Known for winning six Atlantic Coast Conference regular season titles in the 1990s but playing anything but stellar in the league tournament the last few years, the Blue Devils (30-1) won their 25th straight Thursday night, a 104-67 flatting of Virginia in a first-round game.
``Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) let us know we need to win this thing,'' said Elton Brand, who had 15 points and six of Duke's 59 rebounds. ``He wants us to play our best so that we go into the NCAA with confidence and momentum.
``It may sound corny but we really want this - and we are going to do whatever it takes to win this. It will give us a sense of completeness,'' added teammate Shane Battier.
Like most of Duke's ACC game's this season, it was over by halftime. The Blue Devils led 59-21 after 20 minutes and had outrebounded the Cavaliers 35-14.
The biggest suspense was the status of Duke 3-point ace Trajan Langdon, who limped to the locker room with 14:52 remaining and Duke up by 44. His injury was diagnosed as a strained left foot. X-rays were negative, and team officials said he would be listed as day-to-day.
``I think I'm going to be fine, especially since we get a day off. It's not something for me to be scared about,'' said Langdon.
The Blue Devils get to rest today and await the winner of the game between Wake Forest and N.C. State. Also today, Florida State takes on No. 5 Maryland, while Georgia Tech plays No. 15 North Carolina in the nightcap.
Before the Duke win, Florida State and Clemson combined for 61 fouls and 36 turnovers in a game that went into overtime before the Seminoles pulled out an 87-85 victory.
Adrian Crawford scored nine of his 20 points in overtime as Florida State rallied after blowing a 16-point second-half lead to beat the Tigers.
Florida State was up 67-51 with 7:10 left behind Baker's 28 points and seemingly in control of the game, but the Tigers (16-14) closed with a 20-4 run to send it into an extra five-minute period.
The Seminoles started the overtime with a dunk by Damous Anderson and a 3-pointer by Crawford to take a 76-71 lead, but had to hang on at the end despite leading by eight with 54.9 seconds left.
Terrell McIntyre, who finished with 28 points and 10 assists for Clemson, missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have given the Tigers the win.
Harold Jamison added 16 points and 20 rebounds for the Tigers. Jamison's rebound total was an ACC tourney record for a Clemson player and was three off the all-time tourney record of 23.
Duke's win was the widest margin of victory in the 46-year-old event since North Carolina's 37-point victory over North Carolina State in the 1968 championship game.
William Avery had 18 points and four assists to lead Duke to its ninth consecutive victory over the Cavaliers.
Chris Williams led Virginia (14-16) with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
``We've got six scholarship players going against a great team like this,'' said Virginia coach Pete Gillen. ``It's like pros versus young men.''
By DAVID DROSCHAK,AP Sports Writer
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