzewski tearfully embracing after claiming the national title is the lasting image of that iconic run.

And although this year’s team has a long way to go to cut down the nets in Phoenix, Jones got to have his own moment with Krzyzewski as he and Jefferson headed to the bench for one final time in front of the Cameron Crazies.

“Four years here ain’t for the fainthearted,” Jones said after the game. “To have that moment with Coach K—honestly, I’ve had a couple moments like that over my four years, but to be an old man basically to these kids and to have that moment with Coach, it was one that I’ll cherish and remember.”

If four years at Duke is not for the faint of heart, then the five seasons Jefferson has suited up for should serve as proof of his fortitude. As the only three-time captain in program history, the Philadelphia native has emerged as a natural leader with his forceful voice on the court and an

www.dukechronicle.com

enthusiasm for defense.

Jefferson was poised to lead the Blue Devils last season, averaging a double-double in nine games before a fractured foot in midDecember sidelined him for the rest of the year. He was not officially ruled out for the year until the regular-season finale against North Carolina, though, as the 6-foot-9 forward tried to will and work his body back to game shape.

The lanky forward was granted a fifth-year medical redshirt, ensuring that he would have one more go-round to make his mark as a Blue Devil.

“It’s unbelievable for me to be back here. My freshman year I could have wrote down where I thought I would be today, and I wouldn’t be at Duke,” Jefferson said after the Florida State game. “It’s been an amazing journey, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Even in their swan songs, the going has been tough for Jones and Jefferson as they try to lead a team facing lofty preseason expectations. With Jefferson hampered by another foot injury and Jones struggling mightily with his outside shot, the duo has found it difficult to lead by example and carry the team on the court at times.

Instead, Jefferson and Jones have tried to do what they do best—mentor the younger players, showing them what it takes to compete at a championship level. If Allen leaves for the NBA, next year’s team will almost certainly have no seniors in the rotation—but the junior knows how much he owes his success to the seniors Duke has now.

“The three years that I’ve been here, they’ve been incredible. Amile has been a leader since the time I stepped on campus, and Matt has just been huge with his dedication,” Allen said after the Senior Night win. “Both of them are just the ultimate team guys—they buy in completely to what Coach is saying, to what we’re doing and what’s best for the team.”

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 17

BASKETBALL We just won 1st Place in the national 2017 Pizza Pizzazz competition.

Call today to order one of our awardwinning pizzas for your party!

WINGS / CHEESY BREADSTICKS / SUBS / CINNABRENZ ORDER ONLINE: ENZOSPIZZACO.COM or 919.309.3696

In Chapel Hill, visit:

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

18 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

Jeremy Chen | Chronicle File Photo After being expected to start entering the season, freshman Marques Bolden has not been able to get comfortable on the offensive end.

FRESHMEN from page 9 before conference. It’s so much more intense. The game is so much faster than I anticipated.”

But the Blue Devils got a more assertive and aggressive Tatum for the latter half of ACC play, starting with the freshman’s first double-double in a win at Notre Dame Jan. 30. After shooting just 26.7 percent from beyond the arc in nonconference play, Tatum started to find his rhythm on his jump shot and gave Duke another weapon capable of doing damage on the perimeter.

The main factor in the freshman’s progression may have just been time, as the team slowly figured out how to

integrate his one-on-one talents in an offense predicated on ball movement.

“Having to guard the other team’s four, it’s not always easy, but it’s a team game and we’re all out there together helping each other,” Tatum said. “On the offensive end, the mismatch is hopefully there for me to create and not just score.”

If Tatum has been the creator for the Blue Devils, Jackson has been the sparkplug for a Duke team that has played to the level of its competition all season. With an explosive first step and an improving perimeter shot, Jackson has allowed the Blue Devils to space the floor and looked more comfortable, all while sporting the same laser-focused look of intensity all season.

The freshman had no hesitation hoisting up a key game-tying 3-pointer in Duke’s loss to Kansas Nov. 15 and showcased his ability to

THE BEST VIEW IN DURHAM

light up the scoreboard early in the season.

But Jackson struggled to play with the same attacking mentality early in conference play, before coming on late and averaging 17.7 points per contest in the final three games of the regular season with junior Grayson Allen limited by an ankle injury.

