2004 Duke vs. Xavier
Re-watch #6 - The Duke Basketball Project
Duke vs. Xavier
Atlanta Regional Final
Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA
March 28, 2004
Where I was
This is a rare game that I did not see live when it happened. I was a sophomore in college, volunteering as a youth basketball coach and we had a game that Sunday afternoon. My youth team got the victory and I was able to catch the last five minutes of the Duke game on the radio driving back to my apartment. Side note: I love listening to basketball on the radio, something I rarely do anymore because of technology, but on that Sunday evening I listened to the great Bob Harris call the end of the action.
Why this game
When Duke played Xavier earlier this season, I immediately thought of this game and made sure it was on my list. Since I did an Elite 8 game for re-watch #5 and chose the Baylor game over this one, I decided to go ahead and run it back with another Regional Final. Because Duke didn’t win the whole thing, this game is an example of one that can get lost among all the great games throughout Coach K’s career. The 2004 team is one of my favorite Duke teams, with Chris Duhon as its leader, and I loved that season.
Storylines
Xavier was attempting to reach its first Final Four and, after an average start to the year, the Musketeers were currently the hottest team in the country. Xavier had won 16 of its last 17 games, including a 20-point victory over St. Joseph’s in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Until that game, St. Joe’s was undefeated behind eventual National Player of the Year Jameer Nelson. After knocking off 2-seeded Mississippi State and 3-seeded Texas, Xavier was trying to become the first team ever to beat a 1-seed, 2-seed, and 3-seed on their way to the Final Four. Duke was coming off a loss in the ACC Tournament for the only time in an 8-year span, an overtime loss to Maryland in the championship (I was at that game). Can you name the 7 teams Duke beat in the ACC Tournament Finals from 1999 to 2006? See trivia answer below. Early in that loss, Chris Duhon badly injured his ribs and back diving out of bounds before sliding into a television camera. In true Duhon fashion, he returned to that game and continued playing through the pain during the NCAA Tournament.
The Teams
Duke started Chris Duhon, Daniel Ewing, JJ Redick, Luol Deng, and Shelden Williams. Shavlik Randolph, Sean Dockery, and Nick Horvath checked-in off the bench. Xavier was coached by Thad Matta and started Lionel Chalmers, Romain Sato, Anthony Myles, Justin Doellman, and Justin Cage. The senior trio of Chalmers, Sato, and Myles brought toughness, leadership, and experience - exactly what you want in the NCAA Tournament. Dedrick Finn played 32 minutes off the bench and Brandon Cole also saw action for the Musketeers.
The Game
1st Half Summary
The game opened with both defenses locked in and perhaps both offenses a little tentative. The teams started a combined 0-11, with a lone Shelden Williams free throw as the only point of the game until Chris Duhon hit a driving layup after almost 4 minutes of action. Anthony Myles immediately answered with a long 2 and the scoring was finally underway. Lionel Chalmers responded to a Daniel Ewing 3 with a tough 3 off the dribble and Xavier showed a 2-3 zone for the first time at the 14:30 mark. After Dedrick Finn hit a floater to give Xavier its first lead, Chalmers calmly banked in a high arching shot over Shelden Williams and then hit a pull-up baseline jumper to cap a 9-0 Xavier run. Out of the under 12 media timeout, a Shelden Williams block led to an open 3 in transition for Daniel Ewing. Ewing’s shot hit the front rim, bounded straight up, and fell through the net. It wasn’t quite the bounce Don Nelson got in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals but Duke certainly needed it to stop the Xavier momentum. Shelden Williams tipped home a miss from Duhon before Chalmers used a ball screen to drill a long 2. Coach Matta would put Chalmers, Sato, and Finn in ball screen action throughout the game, keeping constant pressure on Duke’s man-to-man.
