David Teel / Newport News Daily Press

The tie began snug to John Chaney’s neck, perfect for a Sunday afternoon. By the second television timeout, the knot was around his sternum. By halftime, it was near his kneecaps.

Chaney’s tie, like his Temple basketball team, fought the good fight in the NCAA East Regional final against Duke. But in the end, both came unraveled as the Blue Devils stormed into the Final Four with an 85-64 victory at Continental Airlines Arena.

Duke advances to Saturday’s national semifinal at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., against Midwest Regional champion Michigan State. The Blue Devils defeated the Spartans 73-67 in Chicago on Dec. 2.

“That team is playing at the highest level of basketball right now,” Chaney said of Duke, “not just physically, but with a spirit. … I just hope that whoever plans to beat them believes in the Lord.”

The notion that no one has a prayer of beating top-ranked Duke (36-1) has circulated for weeks. The Blue Devils are on a 31-game tear and haven’t won by fewer than 15 points since early February.

But sixth-seeded Temple (24-11) gave Duke all it could handle early with its zone defenses and relentless rebounding. Then Trajan Langdon showed why many consider him the college game’s purest shooter.

With Duke trailing 9-5, its first deficit in four NCAA Tournament games, Langdon began an 11-point spree that required all of 2:18. He hit a leaner in the lane, followed by three consecutive 3-pointers.

The Blue Devils led 16-11 and never looked back. Langdon, voted the regional’s MVP, finished with a game-high 23 points. He made six of his seven shots, five of his six threes.

“We knew Langdon was going to hit shots,” Chaney said. “We just didn’t know how well. … They got the ball to Langdon when everyone else out there seemed to be dying a natural death. … He’s as pure a shooter as I’ve seen.”

Temple’s zones dare teams to launch 3-pointers. The Owls prefer to defend the interior, and Sunday their target was Elton Brand, Duke’s All-American center.

“I don’t see how you can dare him,” Duke forward Chris Carrawell said of Langdon. “He’s the best shooter in the country.”

Read More …