Featured image by Getty Images / Joe Robbins
Final Four #'s from five computer sources: Kentucky 67.5% prob to win. Duke 68.6% prob to win. pic.twitter.com/xKqU5FuPFy
— Jacob Rosen (@WFNYJacob) April 4, 2015
Starters are posted. Same five for Duke (Jones, Cook, Jones, Winslow, Okafor). Nairn, Trice, Dawson, Schilling and Valentine for MSU.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
Duke starters: Cook, T. Jones, Winslow, M. Jones, Okafor Michigan State starters: Nairn, Valentine, Trice, Dawson, Schilling
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 4, 2015
It gives me great joy to see Bill Raftery on the court at Lucas Oil, readying to call the Final Four.
— Dana O'Neil (@ESPNDanaOneil) April 4, 2015
Another Michigan State-UConn coincidence: No one gave the Huskies a chance vs. Florida last year.
— Russell Steinberg (@Russ_Steinberg) April 4, 2015
On a signature day for Bill Raferty – calling the Final Four for CBS, he calls to congratulate me on our season. That's why he's the best!
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) April 4, 2015
Referees for Duke-Michigan State are Pat Adams, Mike Eades and Bryan Kersey.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Wisconsin backup forward Vitto Brown one of four singing national anthem. Which is one more awesome thing about Wisconsin.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Well that anthem, my friends, was pretty freaking cool.
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) April 4, 2015
Pretty cool idea there, well done.
— Jon Pence (@scacchoops) April 4, 2015
Michigan State wins the tip #shocker
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
And I'll just say that hearing Bill Raftery saying "MANTOMAN!" on this broadcast is a little sweeter than others.
— Adam Amin (@adamamin) April 4, 2015
Floor slap No. 1 belongs to Michigan State's Denzel Valentine.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) April 4, 2015
Branden Dawson has shot twice in the first 2 minutes. He's awake. Not bad news for Sparty. #FinalFour
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) April 4, 2015
Ok Denzel Valentine, we see you
— Ed Isaacson (@nbadraftblog) April 4, 2015
Michigan State is burning the nets. Duke needs a defensive adjustment.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
I think Michigan State has gotten more open looks already than it did in the whole game against Louisville.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) April 4, 2015
This is abysmal, abysmal defense by Duke. And Tum Tum just slapped the floor against Duke!
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 4, 2015
Poor defensive communication there. You can’t leave Valentine like that.
— Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej) April 4, 2015
Duke down 6-14, but are perfect from the field. Two Justise Winslow turnovers have turned into 6 points for Michigan State.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
When Michigan State faced Duke in November, it went 5-20 from three. It has four threes in six minutes tonight.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) April 4, 2015
They showed Magic Johnson, so now they have to show Duke’s biggest fan: Satan.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) April 4, 2015
Michigan State came out surface-of-the-sun scorching but now is without a point for the last three and a half minutes.
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 4, 2015
I’d say Duke’s defensive intensity has picked up out of the first TV timeout.
— Bracketville (@BracketguyDave) April 4, 2015
Well, Michigan State didn’t score during that segment. Have to get something going towards the hoop. Jump shot-happy.
— Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej) April 4, 2015
Travis Trice’s mother’s shrieks are ricocheting off the walls of Lucas Oil. I’m a bit scared.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 4, 2015
Duke has only hit 1 of its last 6, but are on a 7-0 run. Defense.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
That's two on Schilling. Give Okafor the damn ball.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) April 4, 2015
Michigan State gets first bucket in about six minutes on slick layup by Trice. Leads 16-15.
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) April 4, 2015
Duke's first lead, and the Devils are on a 12-2 run.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Holy gracious, Okafor.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) April 4, 2015
Okafor dunk gives Duke its first lead of game
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) April 4, 2015
Duke in the bonus for the final 9:12 of the half. Winslow makes both and it's 20-16 Devils.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) April 4, 2015
Duke on a 14-2 run since the first media timeout. Okafor asserting his dominance.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) April 4, 2015
But now Justise Winslow gets his second with 8:42 left, after a soaring Dawson rebound. He's out too.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) April 4, 2015
Love that Tim Duncan banker by Okafor.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Michigan State is attacking Duke on the high pick and roll, their weakness. Okafor's getting lost.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
Yup. I know Izzo doesn’t want to, but Michigan State is going to need to double Okafor. One man is not enough.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 4, 2015
Jahlil didn't seem very pleased with Amile Jefferson on that play. Was definitely saying some things coming into the huddle.
