Wildcats forward Richard Jefferson had just sunk a jump shot that fell in courtesy of a shooter's roll to cut his team's deficit to 75-72 at the Metrodome, but the Blue Devils slammed the hammer on Arizona at the other end.

Shane Battier slams one home during the final game of his phenomenal college career.(AP)

Jason Williams worked around Arizona point guard Jason Gardner and zipped a sly pass to Battier, who went up with both hands but cupped the ball in his right and slammed it through the rim to ignite thousands of Duke fans.

That astonishing act took place in a corner of a real indoor stadium that was largely occupied by blue-clad fans of the Devils, and their daunting explosion spelled doom for the Wildcats.

Arizona earlier bounced back from a pair of double-digit deficits to get close to Duke, but Battier's blast -- pumping the Devils' advantage to 77-72 -- was too much. The Wildcats didn't score again.

"He did what an All-America is supposed to do," said Arizona center Loren Woods. "When there's pressure and the game's on the line, he was there to provide his team with whatever it needed. I mean, he played great tonight.

"We were slowing him down at the beginning of the game, but you can only hold a player like that ... to a few shots or a few defensive possessions as long as you can before they just come out and explode."

Battier has claimed every major player-of-the-year award, and he added Final Four Most Outstanding Player to his mantle late Monday night. If he doesn't get the Wooden Award in Los Angeles on Friday night, look for a full-scale federal investigation.

Battier played all 40 minutes against Arizona, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots -- and no turnovers.

He proved he was human by missing half of his 14 shots. He even committed a foul, although Maryland fans Saturday and Arizona fans Monday will probably shake their heads all offseason about perceived "Battier Rules" by officials.

In fact, that might be a catchy title, a takeoff on a book on Michael Jordan largely based on his alleged ability to do no wrong in many referees' eyes, if Battier releases his autobiography anytime soon.

Battier only committed one foul, and it took place with just less than four minutes remaining. In fact, Battier might have committed many more egregious acts during the game than this one.

With four fouls himself, Woods boldly fought for position in the post, instigating contact and gesturing for the ball. He didn't get the ball, but he did get a whistle on Battier.

Battier made up for the indiscretion in a big way, tipping in a missed shot by Mike Dunleavy with his body torqued nearly under the basket -- with his back to the baseline -- and nudging it over the rim with a flick of the back of his right hand.

"It was one of the great plays that I've seen ... in a championship game," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. "I don't see how he could explain that. I think his will to win, his will to keep us ahead somehow made his ... he had an out-of-body experience or something.

"It was really an amazing play. I mean, I had perfect vision. I didn't see how it was possible to make that play."

Then Battier brought the house down with his thunderous slam dunk.

"The thing with Duke, you pick your poison," said Arizona coach Lute Olson. "But the one consistent thing is that Shane Battier is going to have a great game. He just makes things happen. I don't think there's any question in anyone's mind about him being player of the year."

In fact, the country's best college basketball player said his fuel tank was empty in the second half.

"I was completely exhausted," Battier said. "I'm a firm believer in guardian angels. A couple of moves I made down the stretch, I firmly believe my two angels were helping me."

Rename the autobiography It's a Wonderful Life.

"Our team won 133 games and lost 15 (with Battier). Are you kidding me?" Krzyzewski said. "He's become a great player, probably the most recognized kid playing college basketball. He deserves that. He'll reap whatever rewards there are, but I don't think he stayed (a fourth season) for those rewards.

"He stayed because he loves college and he wanted to develop in all ways."

Battier was determined to be an instrumental figure in getting Krzyzewski his third NCAA championship, and in familiar territory.

In 1992, Duke went through Greensboro, N.C., and Philadelphia before getting Krzyzewski his second title in as many seasons. The Devils completed the same Greensboro-Philadelphia-Minneapolis run to a crown Monday.

"I don't know if words could really put my feelings down," Battier said. "Coach is such a tremendous influence on my life. To give him his third championship, and separate him from the pack that has won two, is the best way I could go out.

"It's my going-away present to him. Coach is the best. He's a mentor. He's a friend. He's a coach. He's a brother. I am the luckier person to have the relationship with him for the last four years."

Battier actually committed three fouls and turned it over twice Saturday, but his game-best 25 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, two steals and two assists foiled Maryland in Duke's 95-84 victory.

Only Battier played every second of a possible 80 minutes Saturday and Monday.

"I know from being in this tournament that your big-time players are going to have to play 36 to 40 minutes if you're going to win," Krzyzewski said. "Why would I not condition my guys to do that during the year? So he was conditioned to do it. He knows how to play tired, and he knows how to think tired."

And Shane Battier knows how to make the players on the other team tired, dejected and defeated.