Fansided

Coach K: Duke basketball walk-on Justin Robinson a better story than Rudy

By Cody Williams

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: Justin Robinson #50 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after making a three-point basket against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: Justin Robinson #50 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after making a three-point basket against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Duke basketball walk-on Justin Robinson, according to Mike Krzyzewski, is a better story than Rudy — but he figures to have a much bigger impact in March.

As the Duke Blue Devils completed a regular-season sweep of rival North Carolina on Saturday night, their stars came to play as Tre Jones, Cassius Stanley and Vernon Carey Jr. combined for 65 points on the night. And yet, senior walk-on forward Justin Robinson may have had the biggest impact as he made his senior night at Cameron Indoor Stadium one for the books.

Robinson set career-highs across the board in Duke’s victory, putting up 13 points (4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range), six rebounds, three assists and a huge four blocks against the Tar Heels. He was a spark on offense with timely made triples and his transition defense legitimately changed the game.

As big as his moment was on Saturday, though, it was out of nowhere. Robinson had played in just 14 games this year prior to getting the senior night start and, on the year, has averaged only 6.8 minutes per game.

Coming out of nowhere on such a massive stage, subsequently, led to Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski to liken Robinson to another famous underdog: Rudy Ruettiger of Notre Dame and Hollywood fame.

“It’s better than ‘Rudy,'” Krzyzewski said, via ESPN’s David M. Hale, comparing Robinson’s performance to the legendary story of Notre Dame football walk-on Rudy Ruettiger. “It’s almost like a movie. He’s been outstanding, and hopefully he keeps it going.”

While Robinson is no doubt an underdog story in his own right, the comparisons to Rudy might stop there. Rudy was not the son of Hall of Famer David Robinson, nor was he as physically gifted as the 6-foot-9 Duke forward. And perhaps most importantly, Rudy never had a meaningful impact on the Fighting Irish’s ACC and NCAA title chances.

Over the past three games, Robinson has seen his role grow dramatically, playing double-digit minutes in each contest, the first time he’s done so all year. And as the Blue Devils were slightly limping into the postseason, the senior forward has sparked them much in the same way he did against UNC, giving them valuable scoring, rebounding and defensive effort.

If Robinson is able to continue his contributions at this level in the ACC Tournament and throughout March Madness, Duke’s title chances look much more enticing. And while that may make Justin Robinson a different story entirely than Rudy, it’s still a story well worth telling.

Next. Zion and the 20 best one-and-done's. dark

For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.