UNC Takes Advantage of Zion’s Injury and Routs Duke, 88-72

The No.8 North Carolina Tar Heels (21-5, 11-2 Conf) defeated No.1 Duke Blue Devils (23-3, 11-2 Conf) in the biggest NCAA game of the season. UNC was better 88-72, clinching a win over the No.1 seed fort he first time since 2013.

But all this was overshadowed by an injury Zion Williamson picked up.

Only 32 seconds of the game have passed when big freshman hurt his right knee and went down to the floor. Williamson tried to get rid of one of the guards when his left shoe simply exploded. His foot broke through, leaving him without balance, with all of his weight concentrated on the right knee.

“I just thought he’d twisted his ankle or his knee. But when he took his shoes off, I thought maybe something else was going on,” said Tre Jones, Zion’s teammate.

The big fella held his knee, but stood up afterward and limped off the field.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski told after the game that Zion’s knee is mildly sprained, and that it is stable. The length of his absence, however, is not determined yet.

“It’s a mild knee sprain.” Coach K stated at the press. “The knee is stable. We don’t know how long he’ll be out.”

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski says that Zion Williamson has a mild knee sprain and that his knee is stable. More details will be available tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/eHN9gSbE7p

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 21, 2019

North Carolina immediately seized the opportunity and started using the big gap in Duke’s defense which appeared after Zion left the floor.

They opened the game with 10-3 series, and with 6:04 until the end of the half it was already 30-17 for the guests.

As soon as the second half started, UNC made a 13-0 run which closed the match. With 15:58 to go, the No.8 seed was up 59-37.

Luke Maye was the unstoppable force on the court, pouring 30 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. He was the key factor in Tar Heels’ domination under the rim.

“It opened up some lanes inside, and gave us the opportunity to drive close to the basket,” Maye said in the locker room about Zion’s injury.

And that was true. From the first 34 points UNC scored, 32 were from the paint, and for you to have a clear picture of their domination under the rim, here is another data. The guests outscored Duke in the paint 62-28.

That pretty much shows Williamson’s influence on the floor.

“We miss him as a player, but it’s not just that. He is also the source of our energy. So, without him on the floor, that energy is missing,” said his teammate Cameron Reddish.

Besides Maye, the best player among the visiting team was Cameron Johnson, who had 26 points and 7 boards, along with 4 dimes. The 6-9 guard had 11 of 13 for two presenting a huge problem for Blue Devils in the moments when Maye had to catch some breath.

Garrison Brook was excellent support with 14 buckets and 8 boards, hitting 6 of 7 field goal attempts.

Despite struggling with three-point percentage, 2 of 20, North Carolina was able to maintain the advantage and keep Duke on a safe distance.

RJ Barrett and Cam Reddis combined for 60 points, and they did they part of the job. But what was evident is the fact that they didn’t have any support from other players. Believe it or not, all other 6 guys who played in this event, not counting Zion, scored 12 points.

Tre Jones who was supposed to step up, ended the game with only 3 points, shooting 1 of 11 from the field. His defensive stats were excellent (8 boards, 5 assists, 4 steals), but when needed to execute, the problems appeared all over the place.

Along with his 33 points, Barrett had 23 boards also. Reddish had 27 buckets.

The slow movement of the ball was a huge weakness for the hosts, who posted only 9 assists during the entire contest.

Duke’s loss will no doubt cause changes in the AP poll, and it is hard to believe for the Blue Devils to keep the No.1 seed. Meanwhile, UNC will go up from place No.8 that is also sure.

Up next we have Duke visiting No.18 Syracuse, while North Carolina hosts No.16 Florida State. Both games take place on Saturday.

These two sides will meet again on March 9th, only this time, UNC is the host.