Preview: Duke Blue Devils (15-4, 6-2 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech (13-7, 5-4 ACC)
Monday, Jan. 29 • 7:00 p.m. ET
Cassell Coliseum (8,925) • Blacksburg, VA
After an emotional last second win against Clemson at home the Blue Devils have a quick turnaround in Blacksburg against Virginia Tech.
Series & Game Info
Series
Overall Duke leads, 52-13
In Durham, NC Duke leads, 23-1
at Cameron Indoor Stadium Duke leads, 19-1
In Blacksburg, VA Duke leads, 13-9
at Cassell Coliseum Tied, 7-7
Neutral Sites Duke leads, 12-2
Last Meeting @Duke 81, VT 65 (Feb. 25, 2023)
Game Info
TV/Video Stream ESPN
Play-by-Play Dave O’Brien
Analyst Cory Alexander
Sideline Angel Gray
Producer Kim Belton
Radio Blue Devil Sports Net.
Play-by-Play David Shumate
Analyst John Roth
Engineer John Rose
In Durham 96.5 FM & 620 AM
SiriusXM 84
The Teams
Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech boasts a 10-1 record at home, including a 4-1 mark in ACC play. They are 13-7 overall and 5-4 in conference. The Hokies are second in the nation with an ACC-best free throw percentage of 80.3%.
The Hokies have 9 players averaging in double-figures in minutes and their top three scorers are all upperclassmen with junior guard Sean Pedulla (15.7 ppg), senior center Lynn Kidd (14.0) and graduate guard Hunter Cattoor (13.7). Virginia Tech senior center Lynn Kidd tops the ACC and ranks fifth nationally in field goal percentage (66.3%) he also leads the Hokies in rebounding at 6.6 per game.
Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils enter Big Monday with an overall 15-4 record and a 6-2 conference record after a narrow victory against Clemson at home on Saturday. Duke ranks ninth nationally in fewest turnovers (9.2 per game) and 10th in assist/turnover ratio (1.73). According to KenPom, the Blue Devils currently have the sixth-lowest turnover percentage nationally, coming in at 13.3%.
Kyle Filipowski ranks seventh in scoring (17.7 ppg), fourth in rebounding (8.7 rpg), third in blocked shots (2.0 bpg) and seventh in field goal percentage (.498). Filipowski leads the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Jared McCain posted a game-high 21 points in Duke’s 72-71 home victory over Clemson on Saturday. He has scored 20 points or more in five of the last 11 games. The freshman guard also recorded 3 crucial steals in the narrow victory. McCain is averaging 12.5 points per game.
Jeremy Roach tops the ACC and ranks 11th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (3.44), while Tyrese Proctor is positioned third in the conference and 33rd nationally (2.90). Roach is second on the team in scoring per game at 13.8. Tyrese Proctor has scored at least 10 points in each of Duke’s last four games, averaging 17.5 points across that stretch. Proctor is averaging 11.1 points and 3.8 assists per game to lead Duke. Proctor has connected on four 3-pointers in back-to-back games, matching his career-high for 3-pointers made. Duke is 9-0 when the sophomore has drained three or more triples in a game during his career. Mark Mitchell rounds out the double-figure scores at 12.8 points per game to go along with his 6 rebounds, good for second on the team.
Stats Comparison
| G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 19 | 40.0 | 28.3 | 59.1 | .479 | 19.9 | 37.2 | .536 | 8.3 | 21.8 | .381 | 16.4 | 22.2 | .737 | 9.6 | 26.2 | 35.8 | 15.8 | 7.1 | 4.0 | 9.2 | 15.7 | 81.2 |
| Virginia Tech | 20 | 40.0 | 25.4 | 54.5 | .466 | 17.0 | 31.4 | .541 | 8.5 | 23.1 | .366 | 15.5 | 19.3 | .803 | 8.0 | 25.7 | 33.6 | 15.5 | 5.4 | 2.8 | 12.3 | 15.9 | 74.7 |
Stats Comparison (Conference)
| G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 8 | 40.0 | 25.8 | 57.8 | .446 | 17.0 | 35.4 | .481 | 8.8 | 22.4 | .391 | 16.1 | 22.4 | .721 | 8.4 | 24.3 | 32.6 | 13.8 | 7.3 | 4.3 | 9.0 | 15.8 | 76.4 |
| Virginia Tech | 9 | 40.0 | 26.3 | 54.1 | .487 | 17.0 | 30.3 | .560 | 9.3 | 23.8 | .393 | 13.3 | 16.2 | .822 | 5.2 | 24.4 | 29.7 | 15.0 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 13.1 | 16.4 | 75.3 |
Projected Lineup
Duke Blue Devils
G Jeremy Roach 6’2, 180lbs SR
G Caleb Foster 6’5, 197lbs FR
G Jared McCain 6’3, 197lbs FR
F Mark Mitchell 6’9, 232lbs SO
C Kyle Filipowski 7’0, 248lbs SO
Virginia Tech Hokies
G Sean Pedulla 6’1, 195lbs JR
G Hunter Cattoor 6’3, 200lbs GR
G MJ Collins 6’4, 195lbs SO
F Robbie Beran 6’9, 215lbs GR
C Lynn Kidd 6’10, 235lbs SR
Thoughts
The Hokies have 9 players averaging double-figure minutes and lately have utilized their front-court exceedingly well. Look for Robbie Beran and Mylyjael Poteat to work the post and open things up for their two snipers from outside in Sean Pedulla and Hunter Cattoor. Coming off of screens, curls and at the end of the shot clock both guys are dangerous. Duke’s guards, especially the freshmen have had issues guarding shooters out on the perimeter Duke will have to shore that up tonight. It’s going to take complete discipline – and if Duke is playing a switching defense the non-guards must close under control with hands up. Force them into tough 2 point shots and not give them 3 shot opportunities at the free throw line.
The Blue Devils need to bring their energy, Cassell is a tough enough place to play without the Blue Devils playing another game passively. There was a complete lack of aggression in the Clemson game that didn’t seem to change until the waning moments. Just being happy to be there isn’t going to cut it – Duke has to play like they are hunting.
- Defend without fouling
- Disciplined perimeter defense – close under control, don’t lose shooters
- Backdoor cuts
- Energy
