Last-second shot sinks Duke
Blue Devils drop first game of the season
By: Ben Cohen
Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: News
Last update: 12/21/07 at 1:51 PM EST
Last update: 12/21/07 at 1:51 PM EST
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NEW YORK - It had all the makings of a classic: a frenzied crowd in the World's Most Famous Arena, a back-and-forth second half, a clutch play that left spectators in awe, not one but two hectic finishes and heroes, plenty of heroes. But in all of the games of Duke lore-Hill to Laettner, McRoberts to Dockery, Scheyer to McClure-the last hero standing wore a white jersey with Duke stitched across the chest.
On Thursday night in the Aeropostale Classic in Madison Square Garden, the player who sunk the game's last shot-and, as it turns out, sunk the Blue Devils-wore a navy-blue jersey with Pitt emblazoned in front, his name was Levance Fields, and he, apparently, had little regard for Duke legends.
Fields foiled the next installment into the book of Duke's epic wins by swishing a step-back 3-pointer with six seconds left in overtime to give the No. 11 Panthers a 65-64 lead, one that turned final when Jon Scheyer's desperation 3-pointer and subsequent put-back clanked off the rim. The sellout crowd, on its feet for the final seconds of overtime, simultaneously erupted in a dichotomy of hollers and groans as the Pittsburgh bench celebrated by throwing towels up in the air and the sixth-ranked Blue Devils trudged to shake the hands of the victors.
It was, indeed, a classic game, perhaps the best in this young season of college basketball, but one that stung Duke (10-1) precisely because of the final outcome and because the way the loss unfolded.
"Sometimes you get punished in the toughest ways because you are not deserving," head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "You're teased, and then you're hit. It's not just not playing well and losing by 20-it's losing when you lose like this. The game has a way of doing that to you, and tonight, that's what happened to us."
Even after Duke squandered a 16-point first half lead, even after falling behind by three with less than two minutes left in regulation, even after Duke trailed by a point after Fields' desperation 3-pointer, the Blue Devils still had chances to beat Pittsburgh (11-0).
On Thursday night in the Aeropostale Classic in Madison Square Garden, the player who sunk the game's last shot-and, as it turns out, sunk the Blue Devils-wore a navy-blue jersey with Pitt emblazoned in front, his name was Levance Fields, and he, apparently, had little regard for Duke legends.
Fields foiled the next installment into the book of Duke's epic wins by swishing a step-back 3-pointer with six seconds left in overtime to give the No. 11 Panthers a 65-64 lead, one that turned final when Jon Scheyer's desperation 3-pointer and subsequent put-back clanked off the rim. The sellout crowd, on its feet for the final seconds of overtime, simultaneously erupted in a dichotomy of hollers and groans as the Pittsburgh bench celebrated by throwing towels up in the air and the sixth-ranked Blue Devils trudged to shake the hands of the victors.
It was, indeed, a classic game, perhaps the best in this young season of college basketball, but one that stung Duke (10-1) precisely because of the final outcome and because the way the loss unfolded.
"Sometimes you get punished in the toughest ways because you are not deserving," head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "You're teased, and then you're hit. It's not just not playing well and losing by 20-it's losing when you lose like this. The game has a way of doing that to you, and tonight, that's what happened to us."
Even after Duke squandered a 16-point first half lead, even after falling behind by three with less than two minutes left in regulation, even after Duke trailed by a point after Fields' desperation 3-pointer, the Blue Devils still had chances to beat Pittsburgh (11-0).
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Chuck Healy
posted 12/21/07 @ 8:33 AM EST
Way too few defensive rebounds equals no fastbreak opportunities for a high-scoring team like Duke and too many put-back points for a poor-shooting opponent like Pitt. (Continued…)
Lewis Graybill
posted 12/21/07 @ 6:12 PM EST
Nobody has yet to mention Duke's horrendous free throw
shooting. It will jump up and bite you and it did. There
is absolutely no excuse for players of this caliber missing free throws, but it has been atrocious. (Continued…)
TooPoopedToPop
posted 12/24/07 @ 3:44 PM EST
Hey Scheyer -- grow a pair, will ya?
Pitt24
posted 12/26/07 @ 2:26 PM EST
What a great game (for Pitt). I have been back in Pittsburgh since Saturday and i am still high on it. I like the "Scheyer grow a pair" comment. We had the same problem last year with 7 footer Aaron ray (now of the Chi Bulls) who was soft. (Continued…)
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