Bobby Hurley’s legs were gone now, after playing the full 40 minutes of Duke’s loss to California on Saturday, and with them went his jump shot. But still he was there, trying to carry his team.
He had already done so much, confronted by a team that was simply smoking, surrounded by teammates who were clearly struggling. He had scored 18 on 4-of-6 shooting in the first half. He had added 11 points in the first six minutes of the second half. But then his legs started to go, and finally they were gone after he hit a three to pull Duke even at 3:55.
His shot, as it always does, went along with them, and that meant the end of both Duke and his magnificent four-year run as its point guard. Under him it went 119-26, won 13 straight tourney games and 18 of 20 overall, and hoisted two national championship banners.
“It all seemed to end so suddenly,” he said. And then-for the last time-he too was gone, a warrior to the end.