Duke defeated Houston 54-51, advancing to the Elite Eight to face conference rival NC State. This win is significant for Duke’s program under the coaching of Jon Scheyer.
After a year away, Duke finds their way back into the Elite 8 👀#MarchMadness @DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/8T76xunBB4
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2024
Although the team has had success under Scheyer, it had not met the high expectations set by their top recruiting class.
Duke’s victory over Houston, a strong team from the Big 12, changes that narrative to some extent. However, there are still skeptics who question Duke’s performance.
Y’all hate on Scheyer and forget that the dude took over right after the most depressing Duke loss ever. He’s been rebuilding the program, it’s just the expectations are always so high cause it’s Duke
— b (@bbogs24) March 30, 2024
The game took a turn when Houston’s Jamal Shead suffered a severe ankle sprain and could not return. Without Shead, Duke had more offensive opportunities and utilized the high skill level of its NBA prospects.
(4) DUKE IS MOVING ON TO THE ELITE 8 😤
The Blue Devils defeat (1) Houston 54-51 in a heavyweight matchup to advance 💪 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/tcONjjnBpD
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2024
Kyle Filipowski and Jeremy Roach stepped up and led Duke to victory. Houston made a late comeback, but Duke’s defense held steady, securing the win.
Duke’s next opponent, NC State, is a familiar rival. Duke previously defeated NC State but lost to them in the ACC tournament.
NC State is making its first Final Four appearance since 1983, while Duke has been to the Final Four 13 times and has won five national titles since then.
Fans reacted as follows.
Houston deserves better.
— Madison Mallards (@MadisonMallards) March 30, 2024
North Carolina is not going to be happy knowing that either NCState or Duke will be going to The Final Four.
— Jackson Johnson (@Jackson09960335) March 30, 2024
Duke and NC State seeing each other pull up to the arena Sunday night pic.twitter.com/s8rDhBoaXS
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 30, 2024
The Blue Devils are back and ready to make some noise.
— Rimsha Ghaffar (@RimshaGhafar) March 30, 2024
No one should make excuses for Houston. FSU won with a second and third string QB before getting screwed by a committee. A dominant team will overcome obstacles on a field or court.
— Ted Clubber Lang (@ivanclubberdra1) March 30, 2024
duke luckiest team alive lmao only wins cuz shead gets hurt 10 minutes into the game lol
— dallas 🤠 (@evanisntwhite5) March 30, 2024
I’m kinda surprised they didn’t have a Fallout after Coach K left like these others schools have had after a prominent coach has left.
— Marvin Harrison Jr’s greatest advocate (@Yaboi07035155) March 30, 2024
Poor Duke fans, that was a long wait but they stayed strong..now they are back in the Elite 8 🫡
— omar g (@Omar82006452) March 30, 2024
Ngl shead getting injured messed Houston all the way up he’s a defensive menace and can score they needed him idk
— Caleenbebee (@kamden357) March 30, 2024
People forgetting we are down Caleb Foster and Jeremy Roach is playing through an injury. Sucks ass that Shead got hurt, but duke is injured too. Elite 8 here we come.
— Kakky (@Kakky725) March 30, 2024
Wow! Incredible! First since 2022??!! That’s one heck of a drought I tell ya! How about “Another Elite Eight”? Or “___ Elite Eight since 2000”?
— Eastside Hoosier (@GSavetheplanet) March 30, 2024
💥💥Did y'all really need to put first elite 8 since 2022 like that literally was 2 years ago. That's something you do when you be like first elite 8 since 2013 like come on March madness Twitter handlers be better.
— Reggie🦅/all this to loss to KC in the Super Bowl (@Reggiej57954895) March 30, 2024
Duke’s Mickey Mouse Final Four Run
(13) Vermont
(12) JMU
(15*) Houston
(11) NC State*Seeding without Jamal Shead
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 30, 2024
Y’all hate on Scheyer and forget that the dude took over right after the most depressing Duke loss ever. He’s been rebuilding the program, it’s just the expectations are always so high cause it’s Duke
— b (@bbogs24) March 30, 2024
If Jamal Shead doesn’t get hurt, Houston wins this game. Duke is always the luckiest team.
— Mid-Major Basketball (@midmajorball) March 30, 2024
Houston fans carrying Jamal Shead back to campus pic.twitter.com/bRbtFG5CLe
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 30, 2024
