For the first time since 2015, Duke Basketball is heading back to the Final Four after beating the Arkansas Razorbacks 78-69 in the Elite Eight. With the win, Coach K will now coach in a record 13th Final Four, passing the late John Wooden who made it to 12.
That has been the major story for Duke, the fact that in his final season at the helm of the Duke Blue Devils, Coach K has led Duke back to the Final Four. However, that should not take away from the outstanding tournament the Blue Devils have had.
Superstar Paolo Banchero has looked like the best player in the country throughout the tournament as he has averaged 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field, and 53% from beyond the arc in Duke’s four games so far.
Banchero isn’t the only one who is playing well for Duke as Mark Williams has had a fantastic tournament, and Jeremy Roach has had a coming-out party, as he has had the best four-game stretch of his career, playing a big part in each of Duke’s tournament wins.
Now, the Blue Devils could potentially play North Carolina for the first time in the NCAA Tournament, or they could play the ultimate cinderella, the Saint Peters Peacocks. But before we take a look at Duke’s Final Four matchup, what were the biggest takeaways from their Elite Eight victory over Arkansas?