MOTM: Duke vs. Pittsburgh (Feb 4, 2017)

[JBDuke]

Who was Man of the Match in Duke's 72-64 win over Pitt?

[JBDuke]

Amile for me today. He was the only consistent offense in the first half today. Finished with 15, 9 boards, 3 assists, and 5 blocks. Grayson a close second with a strong closing finish in points and a good all-around day with 6 boards and 6 assists.

[oreorudy]

Grayson Allen! Huge down the stretch!

[Ultrarunner]

A tough choice today. Amile had a good all-round game, including from the line. Grayson had a better all-round game, plus end of game heroics. Grayson also had some great defensive plays that won't show up in the the stat sheet.

[DukieInBrasil]

Amile for me today. He was the only consistent offense in the first half today. Finished with 15, 9 boards, 3 assists, and 5 blocks. Grayson a close second with a strong closing finish in points and a good all-around day with 6 boards and 6 assists.

i don't think there's a bad choice between the two, but Grayson got my vote due to the end-of-game dominance he put on. Amile had the start-of-game dominance going on. I like that interplay.
It was great to see Amile playing well again. I think this team needs Grayson to play like that more though.

[jv001]

I went with Grayson for his great 2nd half. Amile was a close 2nd and Jayson played a good 2nd half as well. Tough victory. GoDuke!

[duke4ever19]

Well, I went with Grayson, but Amile was the steadying influence throughout. Tough call.

Whose going to be the wiseacre and vote for Bolden?

[Bob Green]

Grayson Allen took over the game at crunch time so he earns my MOTM vote!

Runner-up: Amile Jefferson. He was solid for 40 minutes.

Honorable Mention: Jayson Tatum hit some big shots at the start of the 2nd half and used his length of defense to create some turnovers.

[wsb3]

Did not realize Amile's stats till a smart poster posted. He is so solid & I love what he does for our team but Grayson got hot when we needed it. Huge shots..That left handed stretched out beyond what seemed human with defense in front of him was amazing..

2 games north of 500...

[-bdbd]

Really, really great to see Grayson coming out of the shell. I wonder if having K back somehow gives him more confidence, or at least like he's got some more "protection." The refs didn't seem to be going after him today.

Just waiting for the hater/media to highlight the early play where he reached back to swipe at the Pitt driver at the elbow and got whistled for the accidental trip...

[elvis14]

I had to go Grayson. We were playing them even until GA took over.

[BD80]

Coach K showed a surprising level of athleticism today.

Interesting tactic by the GOAT, enduring mid-season back surgery to better empathize what EVERY player on the squad is going through.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

All worthy choices, but today it's Grayson!

[westwall]

All VERY worthy choices, but today it's Grayson!

Grayson by a hair over Amile and Jayson.

[OldPhiKap]

Frank was very solid today too.

[devildeac]

Grayson by a 3. Or a hair (over Luke of course). Or 6 A. Or 6 boards. Or a trip. Amile did play a really good game, too, just missing a dubbel-dubbel.

[Newton_14]

I went with Grayson for taking over in crunch time and delivering big dagger 3's. I also thought he played great defense the entire game.

Other than the game staying very close obviously, I think that Pitt playing the zone, and running the shot clock down on most possessions, shortened the game and allowed K to play the starting five heavy minutes. I too, wish Giles and Bolden had gotten more minutes, but right now we are in survival mode, where just winning the darn game is the main focus and only goal.

The type of game Thursday will be will force K to play the 6th, 7th, and 8th guys several more minutes than they played today and even against ND.

It is going to be an all out war, high energy, lots of exertion mentally as well as physically. We are going to need all 8 guys and maybe 9 or 10.

[Edouble]

I love Grayson Allen!!! He gets my vote!

[LoveBuckner]

I love Grayson Allen!!! He gets my vote!

He gets mine as well. Put the game on his shoulders at the end. A lot of class despite what the press says.