Behind 19 points from Kyle Singler, 15 from Jon Scheyer and a huge inside presence from Brian Zoubek, the Duke Blue Devils beat the Butler Bulldogs 61-59 to win the 2010 NCAA basketball championship.
Along with his 19, Singler had nine rebounds and three blocks. And with his 15, Scheyer had six rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
Also for Duke, Nolan Smith had 13 points and four assists, though he shot just 5-of-15. Playing much of the game in foul trouble, big Zoubek contributed eight points and 11 rebounds.
Butler struggled from the field, hitting just 20-of-58 shots (34.5%). Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack each scored just 12 points. And both struggled, with Hayward shooting 2-of-11, Mack 5-of-14. Hayward did grab eight rebounds and had three steals. But more offense was needed.
Barely anyone on Butler stepped up offensively. Matt Howard scored 11. And Avery Jukes came off the bench for a nice boost of 10.
Butler finished with zero blocks.
The game almost ended with an incredible half-court buzzer-beater from Butler, but the shot, which almost banked in, failed to result in a miracle victory.
The AP reports:
Butler (33-5) shaved a five-point deficit to one and had a chance to win it, when its best player, Hayward, took the ball at the top of the key, spun and worked his way to the baseline, but was forced to put up an off-balance fadeaway from 15 feet.
He missed, Zoubek got the rebound and made the first of two free throws. He missed the second one intentionally, and Duke’s title wasn’t secure until Hayward’s desperation heave from halfcourt went off glass, hit the rim and bounded out.
Basketball fans discussed the game live as it happened in this forum topic.
