Jeremy Roach 'proud' of Duke despite season-ending loss

Duke was hot at the end of the season and a player like Jeremy Roach felt it going into the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

However, Roach and the Blue Devils were eliminated in the Round of 32 by Tennessee. Suddenly, it was all over after a tremendous end to the season where many thought Duke could make a deep run in March Madness.

Roach was asked about the emotional swing from a 10-game winning streak to a sudden season ending.

“I mean, it hurt,” Roach said. “We’re not going to talk about last season, whatever. Obviously we wanted to make it as far as we could, but I mean, it happens. It’s March. It’s a one-game season. I’m just proud of these guys for fighting through everything that we’ve been through, injuries, losses, tough losses. And we just kept battling adversity, staying on the court, so I’m just proud of these people.”

Roach played 34 minutes in the loss to the Volunteers. He finished with 13 points, one rebound and two assists. Tyrese Proctor finished with a team-high 16 points, two rebounds and six assists.

This season (32 games), Roach finished with 13.6 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, shot 42.7% from the floor and 34.3% from three-point range.

Jon Scheyer reflects on first season as Duke head coach

“Well, one, congratulations to Tennessee,” Scheyer said. “They played an outstanding game. They’re incredibly well-coached. They’re tough. They’ve been through it before. They made some big-time plays. I’m incredibly proud of our team. We’ve had really a great season, and it’s hard to reflect on all of that right now in the moment.”

Scheyer opened up how he felt about his first team as Duke head coach. His emotions in relation to his players were evident, particularly for a guy like Roach.

“I’m hurting for these guys,” Scheyer said. “They’ve given us everything you could ask for, fought through adversity (and) stuck together when things weren’t looking as good and came into this game one of the hottest teams in the country, and we felt like we were supposed to win this game, as did they. Really felt like a Sweet 16, Elite Eight game type of game. 

“They’re really good, and credit them, they shoot almost 50 from three, and Nkamhoua has one of his best games, maybe his best game ever, and you’ve got to tip your hat to him. But really proud of our team and what we’ve done. It hurts. It stings. It’s going to be that way for a while. But really proud of our guys and these guys next to me right here.”

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