AT A GLANCE

* How they got there: Defeated Monmouth, 95-52, and Missouri, 94-81, in the first two rounds of the East Regional at Greensboro, N.C.; defeated UCLA, 76-63, in the regional semifinal and USC, 79-69, in the regional final at Philadelphia.

* Leading tournament scorers: Jason Williams, 28.8 points a game; Shane Battier, 23.0; Mike Dunleavy, 11.8; Nate James, 7.3.

* Leading tournament rebounders: Battier, 10.5; Dunleavy, 5; Carlos Boozer, 5; Nate James, 4.

* Key to the season: The Blue Devils have shown the ability to win with whatever style is necessary. After Boozer broke a bone in his foot against Maryland on Feb. 27, Coach Mike Krzyzewski went to a smaller, quicker lineup that had Casey Sanders at center and Chris Duhon in the backcourt. They’re 8-0 with that group. The NCAA tournament is a time for the stars to take over, and that’s what Williams and Battier have done. Five players averaged double-figure scoring during the regular season, but now it’s down to three, Williams and Battier doing most of the work. The duo has scored 207 of the team’s 344 tournament points (60%).

* Key fact: The Blue Devils aren’t reluctant to shoot three-pointers. Their 391 long shots are the most in the country and set an NCAA record. They have made 18 in a game twice. But beating the Blue Devils isn’t simply a matter of hoping they miss their threes. In their four losses, the Blue Devils shot 40%, 34%, 47% and 37% from three-point range, outshooting their opponent in each case. So it’s not advisable to try to beat them at their own game.