Duke Basketball : – Some performances leave a lasting impact—not just on the scoreboard but on how a team asserts itself on the grand stage of college basketball. Tyrese Proctor delivered one of those performances, draining seven three-pointers and putting up 25 points to propel No. 1 seed Duke to a commanding 89-66 win over Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
For Duke, this wasn’t just a win—it was a declaration.
Proctor’s Hot Streak and Flagg’s All-Around Game
When a player catches fire in March, it’s a game-changer. Proctor, a junior, was lights-out from beyond the arc, hitting 7-of-8 three-pointers—his third consecutive game with six or more threes. And to think, this is the same player who went 0-for-10 in his first two ACC Tournament games.
Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg backed him up in style, dropping 18 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out six assists. Flagg is already proving why he’s one of the most talked-about young players in college basketball.
Duke’s offense was a masterclass in efficiency—shooting 64.4% from the field, knocking down 12 threes, and committing only six turnovers. Against a team as physical as Baylor, this was a showcase of discipline, execution, and sheer offensive brilliance.
Baylor’s Fight and Edgecombe’s Effort
Baylor didn’t go down without a fight. Freshman V.J. Edgecombe stepped up with 16 points, showing flashes of his potential. However, the Bears struggled to match Duke’s offensive precision, shooting just 36.8% from the field.
Baylor’s March Madness journey ended in the second round for the fourth straight year—a tough pill to swallow for a team that lifted the championship trophy just three years ago in 2021.
A Defining Stretch Before Halftime
Every big win has a turning point. For Duke, that moment came in the final seven and a half minutes of the first half.
Duke outscored Baylor 24-6 in that stretch, executing clean offensive sets while standing strong against Baylor’s aggressive offensive rebounding. The physicality of the game was evident—Flagg played through a swollen right eyelid, while Mason Gillis sported a noticeable red scratch on his neck.
By halftime, Duke had built a 47-30 lead, and Baylor never came closer than 13 points after that.
Beyond the Game: How These Wins Shape Players and Productivity
March Madness isn’t just about winning games—it’s about developing resilience, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure. In a way, this high-stakes tournament mirrors real-life challenges:
- Proctor’s turnaround from a cold streak to a red-hot shooter is a lesson in perseverance. Whether in sports or the workplace, setbacks are inevitable. What matters is how you bounce back.
- Flagg’s ability to impact the game beyond scoring—through rebounds, assists, and defense—illustrates the power of versatility. In any profession, being adaptable is key to long-term success.
- Duke’s offensive efficiency proves that preparation and execution go hand in hand. Just like in business or leadership, the teams that consistently perform at a high level are the ones that prioritize strategy, discipline, and teamwork.
Key Takeaways from the Game
Baylor:
✅ The Bears survived a tough opening-round game against Mississippi State, but their journey ended in the second round.
✅ Jeremy Roach’s Baylor reunion was short-lived, as his former team took control early.
✅ This marks Baylor’s fourth straight year exiting in the second round—a trend that will weigh on Coach Scott Drew as he looks to push the program back into the title conversation.
Duke:
✅ The Blue Devils turned what was once a challenging venue (Lenovo Center) into a playground, shaking off past struggles with a dominant two-game stretch.
✅ Flagg’s return from an ankle injury didn’t slow him down—his performance was a testament to his mental and physical toughness.
✅ Duke now moves on to face either Oregon or Arizona in the Sweet 16, with their sights set on the Final Four.
Looking Ahead: Can Duke Keep Rolling?
With a roster stacked with talent and momentum on their side, Duke is in prime position to push deeper into March Madness. If Proctor keeps shooting like this and Flagg continues his all-around dominance, Duke will be tough to stop.
The next challenge awaits in Newark, New Jersey, where the Blue Devils will look to keep their championship dreams alive.
So the question is: Is this the year Duke adds another banner to Cameron Indoor Stadium? Time will tell, but right now, they’re playing like a team that believes the answer is “yes.”