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Monday, March 29, 2010

Duke Baylor Playing Twice Final Berths Basketball Schedule

HOUSTON (AP) -A double dose of Baylor and Duke for NCAA Final Four berths. Top-seeded Duke and third-seeded Baylor play in the men's NCAA South Regional final on Sunday. Then, on Monday night in Memphis, the Duke women and the Lady Bears square off for a spot in the women's Final Four. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -Baylor's freshmen have learned the same important lesson all young players are taught in the NCAA women's tournament: defense is key.

Duke Baylor

"In high school if you're the best player on the team, you don't have to play defense, just offense,'' freshman guard Shanay Washington said. "Coming here, with Melissa (Jones) and Lindsay (Palmer) driving past you in practice every day, you feel kind of bad. The Blue Devils, playing in the program's eighth regional semifinals, have limited their opponents in the NCAA tournament to an average 49 points, 35 percent shooting while forcing 21.3 turnovers.

Duke Baylor

In the Duke locker room after the game, Krzyzewski told his players that they are one of his favorite teams, and that they need to cherish the moment and enjoy the emotions before focusing on West Virginia, Duke's opponent in Saturday's national semifinal.

After Baylor managed to hang with Duke on the boards in the first half, the Blue Devils dominated the rebounding battle in the second half, giving themselves ample opportunities at second-chance points with offensive rebounds.

Duke Baylor

"At this time a lot of unexpected things happen. Freshmen become seniors, seniors can't become freshmen,'' Duke senior forward Joy Cheek said. "Hopefully to our advantage we as upperclassmen will play like upperclassmen.'' The Blue Devils' 23 steals in their 66-58 win over San Diego State in the regional semifinals were the second most in an NCAA tournament game, and they scored 32 points off those turnovers.

"Twenty-three steals in one game is an amazing thing to see. I'm sure that won't repeat very soon, but we have got to have that kind of tenacity and quickness to the ball different personnel you do different things, and she's extended her zones. She's pressing with the athletes she has.''


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