Banchero, March Madness makes you great. And Duke eliminates Michigan State

The great players do it: the more difficult the situation becomes. That’s what Paolo Banchero did in what is so far the most important match of his college career: he leveled up when Duke needed him most. And it helped her win, overturn Michigan State in the last five minutes and bring the Blue Devils to the Sweet Sixteen with an 85-76 clearer than the difference between the two teams. It is the 1200th victory for coach Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke legend who will retire after 42 years on the bench. Banchero signed it with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and a lot of leadership. That of the greats, in fact.

the game of banchero

–

The blue future gives himself another great match at March Madness. Duke is a collective with 5 starters potentially all from the first call to the NBA Draft, but Banchero is the one who has the personality and talent to take over the games and lead his teammates. In the first half he showed all his offensive versatility, those practically unlimited options that allow him to do everything. In the second he showed how much he knows how to be a leader, how great moments don’t scare him. And he helped his to bounce back when the sensational elimination seemed to materialize. Paolo seems out of rhythm in the first 6 minutes on the pitch, but after coach K gives him the only minute of breath of the first half he enters the field more determined. And he takes over the team with all his talent: triple, unique vision of the game, commitment to defense. The future blue arrives at the interval with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. In the second half, after a great start, he drops like all his teammates. But when Michigan State overtakes to inaugurate the last 5 minutes, it is he who gives the shock, putting the basket that awakens Duke after the Spartans had advanced by 5 and that of the last pass.

the match

–

Nice match, drawn like one in which the two teams play each season. Duke wins it with the talent of his collective, with Mark Williams shining throughout the game alongside Banchero and Jeremy Roach and Wendell Moore leveling up in the finale just in time to close it. Michigan State is a lot of Brown in the first half, then gets points from Wright to annoy the Blue Devils until the end. After the good start of Michigan State, Duke tries to escape when Banchero levels up, but the Spartans well cancel the 31-24 that the future blue puts in from outside with 3’39 “from the rest. The Blue Devils close the first half ahead 39-35 with a dunk at the edge of the siren by the excellent Williams. Banchero shows up in the second half finding the iron despite three opponents trying to stop him and slips through the 44-35 Duke with a 3-point game. Michigan State does not give up, constantly rises in level and overtakes, reaching 70-65 with two free throws from Bingham with 5’10 “from the end. Banchero rises again in level and takes Duke with him: he signs the overtaking at 75-74 with 2’05 ”on the clock and from that point on the Blue Devils never look back.

banchero’s statistics

–

19 points (6/9 of two, 2/5 of three, 1/3 free throws), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block in 38 ‘

arriving

–

Duke and Banchero return to the field on Thursday in San Francisco in the Sweet Sixteen. One opponent between Texas Tech and Notre Dame. The winner finds the winner from Gonzaga-Arkansas on Saturday, again at Chase Center.