GAME REPORT

FIRST HALF: DUKE 32, MICHIGAN STATE 20

* HIGHLIGHT REEL: Duke freshman Corey Maggette is a regular on the “SportsCenter” highlights because of his leaping ability, and he added to his videotape collection. Running the right side of the floor on a fastbreak, Maggette was fouled while making a sensational layup over A.J. Granger. Maggette simply outjumped Granger, who seemed stunned that Maggette got up that high. Maggette made the free throw, completing a three-point play and giving Duke a 19-11 lead with 11:38 to go. Granger’s confused expression was similar to ones that other Duke opponents have displayed while playing against Maggette.

* WHAT YOU WON’T FIND IN THE BOX SCORE: Duke All-American center Elton Brand had 13 rebounds, but the way he got them was the bigger concern for Michigan State. There weren’t any “cheap” rebounds in the bunch. Brand overpowered anyone in his way, prompting Spartan Coach Tom Izzo to remind officials they were permitted to call fouls. The Spartans are among the best rebounding teams in the nation, but their low-post players were no match for Brand. He had only one fewer rebound than the Michigan State team.

* WINNING NUMBERS: 8-13. Brand’s points and rebounds, respectively. Michigan State knew the ball was going inside to Brand; the Spartans simply couldn’t do anything to stop him.

* WRONG NUMBER: 14.3%. That’s what Michigan State shot on three-point attempts, making one out of seven. That won’t cut it against Duke.

* LEADING SCORER: Maggette, Duke, 9.

* LEADING REBOUNDER: Brand, Duke, 13.

SECOND HALF: DUKE 68, MICHIGAN STATE 62

* HIGHLIGHT REEL: After what Brand accomplished, the last thing Michigan State needed was another Blue Devil to get hot. But guard William Avery did, trying to provide a knockout punch. In consecutive plays 31 seconds apart, Avery made field goals to give Duke its biggest lead of the game, 36-22, at the 18:06 mark. His first field goal was a quick jumper in the lane, and the second was a fastbreak dunk that brought Duke’s fans to their feet.

* WHAT YOU WON’T FIND IN THE BOX SCORE: The importance of forwards Shane Battier and Chris Carrawell. Carrawell made only six free throws in 12 attempts, finishing with 13 points overall, and Battier scored only five points. But they made big contributions defensively, combining to harass forward Morris Peterson, the Spartans’ leading scorer, into shooting six for 17. Much of the Blue Devils’ scoring is triggered by the defensive play of Battier and Carrawell, and the tireless workers did their jobs again.

* WINNING NUMBER: 7. The number of points All-American guard Trajan Langdon scored--and Duke still won relatively easily. That illustrates the depth of the Blue Devils.

* WRONG NUMBER: 33. That’s the combined field goals attempted by Peterson and point guard Mateen Cleaves. They made 13. You can’t beat Duke like that.

* LEADING SCORER: Brand, Duke, 10.

* LEADING REBOUNDER: Peterson, Michigan State, 7.