Tennessee advances to Sweet 16, eliminates Duke in Blue Devils’ first match with out Coach Okay

Duke’s first March Madness with out Mike Krzyzewski did not go how the Blue Devils had hoped.

The fourth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers pulled away late at hand No. 5 Duke a Round of 32 loss, 65-52, to advance to the Sweet 16.

Tennessee ahead Jonas Aidoo (0) dunks throughout the first half of a second-round NCAA Tournament sport Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.  (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Duke led by as many as six, however the Vols went on a 17-2 run to go up by 9 early within the second half. The Blue Devils responded with a 7-0 run to chop the deficit to 2.

But junior Duke guard Jeremy Roach dedicated his fourth foul with quarter-hour left within the sport, placing the Blue Devils in hassle with the Vols up 5. With Roach in foul hassle, Tennessee took benefit, regaining a nine-point lead.

The Blue Devils battled and did not permit the deficit get to double-digits for a number of minutes. But with simply over 4 minutes to go, a Vols 3-pointer gave them an 11-point lead that grew to 13 within the ultimate minute of play.

Oliver Nkamhoua led all scorers with 27 factors.

Tennessee ahead Jonas Aidoo (0) goes up for a shot in entrance of Duke heart Ryan Young throughout the first half of a second-round NCAA Tournament sport Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.  (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UPSETS TOP SEED PURDUE, BECOMING SECOND 16 SEED TO BEAT A NO. 1 IN MARCH MADNESS HISTORY

Duke was by no means capable of get the deficit again beneath 5 factors after that Tennessee run. 

The Blue Devils’ season began gradual, they usually acquired dangerously sizzling and received the ACC Tournament. But March was simply an excessive amount of for them.

Tennessee ahead Julian Phillips (2) shoots as Duke guard Jacob Grandison (13) defends throughout the first half of a second-round NCAA Tournament sport Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Vols await the winner of No. 9 Florida Atlantic and No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson, which pulled off the largest upset in March Madness historical past with its win over No. 1 Purdue.

It’s Tennessee’s first Sweet 16 journey since 2019.