Lot of talk about poor shot selection by UNC and them giving the game away. Here's what I saw. When Duke D ed up, UNC backed off. UNC guards didn't just settle for outside shots at the end of the game Johnson got the ball foul line extended and Marshal manned up, poked the ball away. Johnson recovered and gave the ball up, never got it back. Looked like he didn't want it back. Paige drove and Marshal challenged. Page didn't attack the guy with 4 fouls, he gave it up. Maybe not the worst decision. Meeks had a much smaller freshman on him. Meeks went up soft and Kennard blocked his shot! Last possession, Jackson got the ball with plenty of time and a guy 3-4 inches shorter than him on him. Grayson manned up and Jackson gave the ball up. He wanted nothing to do with it. At least Berry took a shot, but even he didn't try to get all the way to the rim.
Now let's look at Duke. Younger and outmanned, should have been much more tired. Grayson continually attacked, even after getting doubled, knocked down, and a couple of his shots getting blocked. He continued to attack and eventually broke UNC's defense down. Ingram, a freshman and supposedly to thin to take the physical rigors. Rough first half, continuously battleing bigger, stronger guys, had some shots blocked early. No breaks. Attacked to the very end. Took the game in his hands when Duke was down 8. Marshal played the last 11 minutes with 4 fouls, less rested than the UNC bigs, and outnumbered. He was the toughest guy on the court and owned the UNC bigs at the end of the game. How many huge plays did he make on D. Kennard with the huge 3, always looking to make a play, not just give it up, and two great play against Meeks in the last couple of possessions. And Thornton. What a play at the end, and, how tough was he all game.
Now let's look at Duke. Younger and outmanned, should have been much more tired. Grayson continually attacked, even after getting doubled, knocked down, and a couple of his shots getting blocked. He continued to attack and eventually broke UNC's defense down. Ingram, a freshman and supposedly to thin to take the physical rigors. Rough first half, continuously battleing bigger, stronger guys, had some shots blocked early. No breaks. Attacked to the very end. Took the game in his hands when Duke was down 8. Marshal played the last 11 minutes with 4 fouls, less rested than the UNC bigs, and outnumbered. He was the toughest guy on the court and owned the UNC bigs at the end of the game. How many huge plays did he make on D. Kennard with the huge 3, always looking to make a play, not just give it up, and two great play against Meeks in the last couple of possessions. And Thornton. What a play at the end, and, how tough was he all game.