Luol Deng got into the action with a couple of free throws and then hit a tough jumper in the lane before Anthony Myles answered with a nice drop step around Shavlik Randolph. The game was now tied at 17 with 5:30 left in the half. Myles had another basket in the post before Finn, Chalmers, and Williams each hit a pair of free throws. The Blue Devils would get a 3-point play from Shelden Williams as “The Landlord” ducked in the lane after screening for Redick - I love this action and so did Bill Raftery, calling out “say goodnight” before Williams could finish the play. Shortly after, JJ hit his first 3 on the assist from Sean Dockery and Duke led 28-27. The Blue Devils had the ball with the shot clock off and a chance to add to their lead, but Redick’s floater from the baseline missed and Dedrick Finn’s deep 3 beat the buzzer to flip the lead. Duke now trailed at the break.
2nd Half 20:00 - Duke 28 Xavier 30
Anthony Myles continued his strong play with a couple of baskets off offensive rebounds, and Luol Deng and Shelden Williams each picked up their 3rd foul within the first two minutes. With Xavier still mixing in zone with their man-to-man, Deng was able to find a gap at the free throw line for a jumper before he and Justin Doellman traded 3’s. Chris Duhon finished a layup inside and then tracked down a Shavlik Randolph block, led the break, and dropped it back to Deng for the slam.
2nd Half 15:41 - Duke 39 Xavier 38
As they had all game, Xavier responded, first with free throws from Myles and then a bucket by Justin Cage off a baseline out of bounds. Luol Deng grabbed a rebound and took it coast to coast - his length and versatility were incredible. Unfortunately for Xavier, Anthony Myles picked up his 4th foul jockeying for position with Williams in the post at the 12:33 mark. As Duke readied to take the ball out of bounds, Myles remained in the game despite the 4 fouls. Redick missed a 3 but Myles was called for his 5th foul as Williams had inside position for the rebound. It’s a shame the senior Myles picked up two fouls so close together, especially given the defensive and physical nature of this game. As a basketball purist, I’m not in favor of adding a 6th foul in college or removing the disqualification for personal fouls all together, but I do hate that foul trouble seems to often affect NCAA Tournament games. I’d prefer the players who have been out there all year decide the season but “it is what it is.” Deng found himself in the middle of the zone again, this time finding Daniel Ewing for his third 3 of the game.
2nd Half 11:46 - Duke 44 Xavier 44
Moving without the ball as he did so well, JJ Redick got a good look at 3 and knocked it down. After 13 points in the first half, Lionel Chalmers had yet to score with Duhon now as his primary defender. However, Chalmers got Luol Deng isolated after a switch and hit a nice floater as he drove the lane. Shelden Williams and Romain Sato each hit two free throws before Duhon found Ewing on a lob at the rim after a backscreen from Deng. Romain Sato grabbed a miss by Chalmers and put it back in as he was fouled by Shelden Williams. Sato missed the free throw but it was Williams’ 4th foul of the game. Justin Cage snagged an offensive rebound and was fouled by Redick. Xavier was now in the double bonus and Cage hit 1 of 2 free throws for the 8th tie of the game.
2nd Half 7:13 - Duke 51 Xavier 51
Shavlik Randolph hit a nice jump hook before fouling out as Romain Sato crashed the offensive glass once again. After Redick couldn’t finish a drive, Brandon Cole rebounded a missed 3 by Chalmers and put it in over Williams, who was back in the game with 4 fouls. Xavier now had 16 second chance points compared to 5 for Duke and the Musketeers had regained the lead. Williams missed in the lane and Xavier pushed the ball up the floor. Cole was challenged at the rim by Redick, forcing him to earn it at the line. Brandon Cole made the first and missed the second, but Xavier gathered yet another offensive rebound. Fortunately, Redick came up with a steal and rushed to the other end before Sato tipped the ball out of bounds from behind.
2nd Half 5:13 - Duke 53 Xavier 56
As Redick took the ball out on the baseline, Luol Deng flashed to the near corner. Deng was left all alone and buried the 3 - the freshman would remain central to the action down the stretch. Justin Doellman had a 3 of his own rattle in and out and Luol missed a pull-up jumper before Brandon Cole was unable to convert inside. Deng rebounded the miss and led the fastbreak, but Doellman was back under the basket and took the charge for the 4th foul on Luol Deng. Duhon returned the favor as he forced Lionel Chalmers to go left instead of right off a high ball screen before taking a charge on Chalmers’ drive.
