Dennis Smith Jr. has signature game in win at Duke

DURHAM — NC State freshman point guard Dennis Smith Jr. scored 11 of his game-high 32 points over the final five minutes to rally the Wolfpack to a 84-82 win at Duke on Monday.

Smith, who also dished out three assists during the closing push, helped NC State regain hope after losing four of its last five games. NCSU improved to 14-7 overall and 3-5 in the ACC, and play at Louisville Jan. 29.

It looked bleak for the Wolfpack with the game appearing to slip away when Smith came out for a rare breather with 9:09 remaining. Duke freshman forward Jayson Tatum made a layup and sophomore wing Luke Kennard got a steal and layup to stretch the Blue Devils lead to 68-59. NC State called timeout specifically to sub Smith back in the game, and he began to work his magic over the final 6:35.

Smith has long looked forward to playing Duke, and Monday was the lone regular season meeting between the two schools separated by about 30 minutes. NC State head coach Mark Gottfried said he could tell during Sunday’s practice at Cameron Indoor Stadium that Smith would be ready.

Smith’s performance might have been aided by his struggles in the 107-56 loss at North Carolina Jan. 8, the other opponent he had eagerly look forward to playing.

“He has that look in his eye sometimes where you can tell he is going to play at a high level,” Gottfried said. “Today he was spectacular.”

Smith strongly considered Duke in the recruiting process, but the Blue Devils wisely figured out they weren’t likely going to land him and moved on to Derryck Thornton in the class of 2015, and then Frank Jackson in 2016. Smith is also good friends with Duke freshmen Harry Giles and the aforementioned Tatum, so there was a good chance he would try to show the Blue Devils what they missed out on.

“He is a very talented kid and played lights out basketball,” said Duke assistant coach Jeff Capel, who recruited Smith. “He did it in every phase. He scored, but in the second half he really got his guys involved.”

Smith eclipsed his previous season high of 31 points in the loss to Georgia Tech, and he reached 30-plus points for the third time this season. The NCSU freshman scoring record of 35 points by Ernie Meyers in 1983 appeared within his reach, but Smith went 8 of 15 from the free throw line.

Two of Smith’s three assists down the stretch resulted in junior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu getting a power dunk and sophomore small forward Maverick Rowan draining a three-pointer to build a 77-73 lead. Smith then tacked on a layup and to stretch the lead to six points, and Duke was forced to press for the first time.

NC State helped create drama down the stretch. Smith made just 2 of 6 free throws, and some a costly turnover and fouls gave Duke a chance to tie or win the game on the last possession. Tatum recklessly dribbled into a turnover and Rowan and Smith combined for the final touches, with Smith getting the steal.

Gottfried might not remember too much about his first Division I victory while at Murray State — 108-62 over Berry College on Nov. 25, 1995 — but he’ll certainly cherish his 400th.

“I had a good feeling about today, but you never know,” Gottfried said.

The Wolfpack won for the first time since 1995 at Duke, which is also when Blue Devils last had an interim coach. Capel is filling in for head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is unable to coach while recovering from back surgery.

Ted Kapita Proves He Belongs

Smith might have been the closer down the stretch, but fellow freshman Ted Kapita helped give the Wolfpack a chance to be in a position to rally for the win.

Kapita went from not playing the last two games, learning some valuable lessons in the process, to proving to his coach and teammates he can be trusted on the court. The 6-8 forward from the Congo took his opportunity and ran with to the tune of 14 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes of action before fouling out with 5:17 left. Duke was leading 70-63 at that point, but the score could have worse without Kapita’s efforts.

Kapita’s 19 minutes were more than what he has played over the last six games combined. Gottfried saw enough in practice to know it was worth giving him another shot against Duke.

“I’m still learning about my team,” Gottfried said. “There is a old saying, ‘Have a hunch, bet a bunch.’ I just had a hunch that he needs to play. He has done a good job.

“He missed a lot of games early, so he’s been behind. He deserved a chance, so I made the decision to bring him off the bench first.”

The one-two punch of Kapita and junior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu combined for 34 points and 19 rebounds, dominating Duke’s inside players.

“Malik was great and Dennis found him on some key passes,” Gottfried said.

NC State made Duke fifth-year senior center Amile Jefferson a non-factor for the first time this season. Freshman forward Harry Giles provided Duke a spark off the bench with eight points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes, but freshman center Marques Bolden was also a non-factor.

Abu was able to build off his explosive first half against Wake Forest and, more importantly, stayed out of foul trouble and played 36 minutes against Duke. That proved especially key because freshman center Omer Yurtseven also had foul trouble for the Wolfpack.

“I thought their two bigs, Abu and especially Kapita, really, really gave them a lot of energy and played great,” Capel said. “Give them credit. It’s very disappointing for us.”

Grayson Allen Continues His Struggles

Duke junior shooting guard Grayson Allen came off the bench, which is unusual for the preseason ACC Player of the Year candidate, but indicative of how much a struggle the season has become.

Allen has battled minor injuries and the spotlight glare because he’s proven to be the ultimate college basketball Internet “click bait.” However, his game has started to struggle and he went 1 of 9 from three-point land en route to 13 points against NC State’s defense.

Allen, who picked Duke over, among others, NC State, wore out the Wolfpack last year. He scored a combined 75 points and made nine three-pointers in three victories against NCSU.

Capel didn’t mention Allen by name while bemoaning his squad’s shooting woes, but he could have.

“We had some opportunities there, but didn’t capitalize on them,” Capel said. “We couldn’t make a shot in the second half. We got some good looks, but didn’t finish those.”