Knowing that exam season time generally brings a regression in sharpness and lackluster performances one has to grade these Blue Devils on a curve. It presents unique challenges for a coaching staff to keep teams focused and playing at a high level. This young Blue Devil team has had stretches during their past few games they have looked less than stellar.
Duke started game at home against Princeton 0 for 8, with 2 turnovers and didn’t score a basket until nearly 5 minutes into the game. Duke turned an 8 to nothing deficit into a 13 point half time lead before taking flight in the second half.
Duke began the second half on a 30 to 12 run, stepping up their defensive intensity and also performing much better in half court sets (something Duke didn’t do particularly well i the first half). The Blue Devils continued the offensive onslaught scoring 62 points in the second half on their way to a 101 to 50 victory.
Freshman R.J. Barrett scored a game high 27 points on 11 of 21 shooting. Duke also got double figure efforts from Zion Williamson, who scored 17 points and 10 rebounds (recording his fourth career double-double), and Alex O’Connell and Jack White scored 10 points a piece. Tre Jones recorded his fourth turnover-free game this season, including three in the last five with 6 assists and zero turnovers. Jones has 29 assists and four turnovers over Duke’s last five games.
The Good:
- 84% shooting from the free throw line
- 62 point explosion in the second half
- 50% shooting from beyond the arc in the second half
- only 4 second half turnovers
- 39 points from the bench
The Bad:
- 4-14 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half
- 7 first half turnovers
