Jay Bilas: Duke has played like best team in NCAA Tournament

Former Duke Blue Devil and current ESPN analyst Jay Bilas did not have his alma mater making it this far in the NCAA tournament. He was one of many people who lost faith in the Blue Devils after a mediocre performance in the ACC tournament. But Bilas is still a Blue Devil through and through and understands how the program and coach Mike Krzyzewski operate. So, on Monday, while a guess on the Dan Patrick Show, the former Blue Devil was up to the task of going over their performance in the tournament so far.

“… So, your point about growing up before our eyes, I think they probably did some growing up in practice when they got back from Brooklyn from the ACC tournament. But they’re playing, like if you were blindfolded the whole year and dropped into the postseason only, in the NCAA tournament just watched tournament games, like I would say they’ve looked the best of any team in the tournament. Like nobody’s played consistently as well as they have through the four games that have been played, said Bilas.

Duke has been better than advertised this season, aside from a few blemishes this year. Led by Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore, who average 17.1 and 13.5 points per game, respectively, the 2021-22 Duke Blue Devils have amassed a 32-6 record and exceeded expectations, despite amounting pressure. Much of that pressure, of course, is tied to the fact that this will be Coach K’s final season at Duke, ending a historic 42-year run — and he believes that this team is special because of their ability to fight through adversity.

Bilas on Dukes’ historic Final Four matchup

Although the Blue Devils have played excellent basketball up to this point, their biggest test of the season comes in the form of their biggest rival, the North Carolina Tar Heels. Duke will face off against North Carolina in the Final Four for the first-ever meeting between the two schools in the NCAA tournament. The Tar Heels have already stolen some of the Blue Devils’ joy this season after they beat them on their homecourt for senior night and, most importantly, Krzyzewski’s I know home game of his career.

“ Now that doesn’t mean it’s gonna carry over to next week. Honestly I can’t imagine how all the baggage of Duke Carolina playing in the semifinal and all the attention that’s going to go with that is gonna affect play. And affect the winner in the championship game, ’cause there’s one of those two teams is going to the title game.”

The rivalry between UNC and Duke is one of the most storied in all of sports, and now that will be on display in the Final Four. And when you add in the added pressure of this being Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last NCAA Tournament, there is truly a lot at stake.

Tip-off for Duke-UNC is set for approximately 8:49 p.m. ET on Saturday.