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Every story has a subplot. Everyone is familiar with and loves to talk about the main characters or actions in a story. But what about the smaller things that made the Happy Ending (no jokes here) happen? Translate this to Duke Basketball. We all like to vote on and talk about Laettner's shot(s). Jason Williams' threes against Maryland. Duhon's buzzer beaters against Wake and UNC.

Here's where I'm going with this: For discussion, what are some of the most pivitol yet somewhat forgotten plays in Duke history? The plays that, had they not been made, would not have allowed Duke to go on to greater things? My first nominee is:

1. Bobby Hurley's three against UNLV with about two minutes left in the game (1991 Final Four). In a tight ballgame, UNLV, the heavy favorite had just hit a big shot to go up by four (I think) on Duke. The momentum seemed to be turning and the air just went out of the Duke fans I was with. Duke comes down the floor, and Hurley doesn't hesitate. He stops, launches a three (I curse, "Nooooo!") and it's nothing but net. In a flash, Duke was back in the game and the rest is history. Duke went on to beat UNLV and win its first basketball National Championship. Everyone talks about the Laettner free throws, for good reason. They were clutch, deadly. But without Hurley's three, Duke may have never been in a position to win that game.

Can anyone think of other such moments?

-EarlJam

The day that Johnny Dawkins accepted Coach K's offer to play basketball at Duke.

Johnny Dawkins blocking David Rivers shot vs ND to seal a one point victory.

Zoubek stepping in and taking a charge vs Baylor last year. Basket doesn't count, Baylor lead stays at 2.

EarlJam wrote: Duke comes down the floor, and Hurley doesn't hesitate. He stops, launches a three (I curse, "Nooooo!") and it's nothing but net.

The correct saying here is "Jesus, Hurley!". This applies both when he takes the shot and you think it's going to miss, and after it goes in.

Jesus_hurley wrote:Zoubek stepping in and taking a charge vs Baylor last year. Basket doesn't count, Baylor lead stays at 2.

This is an excellent example! A little over mid-way through the second half of that Baylor game, I was certain we were DOOMED.

-EarlJam

EarlJam wrote:

Jesus_hurley wrote:Zoubek stepping in and taking a charge vs Baylor last year. Basket doesn't count, Baylor lead stays at 2.

This is an excellent example! A little over mid-way through the second half of that Baylor game, I was certain we were DOOMED.

-EarlJam

Sorry, but the subplot had nothing to do with Z.

It had EVERYTHING to do with me washing the dishes. ;)

EarlJam wrote:Every story has a subplot. My first nominee is:

1. Bobby Hurley's three against UNLV with about two minutes left in the game (1991 Final Four). In a tight ballgame, UNLV, the heavy favorite had just hit a big shot to go up by four (I think) on Duke. The momentum seemed to be turning and the air just went out of the Duke fans I was with. Duke comes down the floor, and Hurley doesn't hesitate. He stops, launches a three (I curse, "Nooooo!") and it's nothing but net. In a flash, Duke was back in the game and the rest is history. Duke went on to beat UNLV and win its first basketball National Championship. Everyone talks about the Laettner free throws, for good reason. They were clutch, deadly. But without Hurley's three, Duke may have never been in a position to win that game.

Can anyone think of other such moments?

-EarlJam

I actually talked about that 3 when I spoke at my friend David's funeral on Sunday. I watched the game in his living room with him and I related part of that story to everyone. Laettner's SHOT vs. KY the next year, too.