After helping Duke rally from a four-point deficit at halftime, Jeremy Roach burst toward the rim in the final minutes of the Sweet 16 game against Texas Tech, only to be grabbed in midair by the Red Raiders. Roach stood his ground as players came together. As the officials stepped in between the teams, Moore clapped his hands and yelled, "Yeah!"
The moment was led by Roach and it was a message.
The sophomore point guard said after Duke won 78- 73 on March 24 that it was a big thing. I didn't think anyone would want us to win this game. They were going to out-tough us because everybody said we were too young. We wanted to show that we are here.
Roach's crucial second-half rally in the Sweet 16 win -- 13 of his 15 points, eight of which came in the final 10:07 -- capped a win over college basketball's top defense and solidified Duke's title intentions. He could be a clutch performer and an important part of a lineup that includes projected lottery picks Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams,Trevor Keels, and Moore Jr. The most important moment of Mike Krzyzewski's final season was when he picked Roach to lead the team.
Duke has a chance to end Coach K's career with a national championship. It will be the first meeting between the two longstanding rivals in NCAA tournament history and the chance for redemption will be on offer. Roach knows what that feels like.
He said that he has had ups and downs throughout his time at Duke. Staying focused on the work. Don't get too high on your good days, don't get too down on your bad days.
The turbulence of the past two months, when Roach lost his starting role in early February, is a far cry from his star turn in the NCAA tournament. He had been bumped to reserve before.
Jeremy Roach helped seal it for Duke with a 3-pointer after Paolo Banchero hit the go-ahead bucket.
He had five stars next to his name in high school, just like his peers. In the last month of the season, he was benched by Krzyzewski after a cold stretch and the emergence of Keels. He was benched for the first time in January, after finishing 3-for-8 in Duke's 2-point loss to Miami.
Duke assistant Jon Scheyer said that the team&s new starting lineup gave them great size.
The switch left Roach unsure of his role and it showed on the court. Glenn Farello, who had coached Roach at St. Paul VI, didn't recognize him when he went to watch Duke play Florida State.
Where was the high school junior who overcame an injury to become a five-star recruit? The young man who won two gold medals with the USA Basketball youth squad was nowhere to be found. Where was the relentless player who had once led his high school team to a 130-128 victory in a seven-overtime affair after it was down by 15 points with five minutes to play in regulation?
Duke advanced to the Elite Eight with a 7-1 run led by Paolo Banchero and Jeremy Roach.
Farello said that Jeremy is a fierce competitor and he always tries to prove himself. I think he needs one of those pep talks and a reminder of what he has gone through.
Roach was helped by that conversation with Farello. His parents helped too. He shares a special bond with his siblings, who stay connected through daily conversations and text messages.
He said those two kept him grounded. We spend a lot of time on the phone, a couple hours a day. I like those two. I would not be here without them. They gave me the confidence to stay committed to the work, stay consistent and told me not to worry about what anyone else is saying.
Mark Williams has been watching Roach navigate the changes all season. They would talk and listen to music in their apartment while playingFortnite.
He has made a lot of huge plays down the stretch, whether it is finishes, stops or making the right pass, according to Williams.
After Duke's Sweet 16 victory, Banchero said that they were 100% confident in Roach.
The late-season impact of Roach is tangible. He is playing for a team that is ranked first in adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom. Duke has averaged 114 points per 100 possessions with Roach on the floor. In the game, the Blue Dukes have made 61% of their shots inside the arc and 40% of their 3-point attempts.
After the Sweet 16 game, Krzyzewski said that the resolve of Jeremy Roach was incredible.
You can watch every Men's NCAA Tournament game live. March Madness is live.
Roach was the catalyst in San Francisco. He was boosted by a fistbump from Curry before the Texas Tech win. His teammates followed him wherever he went, on and off the court.
As Moore, Keels and Williams walked next to him, Roach held up his phone and pointed to someone on the screen. It was clear that the joy Roach had fought to regain had returned.
Farello told Roach that he looked like the player he had coached in high school. Farello had a conversation with Krzyzewski on the trip to the indoor stadium.
Farello said that he appreciated Coach K still believing in him.
Duke has been carried all the way to New Orleans by that faith.
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