The Battle For Tobacco Road Explained

(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)Why Duke Won:1) The Blue Devils refused to quit when they had multiple opportunities to do so.2) They hit three key three pointers down the stretch and outscored Carolina 42-3 from behind the arc.3) They were a little lucky – Zeller’s tip, Kelly’s longrebound, Curry’s uncalled travel.Why North Carolina Lost:1) Flawed end-game strategy or execution. As we weren’t in thehuddle, we don’t know which.2) Atypical bad plays by good players – Kendall Marshall’s rare turnover,Harrison Barnes’ needless offensive foul, Zeller’s missed free throws.3) Key defensive error - On the switch prior to the final shot, Zeller (and we aren’tpicking on him), should have smothered Rivers and made him drive to the basketwhere Henson and Co. would be waiting. A made two-pointer would have been discouraging (to force overtime), but athree-pointer amounted to a devastating North Carolina loss.4) They were a little unlucky. (See #3 above)What It All Means:1) Who cares, it’s early F...