EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - And to think, some were asking if the Blue Devils could win without Trajan Langdon.
Perhaps fueled by questions from reporters on Saturday that he might not be a necessary component of Duke's offensive attack, Trajan Langdon went out and quieted disbelievers with a 23-point, 6-of-7 shooting effort that left all in a state of reverence towards the Blue Devils' fifth-year senior captain.
"Trajan's the best shooter I've ever had," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "He doesn't take a lot of shots to score his points. That's what makes you a great player. He's efficient."
The moment when Duke took command of yesterday's contest with Temple was obvious-with five minutes gone, Langdon took a feed from Carrawell and hit a running leaner from the right baseline. At the time, the bucket cut the Owls' lead down to 9-7, and it might not have been significant except for what followed: three consecutive Trajan Langdon three-pointers, surrounding only one Temple basket.
Getting himself open and square to the basket, Langdon simply caught, released, then turned up the court to get back on defense. There was no need to follow his shot, as there were no rebounds to get.
Those were the only four shots Langdon took in the first half, but the impact of each was devastating to Temple's hopes of staying in the game with the Blue Devils. The spurt helped earn Langdon the East Regional MVP award.
"Big players make big plays in big games," forward Shane Battier said. "When Trajan hits a three, it's worth much more than three points on the scoreboard. It really gives us a lift."
That lift has finally catapulted his team into the Promised Land, the Final Four berth which has eluded Langdon in the four previous years he's worn royal blue. After suffering through some dismal seasons at Duke, and landing on the doorstep in last year's loss to Kentucky, the taste of victory is sweet for the Alaskan native.
"It's been a long time in coming," Langdon said. "Going into the game, I knew it was my last chance to go to the Final Four."
Having been there when the team was down, Langdon provided his teammates with a counter to the unbridled success some of the other Blue Devils have known. Langdon worked to help keep his teammates' heads squarely on their shoulders.
"You have to keep [the success] in perspective," Langdon said. "You don't take anything for granted. You still want to go out every minute of the game and play your best basketball."
Earlier in the weekend against Southwest Missouri State, Langdon again led Duke in scoring and also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds. While his team was faltering somewhat against the Bears, Langdon guided the Blue Devils through to the next round.
"When we're out of sync like that, Trajan brings consistency to our game," Elton Brand said. "He is always knocking down shots. He really brings a presence that leads and guides us. Without his steadiness out there, it would have been a lot closer."
After the Temple game, backcourt mate Will Avery was singing Langdon's praises as well.
"I feel very confident when he's making shots like that," Avery said. "I think it gives the team energy, and I just try to get him the ball. Without a doubt, he's the best shooter I've ever played with, and he's the best shooter in the country right now."
Now, heading into uncharted waters, Langdon was reveling in the moment of his first regional championship.
"This is as far as I've been," Langdon said. "It's a great feeling to be going to the Final Four, and we will worry about the rest next weekend."
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