The story of Duke's season so far has revolved around their star recruits but it was an upperclassmen who stole the show as the Blue Devils beat Auburn on Tuesday.
Marques Bolden finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven blocks as Duke won a close-fought encounter 78-72 to book their place in the Maui Invitational final. Bolden's seven rejections equaled the tournament's single-game record and were the most by a Duke player since Shelden Williams in 2006.
Marques Bolden had 7 blocks in Duke's 78-72 win over Auburn, the most by a Duke player since Shelden Williams in 2006. He had 6 blocks in his first 4 games of the season combined. pic.twitter.com/oDRB2QbC4q
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 21, 2018
Even more remarkably, Bolden had accumulated only six blocks in the first four games of the season combined.
Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and RJ Barrett have hogged all the headlines so far this season as Duke's offense has steamrolled opponents. The trio was again instrumental against Auburn, with Williamson scoring 13 points and adding nine rebounds, while Reddish and Barrett scored 18 points each.
However, Bolden's performance on Tuesday night forced pundits to sit up and take notice.
Marques Bolden. Finally.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 21, 2018
This is the Marques Bolden that Duke battled Kentucky and Kansas to land.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 21, 2018
Marques Bolden... this is who we were waiting for... this is impressive
— Zion O | #SI6HTS (@DukeNBA) November 21, 2018
This is the Marques Bolden that Duke needs to win a national title. Finally looked like a guy who could all the dirty work. Blue Devils will play for a Maui title on Wednesday.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 21, 2018
Have to tip your cap to Marques Bolden. Former top-20 recruit, McDs All-American, Hoop Summit participant who has had a lot of ups and downs throughout his Duke career. Stayed ready and had a massive impact tonight: 11 PTS, 9 REBS and 7 BLKS.
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) November 21, 2018
Considered a top-20 player coming out of high school, the 20-year-old was hampered by injuries in his freshman season and had to bide his time behind Wendell Carter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III the following year.
However, he now looks ready to fulfil his potential and is finally starting to look like the player Duke battled Kentucky and Kansas to land.
While Williamson, Reddish and Barrett give the Blue Devils' offense the edge over their rivals, the kind of defensive effort Bolden put in could be crucial for a team seeking a first national title since 2015.
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski certainly appreciated his team's hard-nosed approach, which kept Auburn to 4-of-20 shooting in the early stages of the game.
"Big time game. Both teams played so hard," he was quoted as saying by ESPN. "That was a heck of a win for us. To play this level of game at this time of the year is amazing for us."
Duke has now won all its five games so far this season and will face Gonzaga in the Maui Invitational final on Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The Blue Devils have won the tournament a record five times but their last triumph came seven years ago when they beat Kansas in the final.
Like Duke, which is ranked number one in the Associated Press poll of college basketball teams, third-ranked Gonzaga has won each of its five games so far this season.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more
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