Coach K wins 900th; Duke reaches Sweet 16

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Duke is no stranger to this situation: Facing an underdog with uncanny touch from three-point range, one that's racing downcourt in the closing seconds, scrambling for one last shot at some NCAA Tournament magic.

This time, it was Michigan's turn to miss.

Nolan Smith scored 24 points and the top-seeded Blue Devils held their breath as the Wolverines' last shot clanged off the iron, sealing a 73-71 win Sunday that marked the 900th victory of coach Mike Krzyzewski's Hall of Fame career.

"The 900, it means that we're advancing," Krzyzewski said. "That's the main thing."

Kyle Singler added 13 points for the Blue Devils (32-4), who shot 51 percent, never trailed in the second half and advanced to the round of 16 for the 12th time in 14 years. Next stop: Anaheim, Calif., for the West regional semifinals Thursday.

Parts of this game felt awfully familiar for Duke, which capped its run to the national title last year with a dramatic two-point victory over Butler that wasn't settled until a half-court heave ricocheted off the glass and the iron at the buzzer.

"We told our kids it would be like playing Butler in the national championship -- a very similar, tough-minded, really, really good basketball team," Krzyzewski said. "I'm proud of our effort and obvious ecstatic that we're moving on."

One key difference: The eighth-seeded Wolverines (21-14) gave themselves a much cleaner look on their final shot.

Michigan, which trailed by 15 with 10:51 to play, clawed within one point twice in the final 90 seconds before Smith missed a free throw with 8.7 seconds left to give the Wolverines one last chance.

Darius Morris (16 points) zipped downcourt and put up a runner in the lane with two seconds left, but the shot bounced off the back iron and the rebound went to Smith at the buzzer.

Kyrie Irving and Ryan Kelly scored 11 points apiece for the Blue Devils, who won their eighth straight game in the NCAA Tournament.

"I don't want to take this Duke jersey off. As simple as that," Smith said. "Every game could be my last."

Krzyzewski improved to 900-283 in his 36th season and can catch his mentor for first on the career list next weekend. He would match Bob Knight with a victory in the Elite Eight, and would pass him with one win in Houston that also would put the reigning national champions back in the title game.

"There will be a lot of guys who will win 900 games eventually, but to be the first two and for it to be a coach and his player to do it, it's something very unique," Krzyzewski said.

Tim Hardaway Jr. reeled off seven consecutive points down the stretch and Michigan got within 70-69 with 1:27 remaining -- almost making Krzyzewski wait till next season for 900.