Duke Basketball: Takeaways from stunning overtime win at North Carolina

Wendell Moore Proved his Worth

After missing six games and not being a huge factor for the Blue Devils before getting injured, nobody was quite sure what role Wendell Moore would serve to the 2019-20 Duke Blue Devils.

On Saturday night at the Dean Smith Center against the North Carolina Tar Heels, Moore proved his worth and showed what his role could be for Duke this season.

Moore tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block against North Carolina, but it was one of those 10 rebounds and two of those 17 points that will etch his name into Duke history for the rest of forever.

With the clock about to hit zero, Wendell Moore collected a rebound off a Tre Jones airball and he put it right back up, making the layup, winning the game and sending Duke Nation and the sports world on fire as he gave us one of the best moments in the history of the Duke-UNC rivalry.

Moore got his sixth start of the season and first since December 3rd on Saturday night in what would be probably the biggest game of his life to date. In that start, Moore would show up and do what he does, solidifying his role for the Blue Devils.

On Saturday night we learned that Wendell Moore can be the guy Duke can rely on to get a bucket every now and then and he can be a guy who gets 25+ minutes a game. Moore averages 23.2 minutes per game but Saturday night Coach K kept him in there for 30 minutes and he proved he deserved it.

Recording his first career double-double, Moore was everywhere for Duke making big play after big play including a block that kept the Blue Devils in it in regulation and obviously the game-winner.

Going forward I would expect Moore to play a bigger role for Duke, but it’s not because of the buzzer-beater.