The number-one-seeded Duke Blue Devils blasted the ninth-seeded Baylor Bears 89-66 on Sunday for the program’s second Round of 32 victory in as many years.
“For us, to win by this margin, I think speaks to the level of killer instinct that our guys have, the competitiveness, and the connectivity,” said third-year Duke head Jon Scheyer during the team’s postgame press conference. “I’m really proud of this one. Sweet 16 sounds great. We know it’s a quick turnaround, but we’re going to enjoy this one tonight, and then get back to it.”
Freshman phenom guard Cooper Flagg posted a gaudy stat line of 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists even after getting poked in the eye during the first half of the game.
“I’m all good. My eye feels pretty good right now,” Flagg said. “Just getting downhill, getting in the paint is when good things happen all around. Whether it’s kicking out for threes or, like you said, getting fouled. So that’s definitely something we emphasize going into every game. Just getting in the paint, trying to make plays.”
After Baylor took a 24-23 lead, Duke went on a 24-6 run to close out the first half with a 47-30 advantage. That didn’t stop the Blue Devils from keeping their foot on the gas.
“It’s a position you want to be in, obviously, where you have a lead. But for us, we’ve been in that [position] enough, where we’ve had an 18-point lead against Notre Dame – with a few minutes to go – go away,” said Coach Scheyer. “You try to use the experiences we’ve had, and I’ll reference it. I’ll reference those games at halftime just to make sure we know how precious it is. I thought our guys did a good job… But overall, I thought we just did a great job weathering the storm and staying with it.”
Sweet 16 up next‼️
🍬🍭🍫🍩🍭🍫🍬🍫🍭🍩🍪🍩🍫🍩🍬🍪🕺😈 pic.twitter.com/qJymcRqlOB
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 23, 2025
The Blue Devils were also incredibly effective from beyond the arc, thanks to contributions from Junior guard Tyrese Proctor, who is 13 for 16 from three through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. He finished the game against Baylor with 25 points while going seven for eight from the three-point line.
“I think it’s just my preparation. Just behind the scenes, putting in the work and trusting myself,” Proctor said. “When I’m on the court, just playing free and just having fun out there. Just try and cherish every moment I get with these guys and just having fun.”
When discussing his relationship with Tyrese Proctor, Scheyer was overcome with emotion.
“I think it’s what I’m most proud of, or as proud as anything, with the journey Tyrese and I have been on because it’s harder to go through those journies now,” Scheyer said before becoming emotional. “I took over in April [2022], and Tyrese and I had a call May 31st to come a year early… I think we knew there’d be some rough patches reclassifying, but he had some big-time moments. He came on strong down the stretch. And he could’ve made a decision [to] even go pro after his freshman year a year early… For this to happen for Tyrese. To hit seven threes and be our key guy and all that after going through these moments. If I’m an NBA team, I’m going after him because you have to handle adversity… Still to have the relationships you can build with a guy for three years and go through a lot. Man, I’m obviously really proud of him.”
On Thursday, Duke will face the fourth-seeded Arizona Wildcats at 9:39 p.m. EST in the Sweet 16 with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line.
