Favorite gut plays by Duke players.

[skysdad]

I know some may get tired of some of my never ending threads but I would like to hear of some of your favorite hustle, gutty or all out just floor slapping plays over the years. I have a couple in mind I just cannot ever forget. Two involve Kyle Singler. I can't remember the games but one was where he was walking down the court with blood on his face along with that grin. I guess he had received a cheap shot and was just thinking "is that your best shot?" Another was when he went flying into the Crazies section over press row. I loved Kyle Singler. Warrior. OFC

 

[FearTheBeard_rivals208808]

When I read the thread title I immediately thought of Singler.

 

[germantondevil]

Grayson Allen in the Natty!!! Coming in and laying out for a 50/50 ball when the team was struggling,,, that is the first one that I think of but my memory is terrible. I can think back and come up with others

 

[skysdad]

I see Wojo sliding and bouncing off the floor over and over again. Bobby Hurley getting nailed by a hard pick that could have knocked him out but jumping right up and playing as if nothing had happened. OFC

 

[TheDude1]

Singler into press row. It wasn’t at Cameron, though... it was in the ACC Championship game, at my old stomping grounds, Greensboro Coliseum A game we won. He actually avoided Dan Shulman very nicely all things considered, and I remember Dick V being so flustered without his partner and in the ensuring aftermath... he kept asking the ref for a charge call.



Another would be Shane’s double hand block and subsequent tip back inbounds in the National Title game vs Arizona... it was immediately after a Dunleavy three, and then led immediately to another Dunleavy three and an Arizona time out. Possibly... just possibly... the biggest single play in Duke history.



A “blink and you’ll miss it” one, but there was a game in 2015... Duke vs Gonzaga... the Elite 8... Stones goes out of bounds and, as he does, throws it off a prone Zag to retain possession.



A random, forgotten, “unimportant” one... Greg Paulus, at the McDonalds AA game, diving out of bounds and taking out a cheerleader while going after a loose ball. Into the stands. At a meaningless AA game. Say what you will, the kid was tough.

Maybe Zoubs’ rebound after the Hayward miss?



How about two gutty Duke player moments NOT during a game?

Huge fan of Jon Scheyer and “It hasn’t happened yet.” Maybe tied with “Here’s to never forgetting!” as greatest Duke line ever?

And Lee Melchionni kissing the D at center count of Cameron before his last game.

@skysdad Now that I'm thinking about it, did Kyle ALSO go into the crowd in Cameron? I'm feeling like yes, he did...

 

[dbav]

Scheyer's behind the back heave to keep the ball in play against Texas in 2010.

 

[Canadian Dukie]

Hill to Laettner........Duke wins!!!!!!!

 

[IPSYCHOSIS]

Most recent would be Zion diving for a loose ball in one of the exhibitions up by like 50. I knew it then, he was gonna be that DUDE!

 

[hart2chesson]

JJ Redick DIVING for a loose ball about the right wing area in front of opponent's basket as the final seconds wound down against The Cheaters. Never forget the image of Redick lying there cradling the ball in Cameron,and smiling as we edged our hated rivals....

OFC

 

[JustAfanatic]

Grayson Allen in the Natty!!! Coming in and laying out for a 50/50 ball when the team was struggling,,, that is the first one that I think of but my memory is terrible. I can think back and come up with others

I fully believe we lose without this play by Grayson. When he sat there and yelled “let’s go” three times toward the bench, it got us going.

 

[germantondevil]

A gutty as hell move was when Duke used to slap the floor on defense basically telling the other team “You will not score on this possession” You have guts when you call out another team and then back it up most of the time. God I used to love those teams that took pride in their defense and getting stops.

 

[DukeDenver]

It took guts for @HonkeyT to admit her true gender. Toughest looking lady I ever met...

There was one play I remember that had 4 Duke guys diving on the same play one after another, but I can’t remember when it was.

I loved the Duhon coast to coast reverse winner. That was all heart. Battier chase down block on Forte. Zion certainly had some insane effort plays, the immaculate block on UVA chief among them.

 

[timo0402]

It took guts for @HonkeyT to admit her true gender. Toughest looking lady I ever met...

There was one play I remember that had 4 Duke guys diving on the same play one after another, but I can’t remember when it was.

I loved the Duhon coast to coast reverse winner. That was all heart. Battier chase down block on Forte. Zion certainly had some insane effort plays, the immaculate block on UVA chief among them.

