Tag Archives: Jon Scheyer

Duke nips Butler 61-59 and are crowned National Champions

INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Butler Bulldogs to claim the schools and Mike Krzyzewski's fourth national championship on Monday evening in Indianapolis.

The game went down to the wire as Gordon Hayward's sixty foot shot bounded off the glass and Duke held on for life for a classic national final win.  The Blue Devils immediately took to mid court, hugs everywhere before the Blue Devils watched CBS's "One shining moment."

There was no reason for the hometown favorite Butler Bulldogs to hold their heads down, for they played good enough to win but fell just short.  The Bulldogs had a fabulous season, one they'll remember for years to come and they fought the tradition-laden Blue Devils tooth and nail until the buzzer sounded.

"I've been fortunate enough to be in eight national championship games and this was a classic.  This was the toughest and best one," said Krzyzewski who tied Adolph Rupp with four national titles.

He remains first in NCAA tournament wins with 77 and has twelve Final Four wins, second only to John Wooden of UCLA.  Krzyzewski is now 4-4 in national championship games.

Kyle Singler led the way for Duke with 19 points and 9 rebounds and his defense helped hold Butler star Gordon Hayward to 2 of 11 shooting from the field.  Hayward ended the game with 12 points as did Shelvin Mack.

"When I saw Hayward's shot  bounce off the rim, the team came together in a special moment," said Singler.

Jon Scheyer finished his Duke career with a 15 point effort  to go with a team high 5 assists.  "They were tough and I can only imagine how they feel especially with an end like that.

For Scheyer, the end means a national championship just as it does for fellow seniors, Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas.

Once again, Zoubek led the team in rebounding with ten and that earned him the praise of Krzyewski.  "I thought Zoubs on his out of bounds defense was great and then he adjusts and alters the shot, getting the rebound was so fitting for Zoubek.  Brian elevated out team over these last seven weeks to where we have a chance to play and win a national championship."

Krzyzewski also defended Brian when a media member asked him about his up and down career.  That's just Krzyzewski protecting his players and wanting Brian to be questioned about his play this season and not the past.

Thomas added six points and he finally cracked a smile at game's end.  Thomas has been intense throughout the tournaments and he now has the coveted national championship ring.

The Blue Devils bench did not score but they provided breaks for the starters.  If you were told the bench would not score, you would have likely thought Duke lost, but that is a testament to the veteran leadership.

After being out rebounded in the first half, Duke hit the glass better in the second half and that was a huge key in a tight game.  The final margin was 37 to 35 in the Blue Devils favor.

Duke finishes a special season with a 35-5 record and the team will now return to Durham for a raucous celebration.

BDN has been on the Duke beat all season long and we'll have more to come on the Blue Devils' fabulous March.  After all, the road ends in Indianapolis and Duke was the last team standing.

BDN Previews the National Championship – Duke [34-5] vs Butler [33-4]

Singler leads Duke versus Butler
Hometown heroes, the Butler Bulldogs, stand in the way of the Duke Blue Devils winning their 4th National Championship under Mike Krzyzewski. - Lance King

INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils will take on the Butler Bulldogs in a game that tips at 9:21 eastern and the winner will be the 2010 National Champion.

Butler was ranked 11th in the pre season and they are  riding a 25 game winning streak.   They have not only defeated three top ten teams in  Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State, but they held them all to less than 60 points.  In short, these Bull Dogs live up to their name for they are one tough bunch of kids.

Both Duke and Butler covet defense and that alone should make for a grinding game while they feel each other out.  Butler has held 12 of their last 13 opponents under 60, while Duke is allowing just 61 points per game.

Butler had 12 steals vs Michigan State and while they do not play the passing lanes as you might think, they make it difficult when the ball goes in the baseline with hands reaching.  Butler has 118 wins in four seasons 33-4 and their head coach Brad Stevens is a hot commodity.

Butler prefers to keep a game in the sixties and that strategy has been effective for them.  They are not particularly tall inside, so look for Duke to try to work it inside - out to create shots.

The Bulldogs best player is Gordon Hayward [6-9 soph, 15.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg]  who has led his team in scoring 17 times this season17 times this season.  He is a versatile player cut out in the mold of inside-out Duke players past.

