1990 Duke at NC State Men's Basketball

Reynolds Coliseum

Raleigh, NC

February 21, 1990

Duke Blue Devils at North Carolina State Wolfpack

Duke came into this game with a record of 22-4 (9-2 ACC) and ranked 3rd nationally. Their only conference losses were at North Carolina and at Virginia. The Blue Devils were on a four game winning streak at the time.

NC State came into this game with a record of 17-8 (5-5 ACC). Their five conference losses were to Georgia Tech (twice), at Duke, at Clemson, and at home to North Carolina. Their five conference wins were against at home against Clemson, Maryland, Virginia, and at Wake Forest and at North Carolina. They had played 6 games against nationally ranked opponents and lost 4 of them, which included losses to Georgia Tech (twice) and at Duke.

The first half started with NC State taking the early lead, 2-6. Duke came back to tie the game and a minute or two later take the lead on a 3-point shot to put them ahead 11-8 at the first TV timeout. Not much scoring leading to the second TV timeout but Duke held on to the lead and was up 16-15 with just under 12 minutes to play in the first half. The Wolfpack outscored the Blue Devils by three to take the lead going into the third TV timeout, 22-24. NC State's advantage didn't last for long as Duke ouscored the Wolfpack 12-2 and took the lead 34-26 with just under 4 minutes to go in the first half. NC State did slightly better in the last few minutes of the half but were still down 38-31 at halftime.

The biggest story of the game up to this point might be that Rodney Monroe only made 1 of 10 shots from the field.

NC State did not give up. They continued to play hard and outscored the Blue Devils by 7 leading up to the first TV timeout, when the score was 41-39. Duke's only basket in that stretch of the game was a three pointer by Bobby Hurley. Duke didn't fare much better in the next stretch. NC State continued to shoot extremely well from the field, 71% so far in the second half, unlike Duke. Between the first two TV timeouts of the half the Wolfpack outscored the Blue Devils by 8 points. The score at the second TV timeout with a little less than 12 minutes left in the half was 49-55 in the Wolfpack's favor.

Duke stepped up their play at this point and started to play a little stronger. The Blue Devils were still behind at the third TV timeout with the score 54-59. Duke continued to play strong and tied the game 66-66, at which point NC State called timeout. There was 5:41 left in the game at that point. The game was more or less even the rest of the way but NC State had the lead 71-72 when Duke called timeout with 33 seconds left in the half and possession of the basketball.

The Blue Devils tried to play for the last shot but Christian Laettner's pass to Robert Brickey with 17 seconds left was wide and went out of bounds. The Wolfpack got the ball inbounds to Rodney Monroe who was fouled. He hit two free throws to put NC State up by 3 with about 15 seconds left in the second half. NC State called timeout immediately after Monroe hit the second free throw. Duke attempted a 3-point shot but missed. Rodney Monroe grabbed the rebound and wasn't fouled until there was just 2 seconds left on the clock. Monroe his both free throws. There wasn't enough time left for Duke to get off a decent shot. NC State won the game 71-76.

Alaa Abdelnaby scored 32 for Duke which was a career high for him. Rodney Monroe finished the game with 22 points, 19 of which were scored in the second half.

This was a fun game to watch, especially the second half. It was a bit slow at times. It wasn't the sort of game where the two teams go back and forth taking the lead from one another. The Blue Devils are the team I love to hate, especially in this era.