*****Maui Invitational Championship: Duke 87 Vs. Gonzaga 89 - Final*****

[Kace-1]

It's November, so it's not for the National Championship, but the Blue Devils and Bulldogs do get to play for the Championship of a nice island in Hawaii. This game will take place in what looks like a small high school gym, but never mind that now. It's all about what happens on the court between a pair of undefeated teams.

 

[Kace-1]

It's tiny at the Lahaina Civic Center, but it's also packed. Dan Shulman and Duke's Jay Bilas are on the call for this one.

 

[Kace-1]

DU is in their standard royal blue and GU is in white. Coach K loves this tournament as it's normally free wins early in the season.

 

[Kace-1]

This game has tipped off and we're underway.

 

[Kace-1]

This is a High Noon showdown locally.

 

[Kace-1]

Both teams are 5-0.

DU draws first blood, but GU counters with a 3.

 

[Kace-1]

GU's trying to be fancy, but they're sloppy.

 

[Kace-1]

DU's Tre Jones is bow legged, but he can hit the jump shot.

 

[Kace-1]

Both teams are threatening to turn this into a track meet.

 

[Kace-1]

1st break of the game and the Bulldogs have the 12-10 lead. Duke had the 2-0 lead to start and since then it's been GU ahead or tied.

 

[Kace-1]

DU has never lost in this tournament so that's what GU's up against today.

 

[Kace-1]

The BD's blow the dunk and GU answers with a layup.

 

[Kace-1]

19-17 GU with 12:08 to go and DU at the line.

 

[Kace-1]

GU is working the Dale Ellis Offense better than DU at the moment.

Break at 11:39 to go in the half and it's 22-18 Bulldogs.

 

[tw3301]

I've never seen anyone do play by play in a game thread by themselves before.

 

[Kace-1]

I've never seen anyone do play by play in a game thread by themselves before.

If no one else is gonna talk, I'll entertain myself.

 

[Kace-1]

Barrett is a well versed student of the John Stockton School of Basketball.

 

[mrchmadness23]

I've never seen anyone do play by play in a game thread by themselves before.

I got the game on mute and listening to OP!

 

[829305]

Go Zags.

That is all.

 

[pig1960]

Thanks opee-appreciate the updates

 

[Kace-1]

7:34 to go in the half, 31-25 Bulldogs.

 

[Kace-1]

GU just has DU's number so far. The only time they've trailed was 2-0 early on.

 

[tw3301]

What commercial is on right now?

 

[Kace-1]

The Bulldogs are just taking it to Duke. 38-29 GU with 5:17 to go in the half and timeout.

 

[tw3301]

Gonzaga is getting anything they want and playing much better than Duke right now.

 

[Kace-1]

Norvell with a sweet Run N' Gun layup for GU.

 

[Kace-1]

42-31 GU with 3:56 to go in the half. DU has not suffered this time of adversity until now.

 

[tw3301]

Gonzaga shooting over 70%, good Lord.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Duke is shook. Interesting to see how a team that has been told they can't be beat responds.

Never happy with a loss, but it would be healthy. Stop the bleeding in the first half and see what adjustments work in the second.

 

[mrchmadness23]

Gonzaga is getting anything they want and playing much better than Duke right now.

Duke can't get any stops, not showing any resistance at all on defense. And their half court offense is putrid.

 

[Kace-1]

Duke is shook. Interesting to see how a team that has been told they can't be beat responds.

Yeah, this is the ol' Mike Tyson Punch in the Mouth scenario for the BD's.

 

[Kace-1]

White for DU is already up to 2 fouls.

 

[Kace-1]

Coach K's gonna have his roster take a lap during halftime.

 

[Kace-1]

Even when Duke has the advantage for a defensive rebound, Gonzaga gets it.

 

[Kace-1]

1 minute until halftime and DU looks gassed. As talented as they are, playing 3 games in as many days seems a tall order for them. They need to get their conditioning issues taken care of between now and March.

 

[SpartanJD]

Zags look big and athletic wow

 

[Kace-1]

Jones with a 3 at the bank at the buzzer.

Halftime in Lahaina and Gonzaga has the big lead on Duke, 47-39. GU has the better conditioning between the 2.

 

[j-doolsheels]

Perkins looks poised

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

Most times, I wouldn't be. But I am happy being down 8 at the half. Zags seem to make everything while Duke can't make a basic layup. Could be a lot worse. And it gives this team a chance to win against adversity. Whether they do or not is another story.

 

[Kace-1]

Time for the 2nd Half to get going.