RALEIGH, N.C.

With a stunning performance, No. 1 seed Duke dispatched No. 9 Baylor with an impressive 89-66 victory, proving they have the capability to go far beyond the Sweet 16 in this NCAA Tournament.

The turning point came in the last three minutes of the first half, as Duke unleashed a 12-0 run that left Baylor utterly bewildered and scoreless during that span. This surge gave Duke a 17-point lead heading into halftime, a cushion that they maintained throughout the second half.

Graduate forward Mason Gillis, the seasoned veteran on Jon Scheyer's roster, utilized his experience to motivate his teammates during a critical moment. As the game hung in the balance, he urged them to seize the opportunity: “They can go on a run and make it a two-point game… or we can blow it open and make it a 20-point game,” recalled graduate guard Sion James. While they didn't reach a 20-point lead, the 17-point advantage proved pivotal.

Scheyer echoed this urgency in the locker room at halftime, reminding his players of their past shortcomings—most notably their 21-point lead against rival North Carolina in the ACC tournament, which they squandered. Armed with this motivation, Duke came out roaring in the second half, shooting a blistering 64.4% from the field—their best performance in NCAA Tournament history—and keeping the pressure on to ensure they maintained control of the game.

Duke's offensive efficiency was staggering, with a remarkable 1.5 points per possession (PPP)—the highest figure recorded in the NCAA Tournament since Villanova's historic win in 2018. The Blue Devils' attack was spearheaded by junior guard Tyrese Proctor, who lit up the scoreboard with a career-high 25 points, including seven three-pointers. His consistent shooting has been a revelation, as he's now hit six or more threes in three consecutive games and is shooting an incredible 63.3% from deep during this stretch.

Defensively, Duke was just as relentless. Baylor struggled to gain traction, particularly when their key player, Norchad Omier, found himself in foul trouble. The Blue Devils exploited this vulnerability ruthlessly, leading to a quick succession of points that firmly established their dominance. Notable contributions also came from freshman Cooper Flagg and the versatile Caleb Foster, who put the game out of reach with crucial plays down the stretch.

Amidst speculation about the impact of the Wilson basketballs being used this postseason, Proctor laughed off any concerns, saying, "It's coming off good for me. I haven't really had any issues." His newfound rhythm is a welcome sight for a player who struggled in the previous tournament.

The game also marked a bittersweet moment for Baylor’s Jeremy Roach, a former Blue Devil, who had his collegiate career come to an end despite his contributions off the bench.

With their sights set on another national championship, Duke is primed to face the winner of the No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 Oregon matchup in the upcoming rounds. As they board the plane to Newark this week, excitement continues to build around the possibility of Duke adding a sixth title to their storied history.

Will they fulfill their championship dreams? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: this Duke team is hungry and ready to make history!