1985 NCAA Tournament - South Regional Final vs Duke (32-2)
The Blue Devils got off to a slow start without Valenzuela, and actually trailed at the break, 42-38. Then the threes got going, and the Blue Devils rolled to an 83-65 game. But they got next-to-nothing from their post, Carlton Sandberg and David Ware (who averaged 9.7 minutes a game this year, and played 29 in this one): 4 points on 2-9 shooting, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal.
So, Duke is going to have to rely on their deep and talented backcourt, led by the venerable Dean Davis, and Joseph Tu, if they are going to get a win. Davis hit for 23 with 6 assists, and Tu 15 points and 10 rebounds, to pace the multi-faceted guard attack. Orville Ayer added 17.
This game will have the feel of the airplanes going after King Kong.
In the first game against GW, Valenzuela went for ten points, Sandberg eight. Ayer led the way with 16. Tu and Davis were in foul trouble...but the rest of the roster picked up the slack. Everyone who played for Duke scored. Twelve players all registered points. GW was led, of course, by Jack's 25-13-11, and by Hulett's 25. Nobody else had more than five.
Surely, things are going to have to change if GW wants to pull this out. Yes, Jack and Hulett will have to lead the way. But someone, whether it be Hector, Kenny, or Armbruster will have to lead the way. They better not expect Tu or Davis to get into foul trouble again. And this team has to close Duke out. They usually peak from the final seven or eight minutes of the first half, and into the first ten minutes of the second. Then, they usually hold on.
Tonight, it's eye of the tiger.
Or be put to sleep.
But first...
Midwest Final: 4) Maryland 89, 7) Nebraska 64. Joshua Berry scored 26, and C Grant Crites added 22 and ten rebounds, as Maryland (24-9) raced out to a 53-36 advantage, and never wavered against the Cornhuskers (23-11). Tony Parker scored 12 off the bench for the Huskers, who last reached the Final Four in 1979-80. Maryland reached the national semifinal for the first time since 1977-78, when they fell in their third NCAA championship in four years. This is their 15th Final Four, amazingly. They have reached seven title tilts, winning two ('53, '62).
East Final: 3) Florida 77, 4) UTEP 69. The Gators (33-2) used five scorers in double figures, led by star forward Bruno Bui's 19, to reach the Final Four for the first time in school history. Garth Augustus scored 23 to lead UTEP on an honorable charge of the SEC champions. The Miners had a severely depleted roster, due to injuries. Michael Grossman, who was red hot in the NCAA Tournament up to this point, scored 16, but on 4-19 shooting (4-15 from three).
Ware blocks Hulett to start. Hulett fouls Davis, and Ware scores. Uh oh. Woods gets fouled by Ware, and scores, and gets the free throw. Davis hits a three...and Ware fouls Woods against. Immediately, Tu has to go to the 4. Sandberg gets a tip in, and then scores again. It's 9-3. Hulett gets a layup. It's 9-5 with 16:43 left.
Woods gets a steal, and Tu gets a foul. Then a steal. Armbruster fouls Belton, who misses both free throws. Jack's first shot is blocked. Ayer finds Tu. Tu gets his second foul. Ayer picks Hulett, and Sandberg scores. It's 13-5. Jack gets his first points on a big dunk. Hulett scores, making it 13-9. Ayer misses a three...Jack gets blocked by Francis Neighbors. Neighbors steals Woods and gets a layup. It's 15-9 with 11:29 left.
Jack finds Hulett for a bucket. Kenny gets a steal...Neighbors gets another steal and a layup. Davis gets a steal, and hits a three. It's 20-11. Woods scores. He has five. Jack has a 2-2-1 line. Not a great start. Sandberg goes one of two. Hector gets fouled shooting a three. He hits all three. Jack gets a steal, and Neighbors is called for a foul. Jack scores, and suddenly, it's 21-18. Duke turns it over again, but GW can't do anything.
Neighbors is having a solid game right now. Chris Johnson is in...and Ali ties it with a three. The crowd is going nuts. Boutwell is in. Uh oh. The JVs are in. He gets a steal! They played to a stalemate, and Jack scores as he comes back. Hulett gets a steal and a dunk. Tu scores as he comes back. Davis finds Ayer, and we're tied again, at 25-25.
Hulett gets his second foul. Under six minutes. Jack has a 6-3-2 line...it's 28-25 as Kenny hits a three. Jack gets a rare three-in-the-key call. And his first foul. Hulett hits a three off a Jack pass. Then Jack gets a steal, and he scores. It's 33-25, GW!