2nd Half 3:54 - Duke 56 Xavier 56
Coming out of the media timeout, Verne Lundquist noted the game had been “a physical battle of attrition” so far, while Raftery called it a “battle royale.” Ewing missed on a pull-up 2 before a turnover by Romain Sato on the other end. The Blue Devils had now held Xavier without a field goal for the previous 4:30. With just over 3 minutes remaining, Duhon drove the middle and scooped up a shot off the glass. It missed but Luol Deng tipped the rebound before controlling the ball as he began to fall out of bounds. Deng fired a pass to an open Redick at the top of the key. JJ drilled it and earned an “onions” from Bill Raftery - he is a national treasure.
2nd Half 2:50 - Duke 59 Xavier 56
Xavier was patient on offense, setting ball screens and allowing their veteran guards to wait for the right opening. Duke was switching everything out front and Dedrick Finn was forced to drive the right lane as the shot clock wound down. Shelden Williams blocked his attempt and kept the ball alive before Duhon drove into the paint again. He missed but, guess who - Deng was there to tip it home. Xavier brought the ball across half court and called timeout.
2nd Half 1:46 - Duke 61 Xavier 56
The 5-point margin was Duke’s largest, matching Xavier’s 5-point lead from earlier in the contest. In other words, it was a two-possession game the entire afternoon, epitomizing the definition of a tight ballgame. Xavier operated quickly as Doellman drove middle and lofted a shot over Deng and Williams.
2nd Half 1:26 - Duke 61 Xavier 58
Duke elected to run offense rather than the clock, and JJ Redick was fouled curling into the middle of the lane as Sato trailed him off the screen. One of the best free throw shooters in ACC history hit them both.
2nd Half 1:11 - Duke 63 Xavier 58
Daniel Ewing almost stole the inbounds pass before Romain Sato was fouled driving to the basket. Sato hit 1 of 2, failing to make it a one-possession game.
2nd Half 0:55 - Duke 63 Xavier 59
The clock and foul shooting would now be the most important factors remaining for Duke. Xavier elected not to foul and the Blue Devils were able run the shot clock down to 5 seconds before Chris Duhon was tripped by Justin Cage on his drive to the hoop. Duhon sank both free throws.
2nd Half 0:24 - Duke 65 Xavier 59
Xavier missed two attempts from 3 but was able to keep the ball alive both times, with Cage scoring on the second offensive rebound.
2nd Half 0:07 - Duke 65 Xavier 61
The Musketeers were forced to foul immediately, sending Luol Deng to the line - he made the first but missed the second. Lionel Chalmers sprinted up the floor and hit a long 2. Deng tipped the inbounds pass high in the air as the Blue Devils celebrated Coach K’s 10th trip to the Final Four.
Final Score - Duke 66 Xavier 63
From the Box Score
Lionel Chalmers finished with 17 points but Duhon was able to limit him to just 4 in the second half. Romain Sato fought through a tough shooting night to post 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Anthony Myles added 16 and 10. Luol Deng led the way for Duke with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Shelden Williams posted 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Redick and Ewing had 13 points apiece and Chris Duhon’s impact cannot solely be measured by his 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Postgame Notes
Regarding Chris Duhon’s defense, Coach K remarked "Whatever player was hot, I put Duhon on, and he became not hot. The kid's a winner, and I was glad to be able to ride his bus." Duhon currently remains the last Blue Devil to play in two Final Fours. Luol Deng was selected 7th overall in the 2004 NBA Draft and was just the second Duke freshman to ever declare. Luol would go on to become a 2-time NBA All-Star. JJ Redick and Shelden Williams would complete their collegiate careers as All-Americans and both would have their jerseys raised into the rafters at Cameron.
Trivia Answer
UNC (1999), Maryland (2000), UNC (2001), NC State (2002), NC State (2003), Georgia Tech (2005), Boston College (2006)
Thanks for reading, Go Duke!
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