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Throwback Thursday: Cleveland Cavaliers in the NCAA Tournament

By Jackson Flickinger

Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Miami Heat player Kevin Love cheers with the crowd during the first half between the Stanford Cardinal and UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Miami Heat player Kevin Love cheers with the crowd during the first half between the Stanford Cardinal and UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyrie Irving – Duke University

Irving was one of the nation’s top prospects going into the 2010-11 season. Coach Kryzewski and the Blue Devils seemed poised to make a deep run in March led by Irving.

Duke went into the year as the preseason favorite to win the tournament. Their lineup was highlighted by Nolan Smith, Kyle Singer, Mason Plumlee, and Seth Curry.

Irving started off the season as the first freshman under Coach K to ever start the opening game of the season at point guard. Kyrie’s college career started off with a bang, before it was prematurely cut short.

Irving suffered a toe injury early in the year that limited him to 11 total games.

Kyrie was able to return quicker than many expected from his toe injury. He came back to play in a first round match-up with Hampton. He came off of the bench and finished with 14 points in only limited action.

The second round match-up with Michigan proved to be a nail-bitter. The Blue Devils pulled out a narrow 73-71 victory. Irving also came off the bench in that game. He finished with 11 points in the victory.

Duke’s season was cut short by Derrick Williams and Arizona. The Wildcats pulled off the upset with an impressive 93-77 win. Irving’s 28 points weren’t enough to will his team to victory.

Kyrie Irving shined in the performance, but the night ultimitly belonged to the eventual number 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, Derrick Williams.