Ware hits two free throws...Perez is back, as Armbruster is in foul trouble. Grayson gets a board, and Perez shoots and misses. Jack with a steal, but GW can't convert. 33-27 with a minute left. Sandberg gets an illegal screen. Jack is out...Perez is fouled, and he hits both. 35-27. Hector fouls...Davis hits both free throws. Kenny scores off a pass from Woods at the buzzer!
GW leads, 37-29. Davis had 10 for Duke, who shot 42%. GW shot 44%. Duke had twelve turnovers, eight of which came on GW steals. Duke held a 20-16 rebounding edge.
Jack had just an 8-6-3 line. Hulett had 11. Sandberg scores to open things up. He scores again...he has 11. Kenny scores. Davis scores on a Tu pass. Ayer gets a steal, and a layup. It's 39-37, and GW calls time. Duke is pressing the issue here. Woods gets a travel call. Kenny with a steal, but he misses a three. GW holding to a two-point lead here with three minutes gone.
Davis hits a three. Jack misses, and Ayer hits another three. It's 43-39, and GW calls another timeout. Jack finally scores, cutting it back to two. Tu scores. Kenny with a steal...but they can't do anything right at the moment. Duke is dominant. Sandberg scores again. Jack finds Armbruster. Neighbors scores. Woods scores off a Jack pass. Jack has a 10-8-5 line. It's 49-48 after Hector hits a three off a Hulett pass. Tu gets in a tip, and it's 51-48 with 12:44 to go.
Davis gets a steal, but Duke can't convert. Ware gets his third foul, and Armbruster goes one of two. Neighbors scores. 53-49. Sandberg scores again; he has 15. Ware gets his fourth. Jack scores inside, as GW looks to attack. Armbruster fouls Sandberg, who hits both. Kenny scores off a Jack pass. 57-53, Duke. Jack with a steal, and Grayson scores. Down to two. Sandberg scores AGAIN. Dude is having the game of his life.
Neighbors gets a steal and a dunk. Davis gets a steal, and Neighbors with another layup. It's 63-55. Hulett misses. Grayson gets a steal, and Jack finds Hulett. 6:55 left...Grayson fouls Tu, who hits both. 65-57, and Jack charges into Belton. Time is running out.
Perez scores. Back down to six. Echevarria gets a big block, and Jack finds Ali. Ayer hits a three to deflate GW. Echevarria scores. The JVs are in again. 69-63. Davis with a steal...Woods fouls Belton. He's the guy to foul. He misses both, but Armbruster turns it over. 4:35 left. Tu with a steal, Duke with a 71-63 lead after his dunk. Hector follows. No Jack still.
GW has a costly shot-clock violation. Kenny with a steal, and Jack charges into Ware, who has four fouls. Wow. Guts. Hector gets a dunk...it's down to four. Jack gets his fourth foul. Tu hits both free throws. Davis gets a BIG steal, and a layup. Jack hits a three. And Jack fouls out. He's gone, and soon, his collegiate career is likely over.
Armbruster gets the rebound on the missed free throw, but GW cannot convert. It's 77-70. Ali hits a three. Down to four. Hector fouls Ayer. He hits both.
Hulett hits a three. Down to three. And Davis turns it over! But Woods misses. Hector with a steal! Armbruster HITS THE THREE! TIE GAME! TIME GAME!
ARMBRUSTER WITH A STEAL, but Tu gets the block! It gets taken out to Armbruster, who fakes, and gets it to Ali...
...who shoots as time expires...
....
...
..
.
HE HITS IT! OH MY GOD PORTER ALI IS THE HERO! HE HITS A THREE AT THE BUZZER! GEORGE WASHINGTON STUNS DUKE WITH NO TIME LEFT! HOLY COW!
(That was all reaction. I can't believe what I just watched. I just....I don't believe it. This is a damn movie. Seriously. I don't believe this.)
