WASHINGTON — Zion Williamson scanned the Duke locker room. He saw tears in his teammates’ eyes. The end to this memorable season had arrived. The end to this team was painfully clear, too.

“You just think this group probably never will play together [again],” the almost-certain No. 1 pick in June’s NBA draft said.

Williamson, the likely National Player of the Year, hinted at the obvious, saying it’s a “high possibility” he leaves for the NBA, following top-seeded Duke’s heartbreaking 68-67 loss to No. 2 Michigan State in a classic East Region final. Teammates RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, projected top-10 picks as well, both will likely follow suit. Tre Jones could as well. That’s what made falling one point shy of the Final Four that much more painful.

This team was put together knowing it had this one chance. It was all there for the Blue Devils. They held a nine-point lead in the first half, a three-point lead with 1:44 to go. Even after Michigan State went ahead on a Kenny Goins 3-pointer with 34.3 seconds left, Barrett was sent to the free-throw line with 5.2 seconds left. But he missed the first, and when he tried to miss the second, it dropped. The Blue Devils (32-6) wouldn’t have another chance. The ball didn’t bounce their way like it had in their previous two thrilling victories.

“They’ve handled things so beautifully,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said, referring to the pressure and the hype the group navigated as the overwhelming favorite since November. “I feel bad for them. They’re deserving of, like, special things and they have had a special year. But this not going to the Final Four is obviously a huge disappointment for us.”

Duke could have the top two picks in the draft in Williamson and Barrett, though Murray State point guard Ja Morant may be taken between the two. Williamson, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound freak of an athlete who took the nation by storm, went out just as he came in, by wowing everyone following his exploits. Despite dealing with Michigan State’s physical and experienced front line, he still scored 24 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked three shots and added three steals. He even hit a pair of 3-pointers. But over the final 6:42, he attempted just one shot, which he made, and did commit five turnovers in the game.