— Scott Phillips (@phillipshoops) April 4, 2015
#Duke is 6-6 from the free throw line, including an Okafor make. Big difference in the game. 12-6 points in the paint advantage is big too.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
There are times when Branden Dawson dives to the tin and gains confidence as a finisher. That's what MSU desperately needs pretty soon.
— The Student Section (@TheStudentSect) April 4, 2015
MSU has only hit 2 of 11 shots since the first timeout.
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) April 4, 2015
Winslow back in with 2 fouls
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) April 4, 2015
Duke's first missed free throw of the game comes with 5:43 left in the first half. Were 7-7 before that.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
Coach K puts Winslow back in, goes to zone. Marvin Clark Jr. had the baseline but lost the ball. And then a Duke 3.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) April 4, 2015
Duke’s defense is on point.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) April 4, 2015
clark is shooooooook.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) April 4, 2015
Duke has roared from down 8 to up 8 in 11 minutes. Impressive.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
This is a 22-6 run that Duke is on the last 12 minutes. Since that flurry of threes, their defense has been fantastic.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) April 4, 2015
Tyus Jones is pumped up. All of Duke is, frankly. They’re feeling it now
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) April 4, 2015
After Valentine's hot start, Duke locked him down. Duke's guards are too quick for Trice, as expected. No one else on MSU is stepping up.
— The Student Section (@TheStudentSect) April 4, 2015
Michigan State at 87! Wow. RT @CLykinsBlog: Duke currently with a 126.1 offensive efficiency. | http://t.co/HyfkIr2SCm @scacchoops
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
Consider that Michigan State made its first four 3s and scored 14 points in opening 3:44 … and is currently at .870 points per possession.
— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) April 4, 2015
The Spartans were 5-of-7 in the first 3:41; now 3-of-14 in the 11:47 since. Oof.
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) April 4, 2015
Seriously, Costello spends two fouls on Plumlee, one of them 92 feet from the goal. That was not in the scouting report, guaranteed.
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) April 4, 2015
Two on Costello, two on Schilling, time for Colby Wollenman. Yikes.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Dangerous time for Michigan State. Not finding looks offensively, as Duke’s defended better, and Schilling/Costello have two fouls each.
— Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej) April 4, 2015
/Michigan State slaps the floor /Duke slaps the floor /Michigan State slaps the floor /Duke slaps the floor /Michigan State slaps the fl-
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) April 4, 2015
Michigan State hasn't shot a free throw. Which might be what Tom Izzo was pointing out to the refs heading into this timeout.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Hmmm RT @ESPNStatsInfo: Denzel Valentine started 3-3 from the field for Michigan State. He has taken one shot in the last 12:21 of game time
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) April 4, 2015
Coach K leaves Jefferson in with his second foul. Has to play smart over the last 3:58. Duke leads 29-22.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
Michigan State has now attempted a free throw. Two, actually.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 4, 2015
Transition offense is good for the Spartans. Missing layups, not so much.
— Chantel Jennings (@ChantelJennings) April 4, 2015
Tough go for Tum Tum thus far. Sideboard on the three, layup in transition rims out.
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 4, 2015
Lourawls Tum Tum Nairn Jr got too much shit going on with his name and it makes me nervous
— Larry Beyince (@DragonflyJonez) April 4, 2015
Wollenman is covering Okafor, and Grayson Allen took three straight shots. Not sure I got that.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Grayson Allen trying to help MSU here with multiple silly decisions. Duke finally gets it to Okafor, though.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) April 4, 2015
Duke allowed an above average 41% shooting in the half court in the regular season. They're allowing an elite 36% in the NCAA Tournament.
— Synergy Sports Tech (@SynergySST) April 4, 2015
MSU misses layup to cut it to 5, and they're quickly down 11. Killer.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 4, 2015
Two fouls on Quinn Cook, Justise Winslow and Amile Jefferson now. Yikes.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
Michigan St now in the bonus. Trice celebrates by missing the front end
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) April 4, 2015
Michigan State from the field: 1 of its last 7 … 2 of its last 11 … 3 of its last 16
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) April 4, 2015
Denzel Valentine hit three three-pointers by the first timeout and has been mostly an on-court spectator since.
