If Grayson Allen weren’t so good, he wouldn’t be so detestable.
Allen — the talented junior guard who has earned his reputation as college basketball’s signature villain for his habit of reckless trips, shoves and tantrums — poured in 25 points and thrilled a raucous Tobacco Road crowd with his clutch shot-making as No. 18 Duke reminded the country why it began the season as a national title favorite.
Freshman Jayson Tatum added all 19 of his points in the second half, putting on a show at the rim and on the boards, and Luke Kennard added 20 points as Duke won its fourth straight by outlasting archrival No. 8 North Carolina 86-78 in Durham, N.C., on Thursday night.
Allen has led the way during Duke’s winning streak, scoring at least 19 points in all four games. This marked his third in a row with at least 20 points — also known as the latest example why the troublemaker is a projected first-round NBA draft pick.
“When Coach tells you to shoot the ball,” Allen said, “you shoot the ball.”
With former Duke greats Christian Laettner and J.J. Redick looking on from the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Allen hit the most important shot of the night — a 3-pointer over Jackson with about 1:15 left to put the Blue Devils up 80-75.
This renewal of one of college basketball’s fiercest rivalries lived up to its pedigree, with 17 lead changes, nine ties and neither team leading by more than eight points.
“We all grew up tonight,” Kennard said. “We were all together, we were all tough and very unselfish.”
The streak followed a stretch in which Duke (19-5, 7-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) looked uncharacteristically vulnerable, losing four of seven while dealing with the absences of key players — due to both injuries and a suspension — and Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, who took a four-week leave for back surgery. Allen was suspended indefinitely in December after tripping an Elon opponent — his third infraction of 2016 — but was reinstated by Krzyzewski on the eve of his medical hiatus.
“We’ve had more interruptions than six teams,” Krzyzewski said, without a hint of irony.
Justin Jackson scored 21 points and Joel Berry II finished with 15 for the Tar Heels (21-5, 9-3), who were just 10 of 18 from the free throw line — 8 of 15 in the second half — in dropping into a first-place tie with Florida State.
With AP
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