Nolan Smith scored a career-high 29 points and top-seeded Duke used a big run late in the game to beat Baylor, 78-71, today in Houston. Duke, the lone No. 1 seed remaining in the tournament, will play in the national semis for the first time since 2004, against East Regional champion West Virginia. The Blue Devils have won 11 of their last 12 regional finals under coach Mike Krzyzewski, but haven't won a national title since 2001.
Jon Scheyer added 20 points to help Duke offset a horrendous game from Kyle Singler, who was 0 for 10 from the field, the first time in his college career he failed to hit a field goal. LaceDarius Dunn had 22 points and Ekpe Udoh 18 for the Bears, who played Duke tough for 35 minutes before finally wilting under the pressure of the ACC champions. Baylor hasn't been to a Final Four since 1950. (More Duke University stories.)