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) April 4, 2015
I'm always amazed at the catches Okafor is able to make. Duke throws some horrendous entry passes into him sometimes
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 4, 2015
#SlipperyNCAATournamentRimAlert
— The Student Section (@TheStudentSect) April 4, 2015
Dawson's shot did everything but fall that time down. That was not happening early
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) April 4, 2015
That Dawson miss makes it official: Michigan State will never score again
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) April 4, 2015
Denzel Valentine is limping around. Looks like he either rolled his ankle or got kneed in the lower shin by Matt Jones.
— Kami Mattioli (@kmattio) April 4, 2015
Duke making a pretty clear effort to go 2 for 1 there
— Jon Pence (@scacchoops) April 4, 2015
Meanwhile, more drive the ball, get a foul call in Lucas Oil.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) April 4, 2015
Clock kept running after the whistle. No one’s checking. I’d alert someone, but I’d like this game to end before June.
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 4, 2015
#toosoon RT @BeBogus: Not sure I was prepared to hear Grant Hill ever say the words, "I know a little bit about hurt ankles."
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) April 4, 2015
Izzo apparently feels two-for-ones are as bad as social media.
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) April 4, 2015
After 4.5 tournament games, Duke opponents are shooting 39.2% on 2s. The transformation this D has made is astonishing.
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) April 4, 2015
The execution on that final Michigan State possession was…unfortunate.
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 4, 2015
After a scorching start, MSU went stone cold, making only 3 of their last 20 shots since the first timeout. They trail 36-25 at the half.
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) April 4, 2015
Duke takes a 36-25 lead into halftime. Taking care of business. Blue Devils haven't been in a true nailbiter game this tournament.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Duke outscored Michigan State 30-11 over the final 15:30 of the first half. Pretty outstanding from the Blue Devils.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) April 4, 2015
Michigan State missed their final 13 jump shots of the first half. They're also just 3-for-7 on layups. Just ugly shooting all around.
— Jeff (BPredict) (@BPredict) April 4, 2015
Duke can name their margin in this game. Mich St may be a 'name' team, but it's still a 7 seed for a reason. Playing like it today.
— Threehud (@EhudHoops) April 4, 2015
Dying at Crean in the back. RT @bretstrelow: . @stephenschramm is focused and unflappable pic.twitter.com/ZD2VKGTuMY
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 4, 2015
First five minutes are massive here
— Ben Swain (@TheBenSwain) April 4, 2015
Things continue to go not great for Michigan State.
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 4, 2015
Raftery after the flop: "It's windy here!"
— TomahawkNation Hoops (@TN_Hoops) April 4, 2015
To quote Yogi Berra, it's getting late early here for Michigan State.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Duke on a 6-0 run to open the second half. All on layups.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
This is the second half, but don't you worry — more fouls! more whistles! just like before!
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 4, 2015
That Travis Trice bucket was the first Michigan State field goal in nearly 8 minutes of playing time.
— Scott Phillips (@phillipshoops) April 4, 2015
$10 move, ten cent finish. And Okafor gets the emphatic flush on the other end.
— Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej) April 4, 2015
Four Duke players slapping the floor at once. The Quad-Slap is rare but worthy of commendation.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) April 4, 2015
Justise Winslow is my favorite Duke player and title for a Carl-centric Family Matters prequel
— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) April 4, 2015
Sparty Status: https://t.co/2FUhKK8zMp
— SB Nation CBB (@SBNationCBB) April 4, 2015
It's so depressed in Breslin right now that they just played Don't Stop Believin' and no one was into it. Everyone has stopped believin.
— Kyle Feldscher (@Kyle_Feldscher) April 4, 2015
HELLLO THERE GRAYSON ALLEN
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) April 4, 2015
Stop the fight. Grayson Allen just dunked on your head. Find your nearest exit, Michigan State.
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 4, 2015
U just got posterized by Grayson Allen! (Time to go home)
— John Walters (@jdubs88) April 4, 2015
When a dude named Grayson throws down… #notagoodsign for the Spartans
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 4, 2015
Grayson Allen follow his miss with a big time dunk! #Duke #FinalFour https://t.co/1cDSgM7C2a
— The Student Section (@TheStudentSect) April 4, 2015
Wrong time for the Michigan State bigs to duplicate what Augustine did in the ’05 title game vs. Sean May. Unproductive tonight.
— Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej) April 4, 2015
Duke held its first four NCAA tourney opponents to 36.8% shooting from field. Michigan State shooting 37.8% thus far.
