A shorter day-after post than usual because we weren’t at the day-of event.

First, the links: S-R, Charlotte Observer, Herald-Sun of Durham, halftime and post-game blogging on ESPN.com, S-I, and the New York Post.

Notes and quotes below.

Any time I have to drag out the reading glasses, it means bad news for somebody — Gonzaga or Gonzaga’s opponent. It means I’m scanning the Gonzaga media guide to see where a win/loss, point total, shooting percentage, etc., ranks in the school records.

Today, it was Gonzaga’s turn as the Bulldogs were blasted 76-41 by No. 7 Duke. There haven’t been many of these blowouts in recent years (Memphis, Illinois, Virginia off the top of my head), but this one wasn’t in doubt after Duke’s 18-2 run midway through the first half.

I wasn’t on hand to witness the drubbing live, but I’ve cobbled together a game story, with the help of GU SID Oliver Pierce and the wire services. You can read the unedited version below.

It didn’t get any better for Gonzaga in the second half. In fact, it got worse.

No. 7 Duke overwhelmed No. 15 Gonzaga 76-41 on Saturday. Duke led 31-17 at half and cruised in the second half while Gonzaga continued to struggle at both ends of the court.

Back with a recap in about an hour. 

Gonzaga was pretty much a mess offensively as it fell into a 31-17 hole against Duke on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

The Bulldogs had 13 turnovers and made just 7 of 28 shots (0 of 5 on 3s). They missed layups, had airballs on open 3s and short jump hooks, and clanked a dunk attempt. And they were 3 of 8 at the free-throw line.

In the first seven minutes, GU’s lone basket came on a dunk by Will Foster. GU recovered to lead 10-8, but Duke scored 18 of the next 20 points to take a comfortable lead.

Robert Sacre scored seven points and Manny Arop chipped in four. Matt Bouldin, back in the starting lineup after a one-game absence, had two points and two assists, but committed four turnovers. Elias Harris was 0 of 6 from the field and had three turnovers. Steven Gray was 0 of 3 and had two turnovers.

Duke’s Jon Scheyer had 14 points (eight coming at the foul line) and Nolan Smith added nine.

Back after the game with an update.

Back with a preview of Saturday’s Gonzaga-Duke game. Read on for the unedited version below and some notes that didn’t make it into the article.

Gonzaga and Duke are apparently discussing a potential Dec. 19th matchup at Madison Square Garden, according to ESPN.com. Nothing has been finalized.

Also on the scheduling front, it appears the GU-Memphis series will continue, despite the coaching change at the Conference USA school. 

And I forgot to post Kelly Olynyk making his oral commitment official by signing his letter of intent. More here.