Matt Howard [6-8 soph, 11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg]  has scored in double figure 47 times in his career and he anchors the front court.  Howard butted heads late in the Michigan State win but he is expected to go.

Another key player for the Bulldogs is Shelvin Mack [6-3 soph, 14.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg].  Mack is the motor of this team and Duke will need to keep him in their sights all night long.

Ronald Nored [6-0 soph, 6.0 ppg] starts as does Willie Veasley [6-3, senior, 10.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg].  Both of these guys are good team players and both can drop it in if left open.  Veasley is the veteran leader of a young team whose best players are sophomores.

Make no mistake, all of Indianapolis is behind Butler who as you know now is just six miles down the road from Lucas Oil Arena.  Many are making them out to be Cinderella, but their program has been consistent.

As for mutual opponents, Butler lost to Georgetown 72-65 in one of their 4 losses.  The Hoyas handed Duke their second  worst loss of the season in an 89-77 win. Butler lost to Clemson by 1 point in November while Duke holds two double figure wins over the Tigers.

Butler holds wins over Northwestern, UCLA, Xavier, UTEP, Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State and that alone should tell you they can indeed keep the title in Indianpolis.

The Blue Devils are led by their big three of Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler.  It will be hard to deny all three of these guys and if all are on their game as was the case in the win over West Virginia they should find victory lane.

But it is Duke's senior leadership which has been at the core of Duke's success as well.  The aforementioned Scheyer, hopes to remain hot from the field, while Lance Thomas will do all the dirty work which does not show up in the box score.

The emergence of Brian Zoubek is who many point to as the real reason Duke is in the title game has been a rebounding machine down the stretch and he will cause some match up problems inside for Butler.  If Zoubs controls the glass, Duke will benefit greatly.

It's only appropriate that these two teams are facing each other for they have earned the right to be here.  And while Brad Stevens coaching job has been fabulous for Butler this season, Coach Mike Krzyzewski, known as Coach K, who in my opinion has had his best season ever at the helm.

Keys to a Duke win 1) Shoot well from the field, 2) Push it inside in an effort to create some foul trouble which will get them to the line, 3) Play within your role - Duke was unselfish and patient on the offensive end against West Virginia and it will be important for this to continue, 4)  Rotate the bigs to keep the pressure on and this should wear Butler down.  Duke has been doing this all season, 5) Run when the opportunity is there.  Quick or easy baskets allows Duke to take Butler out of their comfort zone and if they are forced to play from behind, that works in Duke's favor.  In short, get out to a good start.

The fact that Duke has been here before should help, but I expect a game Butler team to give Duke all they want.  In the end, I see Duke winning their 4th national title under Krzyzewski. Duke's core is seniors while Butler's best players are sophomores and this is what keeps jumping out for me.

The pick here is Duke 74 Butler 61.

April 4th Duke Press Conference from Indianapolis

Duke set to take on Butler
Duke players address the media in Indy BDN Photo

INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils defeated West Virginia just hours ago, but they were once again in Lucas Oil Stadium to address the media early this afternoon.  The following is the national press conference which featured Coach K, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, Lance Thomas, Nolan Smith and Brian Zoubek.  Several more interviews to come including one on one chats with selected Blue Devil players and coaches.

April 4th Press Conference -

Duke’s Jon Scheyer discusses the win over West Virginia

Jon Scheyer leads Duke past West VirginiaINDIANAPOLIS -  Duke ripped West Virginia by 21 points on Saturday night and that means the Blue Devils will play for the National Championship on Monday.  A big part of the reason Duke won was the play of Jon Scheyer where he scored a team high 23 points.  Scheyer was swarmed by the media after the contest and while he was happy with the win, it was clear that there was one more game to go.

BDN's coverage from Indy continues today as we'll be on the scene for more player and coach interviews.

Duke defeats West Virginia to advance to Final Four – Coach K, Scheyer, Smith post game comments

Duke looking for a fourth national title
Duke has one more game to go before they celebrate - photo David Bradley

INDIANAPOLIS - Duke advanced to the National Championship game with a 78-57 win over West Virginia and in the process the Blue Devils can win their fourth title under Krzyzewski.

Coach K, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith addressed the media after the game and here are their comments -

Just press play -