Duke’s ‘New Season’ Off to Good Start With Victory in Longshot Playoff Drive

Duke took its first baby step toward a miracle NCAA automatic bid, but no one is holding his breath after Thursday night’s 83-70 victory over North Carolina State in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament play-in game at Greensboro Coliseum.

The Blue Devils (13-17) became the first No. 9 seed to win an ACC tournament game, but not before blowing a 12-point first-half lead to the eighth-seeded Wolfpack (12-15). Cherokee Parks finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead Duke, which faces top-seeded Wake Forest in today’s quarterfinal.

“I know it’s a cliche, but this zero-zero thing is something we’ve talked an awful lot about,” said acting Coach Pete Gaudet of the Blue Devils’ ‘new season’ theory that started with the game.

To receive an NCAA invitation, Duke has to win three more games in three days.