Courtesy: Associated Press
Release: 03/16/2019
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Zion Williamson proved he’s back and healthy with a dominating three-game show at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. And that has fifth-ranked Duke celebrating yet another championship in its already-record haul.
Williamson had 21 points to help the Blue Devils beat No. 12 Florida State 73-63 on Saturday night in the championship game, giving Duke its 21st tournament title and sending the Blue Devils charging into the NCAA tournament.
Williamson was named the tournament’s most valuable player, becoming only the sixth freshman to win the award and the first in a dozen years.
He averaged 27 points and 10 rebounds while making 33 of 43 shots in the three games — his first since suffering a knee sprain that had sidelined him for nearly six full games.
“For people who said I shouldn’t return,” Williamson said during the trophy presentation, “I couldn’t abandon my brothers and coaches like that.”
Williamson had broken into a wide grin with about 20 seconds left and Duke merely waiting on the horn to celebrate, then jumped into the air with teammates at the bench. That big smile flashed again as he cut down a strand of the net and turned back toward his teammates from the ladder above.
These moments — not the high-flying dunks or the jaw-dropping baseball-style bounce pass he threw ahead on the break for a second-half score — were the reason he came back.
RJ Barrett added 17 points and nine rebounds and the Blue Devils (29-5) took control after halftime, while point guard Tre Jones had his own strong outing with 18 points and six assists — all part of Duke’s closing act that showed the Blue Devils are ready for what’s ahead.
Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski won his record 15th ACC tournament championship with a team led by potential one-and-done NBA talents.
“I told them last night: ‘We’ve won a lot of championships but I haven’t won one with you,”’ Krzyzewski said during the trophy presentation. “So to be in their moment is the very best thing.”
For Williamson, everything started with a quarterfinal win against Syracuse, with Williamson going for 29 points on 13-for-13 shooting in his first game back. Then came an even bigger performance in the semifinals: 31 points, 11 rebounds and the final-minute tip-in that ultimately helped Duke hold off third-ranked North Carolina in a rivalry classic.
He didn’t need to do as much this time, with Duke putting four players in double figures and shooting 58 percent after the break to a 36-all score into a 14-point lead by midway through the half.
Mfiondu Kabengele scored 14 points for the Seminoles (27-7). They upset No. 2 Virginia in Friday’s semifinals but couldn’t recover after falling behind big, getting no closer than five again.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 9 hours agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One With the Saints Victory Monday – Mon Nov 4th 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson and Panthers All Time Leading Rusher...
-
Podcast
/ 5 days agoBleav in Panthers – The One Where Reality Sets In – Tues Oct 29th 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson, Sports Illustrated Panthers Beat Writer Schuyler...
-
Podcast
/ 5 days agoThe Nest with East Forsyth HC Todd Willert – Season 6 Ep 12 – Tues Oct 29th 2024
Hosted by Rod Funderburk, recorded live from J Peppers every Tuesday in season. East...
-
NFL
/ 6 days agoWinning The Division – Ep 10 – Tues Oct 29th 2024
Co Hosts Ryan Smith and Ben Troupe breakdown week 8 of the NFL season...
ACC Football
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days agoWolfpack Takes Down Stanford 59-28
RALEIGH, NC – The Wolfpack made homecoming one to remember as NC State picked up...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days agoDuke Falls at No. 5 Miami, 53-31
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Duke led No. 5 Miami 28-17 in the third quarter, but...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days agoCarolina Smothers Seminoles, 35-11
Courtesy GoHeels.com by Daniel Forcella TALLAHASSEE, FLA. –Omarion Hampton amassed a career-high 265 all-purpose yards...
-
ACC Football
/ 5 days agoJoel Klatt breaks down ACC teams still alive in College Football Playoff race
Published by On3 Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt recently went conference-by-conference and...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 5 days agoJonathon Brooks injury update: Dave Canales addresses chances of Panthers RB making debut vs. Saints
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers are anxiously awaiting the debut of rookie running...
-
NFL
/ 5 days agoPanthers HC Daves Canales reveals starting QB between Bryce Young, Andy Dalton vs. Saints
Published by On3 Carolina Panthers (1-7) head coach Dave Canales announced Wednesday that Bryce...
-
NFL
/ 6 days agoWinning The Division – Ep 10 – Tues Oct 29th 2024
Co Hosts Ryan Smith and Ben Troupe breakdown week 8 of the NFL season...
-
NFL
/ 7 days agoAdam Schefter names Diontae Johnson, Za’Darius Smith as potential trade deadline targets
Published by On3 Adam Schefter provided some insight into which players could be on...