(CONTINUED)

 

     “There were a lot of different reasons I decided to play,” he said. “No. 1, it gave me a chance to get another degree at Duke. Not many get that chance, let alone even one.
    “Two degrees here is a special thing. And, obviously, I wanted to come out and play with the guys in this locker room and be with them another year. I didn’t want to be sitting retuired in my 40s and look back and day I was an idiot for not doing that.
    “There were a lot of logistics behind (coming back), but I did a lot of things in a short period of time and, God willing, it all worked out.”
    Besides getting the extra year of eligibility, the game has added meaning since Hopkins is the team that bested Duke in the finals last year, 12-11, and also in 2005, 9-8. McDevitt also believes he’s much more ready to perform now that the knee he injured last year in Game 1 is healthy.
    “For me personally, its like a 180 degree turnaround,” McDevitt said. “Last year I played hurt the entire year. I tore my meniscus in the first game and I wasn’t the same player.
    “This year has been great for me. I have gotten some closure and I feel I am playing on the top of my game."