Freshman win AJ GriffinDuke won the game with a 12-0 run that saw them score 22 points and hit back-to-back three pointers.
The 6-foot-7 former five-star prospect shot all five of his long distance attempts and eight out of 13 field shots. This allowed him to finish the game with a team record of points and four rebounds. Griffin’s career high of 22 points was matched by Griffin’s perfect 5-for-5 performance from the three-point line. He also became the first freshman to shoot 100% from the three-point line on a minimum five attempts.
“He’s just rising star, he isn’t a rising good player. He’s a rising superstar and all our boys realize that. So the attention that Paulo Banchero gets, or Wendell Moore Jr., helps him,” said head coach. Mike Krzyzewski. “He’s never anxious and he loves to play.”
He played. Griffin met with the media to recap the game and discuss the significance of the victory for him and his team.
On hitting consecutive three-pointers during Duke’s 12-0 run in the second half:
“With the sequence right there, it was really not even thinking about it – just letting it fly and having the confidence from my coaches and teammates. Letting it fly and not even thinking about it, just playing basketball.”
On not allowing Louisville take the lead in half two:
“I think when you see the adjustments we have to make, we knew we had to rebound and box out. You just look at what we’ve got to work on and you’ve got to capitalize on it. Mark Williams is a great resource. Paolo Banchero in the paint working, helping us get rebounds, having big blocks at the end – that’s what wins games is defense.”
The environment at KFC Yum! Center:
“I loved it. It’s an away game. We still had the nation’s best fanbase, so they were out there supporting us and encouraging us. I could hear them talking during game and encouraging us. That gives you another confidence boost, knowing you have a fanbase behind you who wants to see you guys win.”
