Duke Men’s Basketball Advances to Elite Eight After Win Over Houston in Sweet 16
Duke men’s basketball is back in the Elite Eight after a hard-fought 54-51 victory over Houston in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The game was a physical battle, with Houston’s top-ranked defense keeping Duke at bay in the first half.
The turning point came when Houston’s All-American guard Jamal Shead went down with an apparent foot injury in the first half, severely impacting the Cougars’ lineup. Despite X-rays coming back negative, Shead was diagnosed with a severely sprained right ankle and had to sit out the rest of the game.
Duke capitalized on Houston’s loss, with Kyle Filipowski leading the charge with 16 points and nine rebounds. Jeremy Roach also stepped up in the second half with 14 crucial points to secure the win for Duke.
Head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s performance, highlighting the toughness they displayed throughout the game. He also addressed criticisms about Duke’s toughness, emphasizing the challenges of being a young team in the tournament.
With this win, Duke now moves on to face ACC rival North Carolina State for a spot in the Final Four. The matchup promises to be an intense battle between two powerhouse teams.
Overall, Duke’s victory over Houston was a testament to their resilience and determination, setting the stage for an exciting Elite Eight showdown. Stay tuned for more updates on Duke’s journey in the NCAA tournament.
