The Blue Devils have had the week off to rest and get some things righted as they are an unusual 4-4 after 8 games in conference play. Duke still has a strong RPI (27) and really at this time is no threat of missing the NCAAT. Having said that, they can't afford to lose games like at struggling Ga Tech, who they have dominated over the years. Tech (69th in the current RPI) however is mutually viewed by pretty much everyone in the conference as a "dangerous" team. A team that will battle you for 40 minutes, keep the game close (as Tech did at Cameron Indoor during Duke's national title season a year ago), and with a break or two late in the game could surprise you.
Duke has lost 4 of its last 5 after opening the conference schedule with 3 straight wins. This AP article suggests Duke is in its worst slump since 2007... http://sports.yahoo.com/news/no-24-duke-looking-break-worst-slump-since-223734764--ncaab.html
But, who are we kidding here? They are bringing high school All-Americans off the bench. After this game, Duke has a chance to get on a bit of a roll at home, though the competition will be fierce as all conference games not involving Boston College will be this season. They return home to face NC State, Louisville and Virginia before traveling to UNC and Louisville.
Duke is of course led by 6'5" Sophomore Guard Grayson Allen, who is averaging scoring 20.3 ppg. Duke has 5 guys averaging scoring in double figures and 4 guys who are hitting 39% or better from outside the arc. Allen is the least of those 4 at 39%...the other three (Ingram, Jones and Thornton) are all at 40% or better.
Duke is 9th in the nation in scoring per game at 84.9 ppg. They distribute the ball really well around the perimeter and as usual have terrific spacing on the floor offensively. Plumlee gets a lot of room to move around and gather garbage baskets off the misses they have as well as the help defending leaving him open for easy pass catches and finishes when defenders are beat on drives. Tech obviously must defend the perimeter and hope Duke doesn't get hot from deep. If they do, it will be lights out. Having said that, Tech should offensively have an advantage in the post.
When the point spreads are released later today, I expect the Devils to open around 5 point favorites. If Tech wins, I'm sure Ratface's back will start hurting even worse. Expect as usual for all the close calls to go Duke's way. Tech will have to be about 10 points better than Duke most likely. As usual, there will be a lot of blue in the Enormous Melon late Tuesday night. Hopefully our guys and fans will quiet theirs. This is the start of a stretch where Tech plays 5 of the next 7 at home and the next 3 at home. The 2 roadies sandwiched in between are winnable games at Clemson and FSU. Getting February off to a good start with a home win over Duke could do wonders for this team and season.
Duke leads the all-time series, 69-23. Also, they are 26-15 at Tech. Tech has lost 8 straight in the series as well as 12 of the last 13, and 29 of the last 32. The last time Tech hosted Duke when Duke was not ranked was Feb. 7, 1996. Tech won 73-71 in overtime. Tech went on to win its only regular season conference "title" that 1996 season behind Harpring and Marbury. Note, we played Duke in 2007 at Cameron Indoor when Duke was not ranked and lost by 9. Tech lost at Duke a season ago by 6 pts when the Devils were ranked 4th in the nation.
Duke has lost 4 of its last 5 after opening the conference schedule with 3 straight wins. This AP article suggests Duke is in its worst slump since 2007... http://sports.yahoo.com/news/no-24-duke-looking-break-worst-slump-since-223734764--ncaab.html
But, who are we kidding here? They are bringing high school All-Americans off the bench. After this game, Duke has a chance to get on a bit of a roll at home, though the competition will be fierce as all conference games not involving Boston College will be this season. They return home to face NC State, Louisville and Virginia before traveling to UNC and Louisville.
Duke is of course led by 6'5" Sophomore Guard Grayson Allen, who is averaging scoring 20.3 ppg. Duke has 5 guys averaging scoring in double figures and 4 guys who are hitting 39% or better from outside the arc. Allen is the least of those 4 at 39%...the other three (Ingram, Jones and Thornton) are all at 40% or better.
Duke is 9th in the nation in scoring per game at 84.9 ppg. They distribute the ball really well around the perimeter and as usual have terrific spacing on the floor offensively. Plumlee gets a lot of room to move around and gather garbage baskets off the misses they have as well as the help defending leaving him open for easy pass catches and finishes when defenders are beat on drives. Tech obviously must defend the perimeter and hope Duke doesn't get hot from deep. If they do, it will be lights out. Having said that, Tech should offensively have an advantage in the post.
When the point spreads are released later today, I expect the Devils to open around 5 point favorites. If Tech wins, I'm sure Ratface's back will start hurting even worse. Expect as usual for all the close calls to go Duke's way. Tech will have to be about 10 points better than Duke most likely. As usual, there will be a lot of blue in the Enormous Melon late Tuesday night. Hopefully our guys and fans will quiet theirs. This is the start of a stretch where Tech plays 5 of the next 7 at home and the next 3 at home. The 2 roadies sandwiched in between are winnable games at Clemson and FSU. Getting February off to a good start with a home win over Duke could do wonders for this team and season.
Duke leads the all-time series, 69-23. Also, they are 26-15 at Tech. Tech has lost 8 straight in the series as well as 12 of the last 13, and 29 of the last 32. The last time Tech hosted Duke when Duke was not ranked was Feb. 7, 1996. Tech won 73-71 in overtime. Tech went on to win its only regular season conference "title" that 1996 season behind Harpring and Marbury. Note, we played Duke in 2007 at Cameron Indoor when Duke was not ranked and lost by 9. Tech lost at Duke a season ago by 6 pts when the Devils were ranked 4th in the nation.
