Duke vs. UNC: Austin Rivers' Late-Game Composure Is Remarkable

The sign of a great basketball player is now how good your stats are at the end of the game, but how composed and comfortable you are when the pressure is highest and when winning and losing is hanging in the balance.

Duke freshman point guard Austin Rivers' late-game composure was remarkable against North Carolina last night, and it was a primary reason he was able to down the No. 4 ranked Tar Heels with a buzzer-beating game-winner. Rivers told ESPN:

"

I swear the ball was in the air for like 10 minutes. My heart dropped. I shot it with confidence, but when I was walking back it looked good and I was like, 'Please go in.' 

When it went in, my heart jumped. It was the best feeling I've ever had in my life.

"

Rivers showed great patience as he got himself in a comfortable position to attempt the game-winning three-point shot over Carolina center Tyler Zeller.

The Duke freshman finished with 29 points in the biggest game of his life against the Blue Devils' most hated rival and with his dad, Doc Rivers, sitting in the stands at Chapel Hill.

Rivers' exceptional skill set of ball-handling, shooting and poise is remarkable for a player his age and it will make him a lottery pick, likely in the top 10, if he decides to leave Duke in the spring and declare for the 2012 NBA Draft.

But for now, Duke can take comfort in the fact their most talented player and most talked-about freshman in years is able to shine on the brightest stage.

Rivers was going to take the last shot and did not appear to be fazed by the possibility of failure if he missed the shot. 

Being able to stay composed in the most high-pressure moments is something that even great players like LeBron James simply don't have. Rivers, despite it being the first big moment of his young collegiate career, has led us to believe he's not afraid of having the outcome of the game in his hands.

This type of courage and late-game composure from a freshman is truly remarkable.

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