We asked you to tell us your favorite moments from the 2019-20 Duke men's basketball season. Here's what you chose:
5. A kind gesture off the court
Although most fans only have the chance to see the Blue Devils during game action, the players can make memories for the Duke faithful off the court as well. One reader told us the team's kindness made her family's trip to Durham for the Boston College game an experience they'd never forget.
"Our favorite moment was when we went to Durham on New Year's Eve. We were lucky enough to see the players leaving practice. Every single player we saw stopped to take a picture with my kids. It was so Incredibly special to be in the presence of such talented but humble athletes. It made our year! Oh and sitting in the student section first row for the BC game that night wasn’t too bad either!"—Sheila Johnson
4. Cassius Stanley's monster slam against Georgia Tech
In an unexpectedly tight January contest against the Yellow Jackets, Stanley's alley-oops were prime highlight reel material. With 8:44 to go in the second half, the freshman guard sprinted down the floor to catch a running pass from Tre Jones and dish it home to cut Duke's deficit to one point. Less than two minutes later, Stanley showed off his record-breaking vertical leap yet again when he and Jones connected for another alley-oop. The Blue Devils ended up winning the game 73-64, with Stanley chipping in 14 points.
"When Cassius Stanley [threw] down the crazy one-hand alley oop versus Georgia Tech when they were down one."—Jacob Tobman
3. J-Rob's Senior Night swan song
Justin Robinson's only career start was his last—but it was a performance for the ages against North Carolina, a consummation of his rapid transformation from perennial benchwarmer to clutch shot-blocker and 3-point marksman. After receiving little action on the floor for most of conference play, the San Antonio native saw a bump in playing time in Duke's loss to Wake Forest and win against North Carolina State. In his start against the Tar Heels, Robinson logged 13 points—12 coming from 3-pointers—and four blocks in his 25 minutes played as the Blue Devils pulled off the season sweep of the Tar Heels.
"Seeing J-Rob do what he did on senior night was equally special [as the first UNC game]. That kid was going to blow up March Madness."—Mark Slavik
2./1. A pair of last-second shots cemented in history
Is listing these together a cop-out? Perhaps, but the two are so inextricably tied that separating them seems impossible. North Carolina entered the matchup as a haggard bottom feeder in the ACC, but came out hot against Duke to establish a steady lead. As the Blue Devils clawed back late in the second half, it all came down to Jones at the free-throw line with only seconds remaining. He sank the first attempt and intentionally missed the second. But Jones secured the rebound, took a few hasty dribbles and launched a dagger toward the basket, Duke miraculously tied the game.
Fast forward to the last few seconds of overtime, and it's only fitting that Jones was once again at the charity stripe. He missed his second free throw, but regained possession thanks to an offensive rebound. Although Jones' midrange shot was wide of the basket, Wendell Moore Jr. was perfectly positioned for a tip-in and his own contribution to Duke lore. The rivalry always delivers.
"Watching our comeback win against Carolina—the common room was riveted to the TV in the final moments of regulation and OT, and both celebrations were priceless moments I'll cherish for years to come."—Patrick Wilson
"The comeback win at UNC. It was the best moment because of the way Duke won on the final play of regulation and OT. Both plays had to be executed to perfection and it just so happened to be the ONE time it worked. Nine out of ten times, UNC gets the rebound or the clock would have run out in the fight for the ball. Unreal. Duke-UNC always delivers no matter what the records or standings are."—Brendan Shriver
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