The best night in Watsco Center history; it would be hard to make an argument to the contrary. Miami thoroughly manhandled the top-ranked team in the nation.
That setback remains Duke’s largest of the last 11 years and its biggest in any regular season affair since January 1984. Furthermore, Miami’s first win over a top-ranked foe still stands as the third-largest margin of victory all-time against a No. 1 team.
Miami shot 56.9 percent (33-of-58) from the floor and 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from long range, while holding Duke to 29.7 percent (22-of-74) and 17.4 percent (4-of-23) tallies, respectively. The Blue Devil trio of Quinn Cook, Seth Curry and Tyler Thornton—the former two future NBA players—combined to shoot 1-of-29, including a 0-of-10 ledger from Curry.
The Hurricanes went on a 29-5 run over the final 9:42 of the first half and took a commanding 42-19 cushion into the intermission, but did not let up. They scored the first seven points of the second frame to make it a 36-5 stretch and go up by 30, before eventually extending the advantage as high as 34 in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd. As the final buzzer sounded and the fans stormed the court, it was clear to all the 2012-13 Hurricanes were powerhouse team ascending to the top of the college basketball world.
Senior guard Durand Scott scored a game-high 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while redshirt senior forward Kenny Kadji notched 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Sophomore guard Shane Larkin tallied 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists. Redshirt senior guard Trey McKinney Jones registered 10 points, while redshirt senior center Julian Gamble dazzled defensively with 10 boards, four blocks and two steals.
Game 18… Jan. 27, 2013: #25/RV Miami 71, Florida State 47 (Coral Gables, Fla.)