Ryan Kelly Comes Back From Injury and Immediately Gets to Dropping Bombs

The Cameron Crazies have much to be proud of this morning. If you’re Miami, you’ve got to take solace in the fact that it took Ryan Kelly unleashing an otherworldy performance in his first game back from a foot injury for the Blue Devils to escape with a harrowing 79-76 victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Shane Larkin's penetration stirred the drink for Miami to the tune of 25 points, but outside shooting was Duke's libation. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Ryan Kelly outscored Miami 23-22 on shot attempts from 15 feet or farther, Saturday. The Hurricanes shot 50.0 percent and outscored Duke by 17 points on such attempts in their win on January 23.

ESPN Stats & Info provided more insight into the contrast between Saturday's win and their loss on January 23. Duke shot 44.8 percent on shots attempted from at least 15 feet Saturday, after shooting 14.3 percent on such attempts in its loss at Miami on January 23. Ryan Kelly made eight shots from 15 or more feet Saturday, double the amount the entire Duke team made in its first game against Miami. In Kelly's absence, their starting forward averaged just 5.1 points per game, well below the 36 points he offered up on Saturday and the 15 points he averaged per game.

Kelly was absolutely unconscious from downtown as 21 of his 36 were the result of 7-for-9 shooting from stationary three-point shots. Senior Night wasn't all positive memories for Ryan Kelly. Kelly was invincible from the perimeter but in the first half, Miami forward Kenny Kadji ethered Kelly under the basket with a vicious slam. Fortunately for Kadji, there are no extradition policies for aerial assault and battery on South Beach. This may not be the last time they meet this season. A showdown in the ACC Championship is a very likely rubber match scenario.

 

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