Freshman Step up in National Title Game

By: Jonah Nielsen
Online Editor-in-Cheif

For the seniors playing in a national championship game, there is somewhat of a bittersweet taste, as they know that win or lose, this will be the final time they suit up for their perspective teams. With that being said, there is certain more sweet then bitter for the winning team, and last night the four seniors on Duke can thank the teams four freshman for their 68-63 victory in the National Championship.

Jalil Okafor, Tyus Jones, Justice Winslow, and Greyson Allen stepped up big for the Blue Devils, as they scored all 37 of Duke’s second half points. Jones led all scorers with 23 points, and 5 rebounds, while perhaps the team’s two best players, Okafor and Winslow were in foul trouble for much of the game, yet still combined for 21 points. However, perhaps the biggest contribution came from the most unexpected first year player- freshman Greyson Allen.

After a Frank Kaminsky layup put the Badgers up 48-39 with 13:24 to play, the seemed to be slipping out of reach of the Blue Devils. They needed some big shots, and got them from Greyson Allen, who responded with two consecutive three point plays (a three point shot, and an and-one) followed by a pair of free throws to cut the lead to four.

This spark allowed Duke to refocus their offensive and play their style of game- find the big man- Okafor- and let him go to work. This resulted in Duke concluding the game on a 18-10 run and a 5th national title in the schools history. 

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