We're running a tournament to find out who is the best ACC Team of all-time. Read more about it here.
Today's final 4 matchup features the 1 seed Duke Blue Devils 1991-92 against the 13 seed Duke Blue Devils 1998-99.
Duke 98-99 Path
- Duke 98-99 defeats Maryland 00-01 3-1
- Duke 98-99 defeats UNC 92-93 3-0
- Duke 98-99 defeats UNC 80-81 3-2
Duke 91-92 Path
Game 1
Duke 91-92: 90
Duke 98-99: 73
Duke 91-92 leads the series 1-0
Notes: Duke 91-92 had six players in double-figures led by 20 points from Thomas Hill and 16 points from Bobby Hurley. The difference for Duke 91-92 was forcing 13 turnovers which turned into multiple dunks from Thomas and Grant Hill. Christian Laettner, long known for his clutch tournament play, scored just 11 points and added 8 rebounds and 3 steals on 3-8 shooting, but Duke 91-92 won game one nonetheless. Trajan Langdon led Duke 98-99 with 21 points, while Elton Brand added 15 points in the loss.
Game 2
Duke 91-92: 85
Duke 98-99: 74
Duke 91-92 leads the series 2-0
Notes: Christian Laettner bounced back with 20 points on 6-9 shooting and 8-9 from the free throw line to lead Duke 91-92 to a 2-0 series lead. Thomas Hill (18 pts), Bobby Hurley (15 pts), and Antonio Lang (14 pts, 7 rebs) all added double-figures in the game two win. Duke 91-92 shot 62% from the floor and 93% from the free throw line and held Duke 98-99 to 46% shooting. Duke 98-99 struggled mightily from the free throw line making 65% of the incredible 49 free throw attempts. Elton Brand led Duke 98-99 with 19 points while Trajan Langdon was the only other player in double-figures with 17 points.
Game 3
Duke 98-99: 87
Duke 91-92: 75
Duke 91-92 leads the series 2-1
Notes: Corey Maggette came off the bench to score 16 points to lead a Duke 98-99 attack that put six players in double-figures. Trajan Langdon scored 15 points on 7-12 shooting and Chris Carrawell added a well rounded 13 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in the game three win. Duke 98-99 forced 13 turnovers and had 9 steals that were turned into many easy layups. The difference in game three was a press that attempted to keep the ball out of Bobby Hurley's hands. Duke 91-92 was led by 16 points and 8 rebounds from Christian Laettner, while Grant Hill and Thomas Hill added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Game 4
Duke 98-99: 90
Duke 91-92: 84
The series is tied 2-2
Notes: Elton Brand kept the series alive with a 3 point play in the final minute which gave Duke 98-99 a 5 point lead and led to the game four win. Chris Carrawell scored 21 points and added 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Langdon added 14 points and Brand added 13 points and 8 rebounds. William Avery was particularly impressive finishing with 10 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in the win. Duke 91-92 was led by 22 points from Grant Hill, while Brian Davis added 17 points and Christian Laettner had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Game 5
Duke 98-99: 82
Duke 91-92: 76
Duke 98-99 wins the series 3-2
Notes: After trailing two games to none, Duke 98-99 has won three straight to move on to the championship game. Trajan Langdon scored 20 points to lead Duke 98-99 to the game five win. Chris Carrawell finished with 16 points and 3 blocks and Elton Brand finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Duke 98-99's hot shooting from the 3 point arc may have been the difference in this one as the Blue Devils shot 54% from three point range. Christian Laettner's 18 points and 12 rebounds led Duke 91-92, but the perimeter defense and 13 turnovers were too much to overcome. The 13 seed Duke 98-99 team will now move on to the championship game to face the winner of #2 UNC 08-09 and #3 UNC 81-82.
Look for our next final 4 matchup between #2 UNC 08-09 and #3 UNC 81-82 around Noon ET.