Code:
George Washington 82, Duke 79
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George Washington (32-1, 0-0):
Player Pos Min Fgm-a Ftm-a Off Reb Ast PF Pts
Brian Armbruster C 29 2-6 1-2 0 6 2 4 6
Bruce Woods PF 34 3-5 1-3 2 5 1 1 7
Jack Dawkins SF 34 7-17 0-0 3 12 9 5 15
Kenneth Frazier SG 29 4-6 0-0 1 3 0 2 9
Richie Hulett PG 36 7-15 0-0 1 4 6 2 16
Hector Patterson PG 14 3-5 3-3 1 1 2 2 10
Glenn Grayson C 10 1-2 0-0 1 2 0 2 2
Denny Perez C 6 1-3 2-2 1 1 0 0 4
Porter Ali SF 5 4-7 0-0 1 1 0 0 11
F. Boutwell SG 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0
David Echevarria PF 2 1-2 0-0 1 1 0 1 2
Turnovers: 21 (B.Armbruster 2, B.Woods 1, J.Dawkins 6,
K.Frazier 1, R.Hulett 10, H.Patterson 1)
Blocked Shots: 4 (J.Dawkins 1, K.Frazier 1, G.Grayson
1, D.Echevarria 1)
Steals: 15 (B.Armbruster 1, B.Woods 2, J.Dawkins 4,
K.Frazier 4, R.Hulett 1, H.Patterson 1, G.Grayson 1,
F.Boutwell 1)
3P FGs: 9-20 (B.Armbruster 1-2, J.Dawkins 1-5,
K.Frazier 1-3, R.Hulett 2-4, H.Patterson 1-2, P.Ali
3-4)
Duke (32-3, 11-1):
Player Pos Min Fgm-a Ftm-a Off Reb Ast PF Pts
Carlton Sandberg C 31 8-10 3-4 2 6 1 2 19
David Ware PF 20 1-1 2-2 0 1 0 4 4
Joseph Tu SF 30 5-9 5-7 2 10 3 2 15
Dean Davis SG 33 6-15 4-4 1 6 4 3 19
Orville Ayer PG 34 4-10 2-2 1 2 8 0 12
C. Johnson SG 13 0-2 0-0 1 3 0 0 0
Francis Neighbors SF 21 5-7 0-0 1 1 2 2 10
Kelly Willams SF 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 1 0 0
Clement Belton PF 13 0-2 0-4 0 4 0 0 0
Brad Johnson C 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0
Turnovers: 20 (C.Sandberg 6, J.Tu 3, D.Davis 2, O.Ayer
2, C.Johnson 4, F.Neighbors 2, C.Belton 1)
Blocked Shots: 5 (D.Ware 1, J.Tu 2, F.Neighbors 1,
C.Belton 1)
Steals: 12 (J.Tu 2, D.Davis 5, O.Ayer 2, F.Neighbors 3)
3P FGs: 5-17 (D.Davis 3-10, O.Ayer 2-6, C.Johnson 0-1)
Player of Game: SF Jack Dawkins (GW)
The play-by-play, going from Jack's three and subsequent foul-out.
Code:
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:59 Duke 75, George Washington 67
George Washington ball: Defense: Man
Bruce Woods inbounds the ball to Hector Patterson.
Hector Patterson brings the ball over the timeline.
Hector Patterson passes the ball to Jack Dawkins (Right baseline).
Jack Dawkins passes the ball to Richie Hulett (Right wing).
Richie Hulett passes the ball to Jack Dawkins (Top of the key).
Jack Dawkins shoots a three-pointer from the top of the key.
It's Good.
Richie Hulett gets the assist.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:47 Duke 75, George Washington 70
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Carlton Sandberg inbounds the ball to Joseph Tu.
George Washington comes out in a full court press.
Jack Dawkins commits the foul.
Jack Dawkins has fouled out of the game.
Team Fouls - Duke: 5, George Washington: 9
George Washington is in the penalty.
Joseph Tu will go to the line for one plus the penalty.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:46 Duke 75, George Washington 70
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Joseph Tu is at the free throw line.
The free throw is no good.
Brian Armbruster (George Washington) gets the rebound.
Brian Armbruster now has 6 rebounds for the game.
Brian Armbruster is tied up by Joseph Tu
The ref signals a held ball situation.
The possession arrow gives the ball to George Washington
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:44 Duke 75, George Washington 70
George Washington ball: Defense: Man
Bruce Woods inbounds the ball to Hector Patterson
Hector Patterson shoots from the top of the key.
No good.
Dean Davis (Duke) gets the rebound.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:38 Duke 75, George Washington 70
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Kenneth Frazier commits the foul.
Team Fouls - Duke: 5, George Washington: 10
George Washington is in the penalty.
Dean Davis will shoot two free throws.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:35 Duke 75, George Washington 70
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Dean Davis is at the free throw line.
