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No. 2 Duke beats Iona, advances to second round

Iona v Duke

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

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As you might have imagine, No. 2-seed Duke cruised past No. 15-seed Iona and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 89-67 win that never felt like it was in doubt.

The Blue Devils were in control for much of the first half, heading into the break with a 53-39 lead, and perhaps the best news for Coach K’s club as they chase his sixth national title is that the best players on the roster all played like ... well ... the best players on the roster.

Marvin Bagley III finished with a cool 22 points and seven boards. Grayson Allen chipped in with 16 points and nine assists while Trevon Duval finished with 19 points and assists while knocking down four (!!!) threes. Gary Trent Jr. also added 16 points.

Frankly, I’m not sure what else there is to add here.

The Blue Devils will take on No. 7-seed Rhode Island in a second round game on Saturday afternoon. The Rams knocked off Oklahoma and Trae Young in the first game of the tournament on Thursday afternoon.