ATLANTA - During the under-12 minute television timeout Thursday night, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski told his team, which trailed 38-35, "We're going to win."
Over the next three-plus minutes, it appeared he was correct, as the Blue Devils went on a 10-2 run coming out of the timeout to take a five-point lead. But Duke managed just one field goal the rest of the game, a J.J. Redick three-pointer to give the top seed its last lead of the NCAA Tournament. The late-game struggles were characteristic of the Blue Devils' sluggish offense throughout the game.
"Plays down the stretch didn't lose the game, our play throughout the game lost the game," DeMarcus Nelson said.
The numbers reflecting Duke's offensive performance-or lack thereof-throughout the game are staggering. The team's 54-point output was the lowest since 1996, Krzyzewski's first year back from an extended absence from the team. The Blue Devils had shot at least 40 percent in every game this season. Against LSU, Duke shot 28 percent, making only 7-of-33 shots in the second half.
The team that led the nation in offensive efficiency for much of the year fell far below its regular level Thursday. According to statistician Ken Pomeroy's website, Duke averaged 117.8 points per 100 possessions for the entire season, with 100 points considered average. Thursday, the team's rating was 75 points per 100 possessions.
LSU's defense focused largely on J.J. Redick, holding the nation's second-leading scorer to just 11 points on 3-for-18 shooting. Duke's role players were unable to make the Tigers pay, as Shelden Williams was the only other Blue Devil to reach double figures.
"Our rule was, if we're in doubt, defender leave the screener and both of you run at Redick and leave the other guy open," LSU head coach John Brady said.
Just two minutes into the game, senior Sean Dockery passed up an open three with five seconds remaining on the shot clock. Greg Paulus was forced to put up an air ball as the clock expired, and Krzyzewski quickly substituted for Dockery, where on the bench the coach implored his senior guard not to be hesitant with his shot.
Krzyzewski's message seemed to get through to the team, as throughout the second half, the Blue Devils' perimeter players did not hesitate to shoot open shots. Still, they went 2-for-14 from behind the three-point line in the period.
"I don't think anyone on this team is scared of anything," freshman Josh McRoberts said. "We weren't scared to lose, it just kind of happened. We didn't get shots to fall, I don't think it had anything to do with people being too timid to shoot."
Many Duke players echoed the fact that they had decent opportunities, but just could not knock down open looks.
"You've got to shoot your shots with chutzpa," Lee Melchionni said. "I think our guys did that, but it's just a tough place to shoot in the dome here, in the big arena, and they didn't go down."
While the Blue Devil shooters were misfiring from the outside, LSU's defense kept Duke from making up the difference inside. The Tigers recorded nine blocks, led by Tyrus Thomas' five, and altered numerous other layups.
"It's the first team we played all year that could really block shots like that," Krzyzewski said. "It wasn't just their on-the-ball defense or off-the-ball. Their ability to block shots made us change some shots inside. And I don't know if we ever adjusted to that."
Further hindering the Blue Devils' offense was their inability to produce easy buckets off their defense, a problem that had been present all season. Duke used seven points off turnovers during a first-half stretch to cut LSU's nine-point lead to two, but forced just five turnovers in the second half.
Even when the Blue Devils did get out in transition, LSU was able to use its athleticism to halt the break-and stop Duke's run at a fourth National Championship.
"At the very start of the game we had a couple of fast breaks, and we tried lobs and they blocked two lobs," Krzyzewski said. "And we talked about that before the game. That if we get a fast break, don't throw a lob, try to get something strong to the basket. Because one of the things they do is chase you down... LSU is a team that doesn't give up on plays."
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