The first free throw is good.
The second free throw is good.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:35 Duke 77, George Washington 70
George Washington ball: Defense: Man
Porter Ali inbounds the ball to Richie Hulett.
Duke comes out in a full court press.
Richie Hulett passes the ball to Bruce Woods (Top of the key).
Bruce Woods passes the ball to Hector Patterson (Right corner).
Hector Patterson passes the ball to Richie Hulett (Right wing).
Richie Hulett passes the ball to Porter Ali (Top of the key).
Porter Ali shoots a three-pointer from the top of the key.
It's Good.
Richie Hulett gets the assist.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:21 Duke 77, George Washington 73
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Dean Davis inbounds the ball to Orville Ayer.
Hector Patterson commits the foul.
Team Fouls - Duke: 5, George Washington: 11
George Washington is in the penalty.
Orville Ayer will shoot two free throws.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:18 Duke 77, George Washington 73
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Orville Ayer is at the free throw line.
The first free throw is good.
The second free throw is good.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:18 Duke 79, George Washington 73
George Washington ball: Defense: Man
Kenneth Frazier inbounds the ball to Hector Patterson.
Duke comes out in a full court press.
Hector Patterson passes the ball to Richie Hulett (Left wing).
Richie Hulett shoots a three-pointer from the left wing.
It's Good.
Hector Patterson gets the assist.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:14 Duke 79, George Washington 76
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Orville Ayer inbounds the ball to Joseph Tu.
George Washington comes out in a full court press.
Joseph Tu passes the ball to Dean Davis (Top of the key).
Dean Davis throws the ball into the stands.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 1:06 Duke 79, George Washington 76
George Washington ball: Defense: Man
Kenneth Frazier inbounds the ball to Richie Hulett.
Richie Hulett passes the ball to Bruce Woods (Top of the key).
Bruce Woods shoots from the top of the key.
No good.
Joseph Tu (Duke) gets the rebound.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 0:53 Duke 79, George Washington 76
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Joseph Tu passes the ball to Orville Ayer (Top of the key).
Orville Ayer passes the ball to Carlton Sandberg (Right corner).
Carlton Sandberg passes the ball to Joseph Tu (FT Line).
Joseph Tu passes the ball to Orville Ayer (Right wing).
Orville Ayer is tied up by Hector Patterson
The ref signals a held ball situation.
The possession arrow gives the ball to Duke
2nd Half Time Remaining: 0:42 Duke 79, George Washington 76
Duke ball: Defense: Man
David Ware inbounds the ball to Orville Ayer
Orville Ayer attempts to drive but Hector Patterson steals the ball.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 0:38 Duke 79, George Washington 76
George Washington ball: Defense: Man
Hector Patterson passes the ball to Brian Armbruster (Top of the key).
Brian Armbruster shoots a three-pointer from the top of the key.
It's Good.
Hector Patterson gets the assist.
Hector Patterson now has two assists for the game.
Brian Armbruster now has 6 points for the game.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 0:34 Duke 79, George Washington 79
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Duke calls a timeout.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 0:34 Duke 79, George Washington 79
Duke ball: Defense: Man
Carlton Sandberg inbounds the ball to Orville Ayer
Orville Ayer passes the ball to Carlton Sandberg (Left baseline).
Carlton Sandberg drives to the left corner.
Carlton Sandberg is trapped in the corner.
Brian Armbruster gets the steal.
2nd Half Time Remaining: 0:25 Duke 79, George Washington 79
George Washington ball: Defense: Man
George Washington gets a 3-on-2 break.
Brian Armbruster keeps the ball.
Brian Armbruster goes for a dunk.
The shot is blocked by Joseph Tu.
Hector Patterson (George Washington) gets the rebound.
Hector Patterson passes the ball to Richie Hulett (Right wing).
Richie Hulett passes the ball to Brian Armbruster (Left corner).
Brian Armbruster passes the ball to Porter Ali (Top of the key).
Porter Ali shoots a three-pointer from the top of the key.
It's Good.
Brian Armbruster gets the assist.
Porter Ali now has 11 points for the game.
Final Score - George Washington 82, Duke 79
Player of the Game: SF Jack Dawkins - George Washington
George Washington, the Impossible Team, is going to defend their crown at the Final Four.
1985 NCAA Final Four
George Washington (32-1) vs Rice (33-2)
Maryland (24-9) vs Florida (33-2)
Wow. Wow. Wow.