Mike Krzyzewski breaks down how Paolo Banchero took over game

Paolo Banchero has put together a standout freshman season for Duke – and he’s a big reason why the No. 2 seeded Blue Devils are still alive in the NCAA Tournament. After scoring 19 points in the team’s second-round win over Michigan State on Sunday, the standout forward tallied 22 points on Thursday night in their Sweet 16 victory against No. 3 seed Texas Tech – which sent Duke into the Elite Eight.

While Banchero is a consistent scorer for the Blue Devils, he’s been clutch in late-game moments throughout the NCAA Tournament – and that was certainly the case against Texas Tech.

For Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, he’s coached some standout players during his long run at the helm of the Blue Devils’ program – and Banchero is among those players. Following Duke’s win over Texas Tech, Coach K met with reporters and offered his thoughts on Banchero’s performance.

“You can watch the tape during that 60 seconds where – it’s like when great players just go,” Krzyzewski said of Banchero. “They just go, and the moment and the need take them to a place that a great player would love to be in – and that’s where he was. I feel – I’m just so happy that I was there for that moment with him because it’s his.

“It’s his, but it benefited all of us.”

Fresh off another March Madness win, Banchero and Duke are back in action Saturday against No. 4 seed Arkansas in the Elite Eight. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET from the Chase Center in San Francisco, with TBS carrying the national broadcast.

Banchero talks clutch genes, stepping up in big moments

Following Duke’s win on Thursday, Paolo Banchero joined the Blue Devils’ postgame press conference and was asked about his strong finishes to the team’s last two games – which were highlighted by his big shots down the stretch.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a new clutch gene at all,” Banchero said. “I would say all year in the biggest moments we’ve always stepped up, and there’s no bigger moment than this. I don’t know about these guys, but I’ve never played in a basketball game like that.

“When you are out there, you don’t even – it’s not like you’re even thinking. You’re just playing to win, and you’re playing extremely hard. So, when you are doing that and you are not afraid of the moment as a team, you’re going to do stuff like that.”