Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 10, 1991 TAG: 9103100102
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL BRILL EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Rodney Monroe was limited to a season-low 19 points, matching his output the last time the teams met.
N.C. State coach Les Robinson assessed the problems that shackled "Fire and Ice" on Saturday.
"A lot of players don't have their best games against Duke," Robinson said.
With its two big guns stifled, and Tom Gugliotta held to one point in the second half, State had no chance against the Blue Devils in the opening semifinal of the ACC Tournament.
Shooting 61.8 percent (34-of-55) and 21-of-25 from the free-throw line, sixth-ranked Duke continued its impressive stretch drive by cruising past the Wolfpack 93-72 to set up a championship meeting today with second-seeded North Carolina.
The Blue Devils (26-6) got another big offensive and defensive effort from point guard Bobby Hurley, not to mention a spectacular effort from reserves Bill McCaffrey, Greg Koubek and Tony Lang. That trio combined to make nine of 12 shots and all nine free throws.
Any questions whether Duke would benefit from the first-round bye were answered immediately as the Blue Devils took a 22-7 lead.
"I thought we were a little fresher," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "We attacked right away."
But because Gugliotta didn't miss a shot in a 13-point half, State (19-10) had trimmed it to 45-38 by intermission.
The Blue Devils shrugged that off, starting the last half with a 21-9 spurt, and built a 66-46 lead.
"Duke is playing just outstanding," North Carolina coach Dean Smith said. "They do seem to change when they get 18 up."
The Blue Devils led Carolina by 19 at Chapel Hill last Sunday before the Tar Heels closed to three points before losing by six.
N.C. State cut its deficit to 72-62 and got the ball on a turnover. "We had a guaranteed three from Rodney and missed communication," Robinson said. "To go from 20 down to single digits is big psychologically."
On the break, however, a Corchiani pass intended for Monroe on the wing - "He hasn't missed that shot all year," Robinson said - bounced off center Kevin Thompson's back and out of bounds.
It was one of seven turnovers by Corchiani, hounded all afternoon by Hurley (16 points, six assists). "I could see him getting frustrated," Hurley said.
Then Corchiani fouled Hurley on a 3-pointer, and the Duke guard made all three free throws to mute the comeback.
The confident Blue Devils have improved recently with their halfcourt offense, getting open shots on their way to a 17-of-23 second half.
"Our offense is running smooth," said center Christian Laettner, one of five Blue Devils in double figures with 20 points, and he added a game-high seven rebounds. "I'm not getting bumped around as much because we're moving the ball better, and I'm not getting double-teamed."
Krzyzewski, whose reputation as a March coach has burgeoned with four Final Four appearances in the past five seasons, isn't content, however.
"We can get better," he said. see microfilm for box score
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB