Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.
Those words, spoken by Jim Valvano during the 1993 ESPY Awards in the late stages of his fight against cancer, live on as the symbolic words of one of the most memorable speeches in recent American history. On Tuesday night, four college basketball teams took part in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City, an annual tradition of keeping the memory alive of the late, great head coach through the game of basketball, as well as raising money for cancer research through the V Foundation. In the first game, No. 18 Purdue shot 59 percent – including hitting 15 of its 27 three-point attempts – in dismantling Arizona State, 97-64. It turned out not to be such a happy homecoming for new Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley, who was a star at St. Anthony High School in nearby Jersey City before becoming one of the all-time great guards in NCAA basketball history and helping to lead Duke to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992.
Speaking of Duke, the Blue Devils took to the floor for the nightcap, as the No. 5 team in America took on No. 24 Florida from the Southeastern Conference. Duke atoned for the loss it suffered inside of the World’s Most Famous Arena last month against Kansas with an 84-74 win, as sophomore Luke Kennard led the Blue Devils with 29 points while redshirt senior Amile Jefferson recorded 24 points and 15 rebounds. We also saw a glimpse of how good Duke’s No. 1 recruiting class could be tonight, as forward Jayson Tatum, only playing in his second-ever college basketball game, scored 22 points in 29 minutes. When all of the freshmen round into form and get in playing shape after recovering from various injuries, including No. 1 overall recruit Harry Giles, the Blue Devils may very well become scary good.
There are 35 photos in this gallery, and, after clicking on one to enlarge, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures.
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Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood
NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson attends the game between Florida and Duke as part of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Once a Dukie, Always a Dukie
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving attends the game between Florida and Duke as part of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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It's the Pits
Duke guard Grayson Allen runs into Florida center John Egbunu during the first half of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader inside of Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Gimme The Rock
Florida center John Egbunu grabs a rebound over Duke's Matt Jones during the first half in the second game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Now What?
Duke guard Luke Kennard is checked by both John Egbunu (15) and Justin Leon during the first half of the second game of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Double The Pleasure
Duke forward Amile Jefferson, who had 24 points and 15 rebounds, attacks the basket in the first half against the Florida Gators as part of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Denied!
Duke forward Jayson Tatum (0) has his shot blocked by Florida center John Egbunu during the first half of the second game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Let's Be Frank
Duke guard Frank Jackson attempts a three-pointer during the first half against the Florida Gators in the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Climbing the Ladder
Duke guard Grayson Allen bumps into Florida center John Egbunu in the first half of the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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By Hook or By Crook...
Duke forward Amile Jefferson tries a jump hook over Florida forward Justin Leon in the first half of the second game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Cool Hand Luke
Duke guard Luke Kennard drives on Florida guard Chris Chiozza during the first half of the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic inside of Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Now You See Me...
Duke guard Luke Kennard starts to drive towards the basket after using a pump fake on Florida guard Chris Chiozza during the first half of the second game of the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 6, 2016 at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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And We're Movin' on Up!
Duke forward Amile Jefferson dunks the ball in the first half against the Florida Gators during the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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I'll Pass on This One
Duke guard Grayson Allen attempts to pass the ball during the first half against the Florida Gators in the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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A Broadway Debut
Duke freshman forward Jayson Tatum looks to shoot over a couple of Florida Gators defenders during the first half of the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Fresh Face
Duke freshman Jayson Tatum shoots over Florida's Devin Robinson (1) and John Egbunu during the first half of the second game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Let's Hug it Out
Florida center John Egbunu is fouled by Duke guard Matt Jones during the second half of the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Open Mike
Florida head coach Mike White kneels on the sidelines during the Gators' game against the Duke Blue Devils as part of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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No Fear
Florida guard Chris Chiozza drives into Duke guard Grayson Allen during the second half of the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Let's Get Fancy
Florida guard Chris Chiozza tries an up-and-under move on Duke guard Grayson Allen during the second half of the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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It's Getting Crowded in Here
Florida guard Kasey Hill drives into the lane and runs into Duke forward Amile Jefferson during the second half of the second game of the Jimmy V Classic in Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Stone Cold
Florida forward Keith Stone attempts a three-pointer in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic inside Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Five Alive
Florida guard KeVaughn Allen, who led the Gators with 23 points, shoots over Duke's Luke Kennard during the second half in the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Eyes on the Goal
Arizona State guard Sam Cunliffe attempts a three-pointer during the second half of the Sun Devils' game against Purdue in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Attack Mode
Purdue forward Vincent Edwards hangs in the air as he attacks the basket against Arizona State during the first game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Scoop to the Hoop
Purdue guard P.J. Thompson drives to the basket against Arizona State during the first game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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My, You're Big...
Purdue center Isaac Haas posts up on Arizona State forward Ramon Vila during the second half of the first game of the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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...Really Big!
Purdue's 7-foot-2 center Isaac Haas looks to shoot over Arizona State forward Ramon Vila during the first game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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They Say It's Free
Arizona State guard Kodi Justice attempts a free throw in the first half against Purdue during the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Drive Time
Arizona State guard Shannon Evans II drives to the basket against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Up and Over
Purdue forward Caleb Swanigan attempts a layup over Arizona State's Obinna Oleka during the second half of the first Jimmy V Classic game at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Top of the Heap
Purdue center Isaac Haas passes over Arizona State forward Obinna Oleka during the second half of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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From Long Range
Arizona State guard Kodi Justice attempts a three-pointer over Purdue forward Vincent Edwards during the first half of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Flying High
Purdue forward Basil Smotherman gets set to lay in two points against Arizona State at the Jimmy V Classic in Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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A Long Night
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley sits on the sidelines during his team's game against Purdue during the first game of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Purdue won 97-64. (Photo by Robert Cole)
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