Denver i want to say off the cuff the play you’re talking about was against UK in the meadowlands with Jason Williams, Dunleavy, Boozer and Williams again. I’m sure someone can look that up but that’s my first thought of the play you described.

 

[dbav]

I actually tend to think of a whole game against Clemson for Kyle Singler. I think he went up against Trevor Booker the whole game and they just beat the hell out of each other, but they both loved it and showed a lot of respect to each other. I recall Singler doing a press conference with a black eye as a result of that game.

I'd put the Hendo dunk against Maryland following the Nolan Smith screen as one as well.

 

[Smythe13]

Individually, Hurley's three against UNLV. Entire team against unx in 2016 with Matt Jones injured and Amille out against a good unx team.

 

[OriginalJayWill]

Phil Henderson, out of nowhere, dunking all over Alonzo Mourning. Shocked everyone, including Georgetown, and fired us up. OFC

 

[dukedevilz]

This run-down block by Battier. Score was 50-47 and Forte had a fastbreak layup to cut the lead to 1. Battier blocks it - and we subsequently knock down 2 threes to go up by 9. Huge. Good footage of the replay in slow motion starting at 40 seconds.


Also, Wojo's hustle play in the 97 Maui Final against Arizona. He stepped out on the sideline, but the effort was well appreciated. Play starts at 38:11. Replay, with a different angle, at 38:52.

 

[Showenuff]

When you talk about "guts" , Bobby Hurley. End of discussion. I mean, LOOK at this kid. scrawniest , whiniest crybaby ever beginning of his freshmen year. Fast forward, toughest, scrappiest most effective college PG on planet Earth. This kid ran into walls of men setting bone crushing pics, he shook off every one of them. He put up with the biggest prick known to man in Laettner, and not only got tough from it, but when the time came HE challenged Laettners toughness. When I look at what Bobby had to work with physically, he, to me, was an absolute amazing specimen of a successful athlete. And brother, that kid, had GUTS!

 

[HonkeyT]

Scheyer coming off a curl and hitting the game winning 3 against GA Tech in the 2010 ACC Championship game. After that I knew we would win it all.

Laettner hitting the two FT against UNLV in the ‘91 FF to shock the Rebels.

Hurley’s sack hanging performance against IU after the Kentucky game (The Shot).Hurley saved us that night, man. Saved us...

Man I could go on and on....God I love Duke.

 

[Mac9192]

When you talk about "guts" , Bobby Hurley. End of discussion. I mean, LOOK at this kid. scrawniest , whiniest crybaby ever beginning of his freshmen year. Fast forward, toughest, scrappiest most effective college PG on planet Earth. This kid ran into walls of men setting bone crushing pics, he shook off every one of them. He put up with the biggest prick known to man in Laettner, and not only got tough from it, but when the time came HE challenged Laettners toughness. When I look at what Bobby had to work with physically, he, to me, was an absolute amazing specimen of a successful athlete. And brother, that kid, had GUTS!

You’re on a roll. Best point guard Duke has ever had, and there’s been some good ones. Like you said, tough as nails. Those of us old enough have been really blessed to say we’ve seen Hurley, Laettner, and those slightly before them.

 

[TheDude1]

Should Stones be on this list? I mean, that kid had a BUNCH of BALLSY plays...

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

Jayson Williams during the miracle minute at Maryland. He had struggled all game but made up for it in a hurry.

 

[Mac9192]

The 16 team in Chapel Hill. Matt Jones out hurt, foul trouble in the 2nd half. Maybe one of the best comebacks ever. Ingram and Allen were sensational.

 

[Canadian Dukie]

When you talk about "guts" , Bobby Hurley. End of discussion. I mean, LOOK at this kid. scrawniest , whiniest crybaby ever beginning of his freshmen year. Fast forward, toughest, scrappiest most effective college PG on planet Earth. This kid ran into walls of men setting bone crushing pics, he shook off every one of them. He put up with the biggest prick known to man in Laettner, and not only got tough from it, but when the time came HE challenged Laettners toughness. When I look at what Bobby had to work with physically, he, to me, was an absolute amazing specimen of a successful athlete. And brother, that kid, had GUTS!

I still remember his final game,second round 1993 vs Cal with Jason Kidd.Bobby scored 32 points in a losing effort,did everything he could to try to win,didn't want it to be his last game in a Duke uniform.The ultimate Duke Blue Devil!