There’s a lot to be said, given Duke’s recent history in the NCAA tournament and a roster full of freshmen, for getting out of the first round, especially against an opponent that shot 55 percent in the first half and still never really had a chance.
There will also be a lot to be said, behind closed doors over the next 48 hours, about the way Duke played defense at times against Iona on Thursday. Duke’s offense was good enough throughout. The defense needed some adjustments.
None of that matters, nor will it matter, when Marvin Bagley III is floating above the rim and Trevon Duval is banging in 3-pointers like the March ghost of Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen and Gary Trent Jr.