In every Duke game, it seems there's a chorus of complaints about officiating, especially when the Blue Devils come out on top. Their recent 23-point victory over TCU in the NCAA Tournament was no exception. But let's break down what really happened on the court.
Duke's win was powered by a suffocating defense, the return of Patrick Ngongba, and a standout performance from National Player of the Year contender Cameron Boozer in the second half. These elements were clear to anyone watching the game, except perhaps for TCU's head coach, Jamie Dixon, who focused on the officiating as a reason for the loss.
Dixon pointed out, "We lead the league in free-throw attempts. Didn't happen today," highlighting that Duke made 20 of their 23 free throws compared to TCU's 5 of 10.
But here's the thing: Duke's physical play was evident, as they dominated the boards with a 42-25 rebounding advantage. And Boozer?
He was nearly unstoppable, forcing TCU to foul him repeatedly.
Dixon did have a point about a missed goaltending call against Duke in the second half, which visibly frustrated him and led to a technical foul. "Obviously, we know what it was," Dixon remarked, expressing his displeasure with the impact of the missed call. At that moment, Duke was ahead 59-50, and they capitalized on the momentum, closing the game with a 23-8 run to seal an 81-58 victory.
Missed calls are part of the game. Duke experienced their own frustration with a questionable flagrant foul call on Boozer in the first half. However, they moved past it, focusing on what mattered: advancing to the Sweet 16.
In his postgame comments, Dixon expressed his frustrations, yet claimed, "No excuses from our guys." It's a sentiment that seems at odds with his earlier remarks.
In the end, Duke's performance on the court spoke louder than any officiating controversy, showcasing their resilience and skill as they continue their tournament journey.