Central Michigan Chippewas Related Links: Team Page City Page Schedule Stats

Duke Blue Devils Related Links: Team Page City Page Schedule Stats

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski went out of his way to say nice things about Central Michigan. Dahntay Jones proceeded to dismantle the Chippewas.

Jones scored 16 of his career-high 28 points in the first 9 1/2 minutes as the third-seeded Blue Devils had no trouble with No. 14 Central Michigan en route to an 86-60 rout in the second round of the West Region.

Duke (26-6) will face Kansas on Thursday in Anaheim, California. The Blue Devils earned their sixth straight trip to the regionals since a second-round loss to Providence in 1997.

Krzyzewski talked at length on Friday about how impressed he was with Central Michigan's turnaround from a nine-win season to 25 victories and the Mid-American Conference championship and echoed those sentiments after the game. He also said the Chippewas' Chris Kaman was the best center his team had seen all year.

Jones showed little respect for Central Michigan (25-7) with a jumper and a pair of 3-pointers in the opening four minutes. He threw down a one-handed dunk with just under 11 minutes to go in the first half for a 24-17 advantage.

"My teammates have been finding me open," Jones said. "We're just taking what the defense gives us."

Freshman J.J. Redick scored eight points in an 11-1 surge that gave Duke a 40-25 lead with 3:36 left. The Blue Devils rolled into halftime with a 47-33 cushion.

"In the first half, they pushed us back and it threw us off a little," Chippewas guard J.R. Wallace said.

The beating continued in the second half as Duke sprinted out with another 11-1 tear. Chris Duhon dunked off a fast break to cap it for a 58-34 advantage with 16:50 to play.

Duhon scored 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding eight rebounds and six steals.

"If you look at Chris' line in the box score, it's a great line," Krzyzewski said. "He influenced every part of the game, and it doesn't even show defense."

Jones and Redick also had impressive lines. Jones made 9-of-14 shots and 8-of-9 at the line while Redick drained 5-of-7 from beyond the arc for 26 points.

Kaman had a huge game with 25 points and 10 rebounds and Wallace drained four 3-pointers for 14 points. The rest of the Chippewas struggled and combined to shoot 22 percent (6-of-27).

Meanwhile, Duke shot 61.5 percent (32-of-52) as it clicked offensively throughout. Redick's effort was part of a 10-of-15 performance from beyond the arc.

"They have great pressure defense," Duhon said. "They're used to their big man blocking shots. Our big men did a good job of moving him around to where he couldn't stay in the lane."

Kaman's defensive presence was limited, although he managed a pair of blocks. His offensive performance impressed Krzyzewski.

"He can use both hands, he can run the floor. If he gets fouled, he can hit free throws," Krzyzewski said. "He's going to be a pro, there's no doubt about it."

Central Michigan needed close to a repeat performance from Mike Manciel, who scored a career-high 29 points in Thursday's upset of Creighton. Manciel did not come close, however, managing five points on 1-of-9 shooting.

"They played hard defensively," Manciel said. "They are a great defensive team. They just came out and played very tough."

A pair of free throws by Kaman pulled the Chippewas within 70-55 with just over eight minutes left. Redick answered with a 3-pointer and a three-point play to end any comeback hopes.

Duke held a 40-26 advantage in points in the paint, despite Kaman's dominance, and Krzyzewski earned his 60th NCAA Tournament victory, second to the 65 by North Carolina's Dean Smith.