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Mike Krzyzewski

Duke's Grayson Allen makes statement on national title stage

Eric Prisbell
USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) puts up a shot over Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) during the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

INDIANAPOLIS—Even if all three of Duke's stellar freshmen leave for the NBA draft this spring — a distinct possibility — the Blue Devils might be in good hands next season because of the unlikely performance of another freshman on the sport's largest stage.

Grayson Allen, a 19-year-old who averaged all of four points per game this season, erupted for his first double-figure scoring game since March 12. His 16 points, many coming during a key second-half stretch, helped Duke beat Wisconsin 68-63 to earn coach Mike Krzyzewski his fifth national title.

"We were kind of dead in the water," Krzyzewski said. "We were nine points down and Grayson just put us on his back."

Allen's performance came when Duke's other three freshmen — Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow — were each authoring somewhat uneven performances as the Badgers maintained a small lead. Jones (23 points) did make several critical shots late in the game as well.

But during one second-half stretch, as Duke tried to rally from a nine-point deficit, the Blue Devils kept running plays for — of all people — Allen. Even with three potential lottery picks on the court, it was Allen who kept the Blue Devils from falling too far behind.

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With 5:28 to play, Allen drove, rose, hung in the air and converted a difficult layup to give Duke a brief two-point advantage.

Okafor has been Duke's best player throughout the season. Winslow throughout the NCAA tournament has been arguably Duke's most important player. And Jones has exhibited consistent poise and composure well beyond his years.

But Allen's offensive explosion was badly needed because Okafor and Winslow battled foul trouble and varying degrees of shooting struggles.

Okafor missed multiple shots around the basket. And his attempts to defend Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky inside became a consistent challenge for Okafor, who had improved his defense through the season.

Less than four minutes into the second half, Kaminsky spun on Okafor, his elbow connecting near Okafor's chest. Okafor was called for his third foul, but Krzyzewski kept him in the game. With a little more than nine minutes remaining, Okafor was called for his fourth foul while trying to stop Kaminsky from maneuvering to the basket.

Winslow has been dominant offensively at times in the NCAA tournament. He showed flashes of that Monday night, including when he backed in on Bronson Koenig, tossed in a layup and drew a foul in the first minute of the second half.

Soon after, Winslow couldn't handle Sam Dekker, who spun his way toward the basket. In their first meeting Dec. 3, Dekker was nursing an ankle injury and scored just five points.

As for Jones, he was Duke's primary catalyst in its 10-point win against Wisconsin during the regular season. He had his usual array of clutch baskets on Monday night as well. He plays his best in the most pressurized situations.

But in the end, the freshman who garnered the most attention Monday night isn't one of the freshmen who have to make decisions about the draft anytime soon. For Duke fans already eyeing next season, their hope is that it wasn't Allen's one shining moment.

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