In Princeton's 100-year history, exactly three opponents had scored 100 points. The last came in 1968, and it was done by -- get this -- North Carolina.
Led by Shane Battier's assault on the school record book, No. 2 Duke took aim on the forbidden number Tuesday night, but mercy prevailed. Mike Krzyzewski began emptying the bench with almost 10 minutes left as his Blue Devils coasted 87-50 in their season opener, a first-round Preseason NIT game.
"We're pretty disappointed," said Duke senior Nate James. "We didn't accomplish our goal of 100 points."
In the NIT's second round, Duke (1-0) will host Villanova Friday. A victory would be the 500th of Krzyzewski's 21-year career at Duke (499-160).
Thanks to five three-pointers by Battier early in the second half, Duke led 69-35 and was on pace for 106 points. It reached the 100 mark seven times last season, but even finishing at 87 left Duke in rare company. Princeton surrendered that much just once in the 1990s.
Battier found himself in rarer company still. He made nine three-pointers, breaking the school record set in 1998 by William Avery. Battier, a candidate for national player of the year, had 29 points in 29 minutes.
"(Battier) does that during practice," Krzyzewski said. "It's not unusual. Not that you expect him to go 9-for-12 (on three-pointers) every game, but I don't think that's a once-in-a-career type thing. He can shoot. And our guys find him."
Young guards Chris Duhon (eight assists) and Jason Williams (seven assists) did most of the finding, with little bumbling. They combined for just five turnovers in 52 minutes, and Duke committed 10 overall.
Duhon didn't score and took just three shots, but Krzyzewski was pleased.
"I think Duhon was just wanting to play defense and distribute the ball," he said. "That's the kind of player he is. I think that's great, when a guy knows he can play well without scoring."
Duke got enough scoring from Battier, Williams (17 points), James (15) and Carlos Boozer (11). The fifth starter, Michael Dunleavy, just missed double figures with nine. Boozer, a 1999 Juneau-Douglas High School graduate, was 4-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, plus he grabbed four rebounds and dished out an assist in 20 minutes of action.
The Blue Devils were 15-for-30 on three-pointers against the smaller Tigers, who backed into a zone and dared Duke to shoot. Fifteen was the fourth-most three-pointers in school history.
"We expect to take threes when they're there," Krzyzewski said. "When they're there, we'll take them against small, medium and large teams."
Duke got Princeton (0-1) at an especially susceptible time. The Tigers were playing their first game under new coach John Thompson, and without four of their five starters from last season. All five were underclassmen, but one turned pro for baseball, one is taking a year hiatus from basketball, one was injured and one transferred to UCLA.
Still, the Tigers hung in early. They led 6-5 after scoring on three consecutive layups off their trademark play, the backdoor cut. Duke ran off the next 13 points for an 18-6 lead, but Princeton answered with four three-pointers and a layup to get within 22-20.
The season was only 10 minutes old, and Krzyzewski was grumbling to assistant Steve Wojciechowski. The rest of the Duke bench was still, silent.
