Paolo Banchero, No. 2 Duke Edge No. 7 Michigan State to Advance to Sweet 16

AP Photo/Chris Carlson

Mike Krzyzewski’s career has been extended for at least one more game after Duke’s 85-76 victory over Michigan State in the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.

After the defense looked vulnerable following a loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, the Blue Devils have been able to bounce back so far through two games in the tournament.

Michigan State fell to a No. 7 seed in the tournament after going 5-8 in its final 13 games of the regular season. Head coach Tom Izzo had gotten his team back on track with a 74-73 victory over Davidson in the first round Friday.

This was the sixth tournament meeting between Izzo and Krzyzewski since 1999. Coach K will finish with a 4-2 record against his longtime rival.

The game turned out to be everything college basketball fans could have hoped for. These two teams traded haymakers, especially down the stretch. 

Tyson Walker’s three-pointer with 5:28 remaining put the Spartans up 68-65, their first lead since midway through the first half. 

Duke’s defense mad some huge plays in the final two minutes. Mark Williams and Paolo Banchero had blocks on back-to-back possessions. Williams’ block set up a Banchero jumper that put the Blue Devils up 75-74 with 2:06 remaining. 

Banchero’s block on Joey Hauser led to Jeremy Roach’s three that gave Duke a four-point advantage. 

Following a Spartans timeout, Max Christie’s bad pass was picked of by Wendell Moore Jr., who was fouled on his way to the basket. He made both of his free throws to extend the lead to 80-74 and essentially seal the win. 

Notable Game Stats

• Paolo Banchero (Duke): 19 points (8-of-14 FG), 7 rebounds, 4 assists
• Mark Williams (Duke): 15 points (7-of-9 FG), 8 rebounds, 5 blocks
• Jeremy Roach (Duke): 15 points (6-of-10 FG), 3 assists
• Gabe Brown (MSU): 18 points (7-of-11 FG)
• Marcus Bingham Jr. (MSU): 16 points (5-of-12 FG), 10 rebounds
• Tyson Walker (MSU): 13 points (4-of-8 FG), 5 assists 

What’s Next?

Michigan State/Duke will play the Notre Dame-Texas Tech winner in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.

This article will be
updated shortly to provide more information on this game.

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