Williams Scores 35 Points To Lead Duke Over Michigan, 104-83

Dec 8, 2001

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - It's just business, never personal, at Duke.

Whether the top-ranked Blue Devils are playing an opposing coach with program ties or a fierce rival, they strive perfection.

Jason Williams scored 14 of his career-high 35 points in the first 4:13 and Duke beat Michigan 104-83 Saturday to spoil Tommy Amaker's reunion with his alma mater and mentor, Mike Krzyzewski.

Williams said playing against a former Duke standout and assistant coach was never an issue.

"That's what's great about Coach K," Williams said. "He coaches us the same, whether he hates the other coach or if he loves him."

Duke (8-0) extended the nation's longest winning streak to 18 games, dating to last season's national championship run. Krzyzewski is now 13-0 against former players and assistants.

Amaker, in his first season at Michigan (3-4), started 138 games for the Blue Devils from 1984-87 and was a Duke assistant from 1989-97 before becoming Seton Hall's coach.

"I love Tommy," Krzyzewski said. "Tommy is like a son to me. If you asked my three daughters who their brothers are, they'd say Tommy was one of them. I've known Tommy since he was a sophomore in high school and was 5-9, 140 pounds.

"It just so happens that I had to coach against him and I don't particularly like that," he said.

The two coaches hugged and shared a few words just before the game and shook hands and chatted briefly right after it.

Earlier this week, Amaker thought he would have mixed emotions during the game, but afterward he insisted he didn't.

"You just kind of get engulfed in the game," Amaker said.

Chris Young led the Wolverines with a career-high 25 points.

"I just have a lot of confidence right now," said Young, who broke his previous career high with 22 points on Tuesday.

Young didn't get much help from LaVell Blanchard and Bernard Robinson, Michigan's leading scorers. Blanchard had 16 points and Robinson finished with four after they were held scoreless in the first half.

Williams was 12-of-19 overall, 7-of-11 on 3-pointers and 4-of-5 at the line to top his previous career-high of 34 points. The junior, who has already said he will turn pro after this season, added five assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Williams is taking five - instead of four - courses this semester to graduate with a sociology degree in May before entering the draft.

"It's killed the distractions I had last year," Williams said. "I don't have people asking me all the time if I'm going or not."

Now some are asking where Williams rates among Duke's all-time greats.

Amaker said he's right at the top of the list and Krzyzewski agreed.

"Jason is as talented as anybody I've coached, there's no question," Krzyzewski said.

Williams was taken out of the game after he made three 3-pointers in a 62-second span to give the Blue Devils a 102-70 lead with a few minutes left.

Carlos Boozer scored 23 points and Mike Dunleavy added 16 for Duke, which has won its last seven games by an average of 22.7 points after beating Seton Hall 80-79 in the season opener.

Duke came close to matching the 34-2 beginning it had in last season's 104-61 win over Michigan at home. Williams' 14th point put the Blue Devils ahead 20-4, and they padded the lead to 29-4.

The Wolverines outscored Duke 15-4 later in the half to pull within 15 points, but never got closer.

Duke turned its 51-32 halftime lead into a 30-point lead quickly in the second half and Michigan was not able to do much about it.

Both Krzyzewski and Amaker were very reluctant to talk about the future of this series, which has been played annually since 1989. The current contract ends after next season's game at Duke.

Krzyzewski said he never looks at the opposing bench, even if he's not playing against a former player or assistant.

"Once the game starts, you owe it to the guys that you coach now to give them 100 percent," he said.