Rochester's Matthew Hurt prepares for his first-ever March Madness
This year’s March Madness will have a local flavor to it, as former John Marshall standout and current Duke Blue Devil Matthew Hurt heads to the NCAA postseason for the first time.
[Update: Duke announced March 12 that it will not be participating in the tournament due to the spread of the coronavirus.]
Hurt, a freshman power forward in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s system, averaged just under 10 points and four rebounds per game in Duke’s regular season, while shooting 39 percent from behind the 3-point line (the average NCAA player shoots 32.9 percent from three). His best statistical performances came early in the season, including a 25-point outburst against ACC rival Boston College on December 31 (his career high) and a 22-point, six-rebound performance three weeks later against Miami (FL). Hurt has led the team in scoring four times this season.
Among Blue Devil faithful, Hurt has become known for his selfless play, diving after loose balls, and letting others take the spotlight if needed.
In an article from “The Devil’s Den” blog on 247sports.com, “Coach K” named Hurt as a quick study on the defensive end as well, with the ability to guard all five players on the floor.
“He can guard the perimeter and big(s),” said Krzyzewski. “He really has great concentration already on the defensive end."
The Blue Devils, led by fellow Minnesotan Tre Jones, finished their regular season with a 25-6 record good enough for the No. 10 slot in the latest AP Poll. They’ve earned the No. 2 seed for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament, which runs March 10-14. On Selection Sunday, expect Hurt and company to earn at least a 2 or 3 seed.
After this season, Hurt’s plans are up in the air — he could return to Durham for his sophomore season, or head straight to the NBA. Duke blog site Bull Durham lists Hurt with 50/50 odds to return for year two in blue.
What about the older brother?
Meantime, in Minneapolis, the college career of the elder Hurt is coming to a close.
Michael Hurt, two years Matthew’s elder, was honored at Minnesota’s Senior Night Sunday night. He was on two NCAA tournament-qualifying teams, most notably beating Louisville 86-76 in last year’s tournament. (Hurt played nine minutes and did not take a shot.)
During Sunday’s ceremony, Gopher head basketball coach Richard Pitino heaped praise on the John Marshall product, according to the Star Tribune.
“When we first came here, we set out to get some of the best players in the state,” said Pitino. “Michael Hurt was one of those. The classiest kid I’ve coached. Does things the right way in the classroom, in the community. He’s a leader and he’s about all the right things.”
Minnesota earned the No. 12 seed (out of 14) for the Big Ten conference tournament and play Northwestern in their first-round game on Wednesday. The Gophers finished 14-16 (8-12 against conference opponents) and will need to win the conference tournament to make the Big Dance. A berth in other invitational tournaments (the NIT and CBI come to mind) aren’t out of the question, but the Gophers cannot afford a first-round exit if they want to extend Hurt’s career past Wednesday.
Yellowjackets want it all
The RCTC Yellowjackets are playing on home turf this weekend, as they try to take home the D3 national title in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association). The 12-team tournament starts on Wednesday and runs through Saturday, with the national championship tipping off at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Rochester Regional Sports Center on RCTC’s campus.
The Yellowjackets went 25-5 this season and earned the No. 4 seed in the tournament. They were led by sophomore forward Kong Kong (16.6 PPG) and sophomore guard Ray Adams, another John Marshall grad who played with Matthew Hurt in high school. Adams averaged 12.2 points per game while shooting 51.5 percent from the field.
RCTC’s first game is set for Thursday at 6 p.m.
Isaac Jahns is a Rochester native and a 2019 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He reports on politics, business and music for Med City Beat.
Cover photo: Chis Summerville / DukeReport.com