— Zac Ellis (@ZacEllis) April 4, 2015
#Duke has had double digit leads in all of their NCAA Tournament games. All of them were cut to single digits. 20-point lead down to 16.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 4, 2015
The officiating has not been good. #collegebasketball
— The Assembly Call (@AssemblyCall) April 4, 2015
That was one of the worst calls I've seen in this tournament. One hopes it'll be the worst on this stage. #trippedoverownfeet
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) April 4, 2015
So not only do you make an awful call, you give Izzo a warning for arguing it? Paging @wesrucker247 …
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) April 4, 2015
'I don't want a bench warning. Tell him to T me,' says Izzo (he added an adjective that rides with ducking).
— Dana O'Neil (@ESPNDanaOneil) April 4, 2015
Should have had the ball with a chance to cut it to 10. Then you're quickly down 17. Story of this game.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 4, 2015
Took this picture of Okafor holding a basketball back in February. Now you understand? pic.twitter.com/wBb0WyzUFM
— Shannon Spake (@SSpakeESPN) April 4, 2015
He had already used his 50/50 Call RT @FullTimeHoops1: Coach K used his "phone a ref" lifeline.
— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) April 4, 2015
Trice is hurt, holding his Sparty
— TomahawkNation Hoops (@TN_Hoops) April 4, 2015
"Get his wind knocked out of him, so to speak" -Bill Raftery.
— Brian Barbour (@tarheelblog) April 4, 2015
Raftery is the king of nut-shot euphemisms.
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) April 4, 2015
Michigan State bricking a three then tipping the rebound right out into a Duke fast break sums up this entire game in one play.
— Jeff (BPredict) (@BPredict) April 4, 2015
Michigan State just needs Baylor’s defense to play the last 10 minutes of this game and things will turn out just fine.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) April 4, 2015
Gotta say, my man Wollenman has done better than anyone else on Okafor tonight.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
I still look back to the missed Nairn layup that would have cut it to 5. Then MSU was suddenly down 11, and that's all she wrote.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 4, 2015
Marvin Clark, Jr.’s +/-, on the other hand, is -15. In just 7 minutes. Welp.
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) April 4, 2015
Trice back to the bench after a quick trip to the locker room. Not sure tape works on that injury.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) April 4, 2015
Duke has driven TumTum pretty mercilessly tonight. Hasn't been able to stay in front of Tyus Jones.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 4, 2015
Mickie Krzyzewski (Coach K’s wife) was just up dancing around to the “shots, shots, shots everybody” song. Hilarious.
— Kami Mattioli (@kmattio) April 4, 2015
Tyus Jones making winning plays late, no surprise to anyone that have seen him play this year
— Jon Pence (@scacchoops) April 5, 2015
That fast break by MSU is why they've lost today. Terrible execution
— Busting Brackets (@BustingBrackets) April 5, 2015
Far too frequently Spartans have refused to even try to finish inside. Okafor's presence has been huge
— Mike Hall (@BTNMikeHall) April 5, 2015
Duke subs in some bench players up 15 late. That rarely happens. K looking to rest some guys though.
— Jon Pence (@scacchoops) April 5, 2015
And there you go. Good job, Izzo. RT @BPredict: If I were Izzo, I'd start hack-an-Okafor'ing now.
— Jeff (BPredict) (@BPredict) April 5, 2015
Justise Winslow is Duke's center on the floor right now.
— Adam Rowe (@BlueDevilLair) April 5, 2015
TIMEOUTS! I LOVE THIS HOUR OF THE GAME!!!
— Jim Young (@RealJimYoung) April 5, 2015
Izzo is determined to keep us all here until 2016
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) April 5, 2015
In danger of setting a new world record for largest crowd to ever simultaneously nap
— Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) April 5, 2015
LET’S JUST AGREE ON A FINAL SCORE AND MOVE ON
— Ben Swain (@TheBenSwain) April 5, 2015
Izzo falls to 1-9 against Krzyzewski, and that sums it all up.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 5, 2015
Duke will advance to its eighth national title game under Mike Krzyzewski — third in Indy. Won the previous two.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 5, 2015
DUKE IS ON TO MONDAY AND THE NATIONAL TITLE GAME for the 9th time under Coach K.
— Duke Basketball (@dukeblueplanet) April 5, 2015
Duke 81, Michigan State 61. Blue Devils will play Monday night in search of their fifth national title.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 5, 2015
