December 5 1992
2:45 to skip pre-game
Mike Krzyzewski Steve Fisher Chris Webber Grant Hill Jalen Rose Bobby Hurley Juwan Howard Jimmy King Thomas Hill Ray Jackson Antonio Lang Cherokee Parks Rob Pelinka Eric Riley
In the second game of the season, #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines travel to Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium to face the team that defeated them in the national championship the season prior, 71 to 51. This time, however, the Blue Devils would be without Christian Laettner, a polarizing but usually the best player on the court during his time at Duke. Little known Cherokee Parks would step into his big shoes down low. Duke still had 2 of the trio that led them to the national championship, Grant Hill and Bobby Hurley, as well as returning starters Antonio Lang and Thomas Hill.
On paper, Michigan held the advantage with all 5 of the star freshman the previous season and most of the bench returning. They especially had the advantage down low in Juwan Howard and Chris Webber, but both weren't really able to capitalize on the mismatch, partially due to Duke's zone defense. Duke would earn a home victory, 79-68, thanks to Thomas Hill's 21 points, Hurley's 20, and a solid all around night from Grant Hill. Cherokee Parks was also a crucial part of the victory, holding his own against Michigan's much-lauded big men, helping neutralize their impact.
Michigan was led by Jimmy King, who had 20 points, and solid performances from the rest of the Fab 5. The bench was a no-show, perhaps feeling jittery due to the high intensity in the arena. C-Webb had a solid game, but was expected to contribute on offense a little more against the at the time unproven and frankly unheralded Cherokee Parks. Parks would later blossom in college (in the NBA not so much), but this night was one that was supposed to belong to C-Webb.