Blast from the past: Duke men's basketball defeats Michigan State in 2015 Final Four

As Duke prepares to face Houston in San Antonio for a spot in the National Championship Game, the Blue Zone takes a look at the last time the Blue Devils won in the Final Four, back in 2015:

On Saturday, the Blue Devils punched their ticket to the Final Four for the third time in the last 10 years. The most recent victory for Duke in the national semifinals came a decade ago, in an 81-61 bludgeoning of Michigan State on the road to a fifth national title. 

Just how elite defending has been a bright spot for the Blue Devils this year, in 2015 suffocating defense sent Duke to the title game. The Spartans came out firing on all cylinders, with guard Denzel Valentine making three in a row from beyond the arc to put Michigan State up 14-6. But after that point, the Blue Devils locked in and locked the Spartans down. 

Heading into the first media timeout down eight points, something had to change. Over the next couple of minutes, former head coach Mike Krzyzewski decided to pull starters Jahlil Okafor, Quinn Cook and Matt Jones in favor of Marshall Plumlee, Amile Jefferson and Grayson Allen. This rotation provided a spark, and the Duke defense benefited greatly.

While the reserves were in, Michigan State did not make a single field goal, and instead the Blue Devils went on a run. Heading into the half, Duke held a 36-25 lead on the back of a 30-11 stretch following that first media timeout.

Valentine only added two more points in the first half, and nobody stepped up to fill his void. The Spartans shot 21.7% from the field on the half as a whole, and they were never able to regain their early momentum.

Duke went on to win 81-61 before facing Wisconsin in the national title game, where yet again the Blue Devil defense was crucial to keeping them in the game. 

Heading into this massive weekend for Duke basketball, some reflection on the past may be beneficial. While offense is certainly important, defense won a championship in 2015, and it may end up doing the same 10 years later.