“Frank gives us a type of energy that nobody can really give us on the team,” Kennard said before the regular-season finale. “It’s something different. When he’s playing well, we’re an even better team, and that’s what we need from him.

He just plays so hard, and it’s fun to be on a team with a guy like that.”

For two players that could not look more different on the court, the important common thread between the freshman duo going forward is its ability to contribute on both sides of the floor.

In Tatum’s case, playing at the four forced him to compete with physical ACC bigs in the post for rebounds, and the freshman responded with solid efforts on the boards in wins against bigger teams such as the Tar Heels and Florida State.

Duke’s limited presence down low has been a question mark all season, but if Tatum can continue to clean the glass, the Blue Devils’ undersized lineup could become a tough matchup for tournament teams with two traditional big men.

Along with bringing life to the floor, Jackson has honored his preseason commitment to improve as a defender.

Although co-captains Matt Jones and Amile Jefferson have cemented themselves as the leaders of the Duke defense, Jackson could find himself matching up against some of the best guards in the nation as long as Allen’s health remains in question.

With Duke lacking an imposing shot blocker down low, preventing dribble penetration against speedy ball handlers is imperative if the Blue Devils hope to make a deep run.

“It’s funny because a year or two ago, I wasn’t known to play defense,” Jackson said during Duke’s preseason media day. “Some coaches would get at me for being lazy, and when I came here, I made it a goal to lock in and be the best that I can be as an on-ball defender and off-ball defender.”

Although Kennard has been the steady driving force for the Blue Devils all season, there is no doubt that Duke will need one of its other talented perimeter options to step up.

In just a few days, the Blue Devils will enter the Big Dance no longer favored to come away with a sixth national title, which seemed well within reach before the season began.

But with Jackson and Tatum’s best moves on both ends of the court, Duke could emerge as the eye-popping act many expected to see.

Hank Tucker contributed reporting.

Austin Peer | The Chronicle Head coach Mike Krzyzewski has had to manage injuries and high expectations for his latest stacked recruiting class.

HI S T O RY C O NVE R G E S W I T H A N

IN DURHAM CENTRAL PARK DIY ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

919-282-DPIT

thepit-durham.com

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 | 19

Where Real Duke Fans Shop!

TOP QUALITY MERCHANDISE. EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. Providing you with the largest selection of officially licensed Duke apparel, gifts and souvenirs, we are your headquarters for the largest selection of everything Duke!

Pennants Sweatshirts Ties Replica Jerseys Diploma Frames Golf Balls Watches Infant Clothing Crystal Window Decals

Glassware Sweatpants Belts Outerwear Golf Head Covers Jewelry Ceramic Mugs Basketballs Shorts Bags

T-shirts Caps Golf Shirts School Supplies License Plates Key Rings Youth Clothing Footballs Stuffed Animals Personalized Gifts

Upper Level, Bryan Center, West Campus Phone: 919.684.2344 Academic Year Store Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 8:30am - 7pm Thursday & Friday: 8:30am - 8pm | Saturday: 9am - 6pm Sunday: 11am - 4pm

www.shopdukestores.duke.edu Department of Duke University Stores®

The Chronicle

www.dukechronicle.com

20 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

AT YOUR NEXT MEETING,

make sure the devil’s in the details.

An impressive new player has checked into Duke University’s West Campus and is now open for business. A top-tier contemporary hotel, The JB Duke Hotel arrives paired with the brand new, state-of-the-art Thomas Executive Conference Center. A dedicated staff will help plan your meeting, corporate retreat or team-building experience down to the tiniest detail in a seamless blend of attentive service and Southern hospitality. The JB Duke is just a short walk from Duke’s storied athletic and educational venues and mere minutes from vibrant downtown Durham.

Call to book your event today or visit J BDUKEHOTE L.COM.

The JB Duke Hotel. Where every meeting takes on a unique character.

198 GUEST ROOMS and SUITES THOMAS EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE CENTER

J BDU K E H OT E L .CO M

INNOVATIVE CONFERENCE DINING

919-660-6400

STEPS AWAY from WASHINGTON DUKE INN & GOLF CLUB

NOW OPEN

FITNESS CENTER