Duke basketball started off hot in March Madness with a one-sided beating of Oral Roberts in the first round. However, in the face of a stronger rival, they floundered and ended up getting embarrassed once again.

The Blue Devils took on the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round and were quickly handed a return ticket home, with Olivier Nkamhoua dominating from start to finish with a 27-point explosion. Duke simply didn't have enough firepower, with Tyrese Proctor finishing as the team's leading scorer with 16. Jeremy Roach, who had 23 against Oral Roberts, recorded only 13 points as he struggled against a tight Volunteers defense.

Sure enough, college hoops fans were quick to criticize and mock the fifth-seeded Duke side for its horrific showing in the 65-52 loss. There were high expectations that they could put up a better fight amid a 10-game winning streak overall, but it couldn't have been more different. Not only did they allow Tennessee to have their way on offense, but they also failed to respond to their rivals' physicality on the defensive end.

Duke's 52 points is their fewest points scored in an NCAA Tournament game ever, per CBS Sports.

Here are some of the best reactions on the game:

Duke made it all the way to the Final Four last year, so it is quite disappointing that the team didn't even make it to the Sweet 16 this time around. It's March Madness indeed.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Jeremy Roach, Kentucky basketball, Duke basketball, Wildcats, transfer portal, Jeremy Roach and Kentucky logo with Kentucky basketball arena in the background

Scotty White ·

Duke basketball, Blue Devils, Jeremy Roach, NBA Draft, Transfer portal, Jeremy Roach with Duke basketball arena in the background

Scotty White ·

Duke basketball guards Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor

Alex House ·

While Jon Scheyer did lead Duke basketball to the NCAA Tournament in his first year, there's no denying that it is still not the result he wanted for his team. Not even close.