Inside the boxscore: Miami 78, Duke 74
1. Kenny Kadji committed to the University of Florida as a consensus top-40 recruit out of Bradenton, FL. After back problems derailed his career as a Gator, Kadji transferred to the University of Miami to play for coach Frank Haith. Kadji sat out his first season, Haith took another job, and here we are. In the early part of this season it appeared as if Kadji would be a valuable role player. He was averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 boards through Miami's first nine games (5-4). And then Reggie Johnson returned. Defenses had to begin focusing on Johnson's immense presence in the paint, and the versatile Kadji got more freedom within the offense. Since then he's averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds, and has scored at least 14 in every conference game. On Sunday, Kadji had 15 and 8 in their upset of Duke. He made 4-5 3s, including a key one after Duke stormed back and turned a 16-point 2nd half lead into a 2-point lead. He's now made 57% of his 2s and 49% of his 3s.
2. Reggie Johnson had 13 double-doubles last season, but had yet to record one this year since returning from his knee injury. Against Duke he scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He converted 11-16 2s (68.8%) and forced Duke to play long stretches in the 2nd half without Mason Plumlee, who could do nothing to slow Johnson down. Miles Plumlee, who had played 9 minutes in each of the prior two games, played 24 against the Hurricanes. Johnson scored the final four points for Miami in regulation, and the first four in overtime.
3. Miami grabbed 20 offensive rebounds off of 39 missed shots (51.2%). They entered the game ranked 219th in offensive rebounding at a 31.2% rate. Reggie Johnson had 8 offensive boards. Last season he was the 7th best offensive rebounder in the nation. Durand Scott grabbed four offensive boards for the 1st time all season and the 2nd time in his career.
4. Austin Rivers has the 2nd lowest offensive rating on Duke's team and takes 25.8% of the shots when he's on the floor. But he's also the only player that can get inside the defense almost at will. His array of crossovers and shake-and-bakes were on display Sunday, and he had 20 points and a career high 9 rebounds. But the most significant stat is that he didn't record a single assist, and his assist rate for the season is lower than Mason Plumlee's. He'll add that skill to his game at the next level.
5. Duke entered the game attempting 35.7% of their shots from beyond the arc. Against Miami they took 31 3-pointers, which accounted for 45.6% of their field goal attempts. They made nine (29%). It was the most 3-point shots they've taken in any game this season, and the most since last year's loss at FSU. Austin Rivers (1-7), Seth Curry (4-7) and Ryan Kelly (2-7) combined for 21 attempts.
