With two of Duke's standout freshmen in foul trouble during the season's biggest game, the Blue Devils got a championship-saving boost from an unexpected source.
Hello, Grayson Allen. Welcome to the spotlight.
The fourth and often overlooked member of Duke's acclaimed freshman class scored 16 points in Monday night's NCAA championship game. This included an eight-point streak for Duke, providing a crucial energy surge that helped them recover in a game slipping away, ultimately defeating Wisconsin 68-63 for the program's fifth title.
"We were down nine points, in foul trouble, and a bit out of sync," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "And Grayson carried us."
Allen's timely surge was crucial for Duke, with star big man Jahlil Okafor and fellow freshman Justise Winslow in foul trouble. With Okafor sitting for long stretches of the second half, Allen played significant minutes in a smaller lineup for the Blue Devils (35-4).
Allen, a 6-foot-4 guard from Jacksonville, Florida, scored 10 points after halftime, shooting 5-for-8 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the foul line in 21 minutes. He showcased the same hustle seen in Saturday night's win against Michigan State in the Final Four, diving for loose balls and penetrating the paint aggressively against a veteran Badgers team.
It was an impressive breakout performance, earning Allen a spot on the five-man all-Final Four tournament team.
"Coach has been telling me to stay ready in practice, and my teammates have given me confidence," Allen said. "They've supported me all year. ... I knew I could do it because of what they've been telling me."
Wisconsin couldn't have anticipated Allen's explosion either.
Allen had played 20 minutes only twice and scored in double figures four times all season before Monday night. He was averaging just 4.0 points in 8.9 minutes per game, with much of his production coming from an 18-point performance in the season opener against Presbyterian and a 27-point outing in a rout of Wake Forest in February.
He earned a larger supporting role and more trust from Krzyzewski after Rasheed Sulaimon's dismissal in January, though he still often saw only limited minutes.
Allen's teammates, however, witnessed strong performances in practice, complete with the relentless energy and aggressive play that left him with noticeable floorburns from diving during the games in Indianapolis.
Winslow even called Allen an expletive to describe his relentless practice play. So, none of the Blue Devils in the celebratory locker room were surprised by Allen's performance Monday night.
The Blue Devils trailed 48-39 when Allen started his personal run with a 3-pointer, followed by a driving basket for a three-point play and then two free throws. This brought Duke back into the game, helping Krzyzewski become only the second coach to win five NCAA championships.
"Guys didn't want to guard him," Winslow said. "He kept getting to the basket, making big plays. It just shows what kind of person he is."
When it was over and Duke had cut down the nets again, players and coaches climbed onto the midcourt stage to watch "One Shining Moment" on the Lucas Oil Stadium video boards.
Allen stood beside Krzyzewski, the Hall of Fame coach's net-wrapped left hand gently holding his left elbow.
It was fitting, as it's hard to imagine how Duke could've won its biggest game of the season without him.
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