The Blue Devils didn’t get a lot of game pressure from the Hurricanes in their game in Miami and coasted to a 97-60 victory. The thoughts of Blue Devil fans rest with the knee of junior guard Tyrese Proctor, who landed awkwardly running back in transition defense in the first half. Proctor didn’t return to the game and left the arena on crutches. Not much else is currently known. What looked like a hyperextension just from the video could be virtually anything. It looked like a non-contact injury, but Coach Scheyer in his post game presser said his knee was bumped into or hit. Duke fans will wait with bated breath to see the results of the Proctor imaging that should happen sometime today, it’s unlikely we’ll hear much, but all eyes are on Durham for the results.
As for the game, freshman Kon Knueppel led the Blue Devils in scoring with 20 on 6 of 8 shooting and 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Duke got an electric first half performance from Isaiah Evans who hit 5 of 6 from 3 point range, scoring all 16 of his points in the first stanza. Cooper Flagg, added 16 points on 6-9 shooting with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. The Blue Devils also got 10 points off the bench from sophomore Caleb Foster and 9 from center Patrick Ngongba.
The Blue Devils shot a scorching 60% from 3-point range and 50% overall, while holding Miami to just 20% from 3 and 39% overall. It wasn’t the cleanest game for the Blue Devils who did surrender 10 turnovers that lead to 13 Miami points. The Blue Devils also didn’t rebound the basketball effectively, losing that battle 30 to 28 – including 13 offensive rebounds that lead to 10 second chance points for the Hurricanes.
DUKE HEAD COACH JON SCHEYER
Opening Statement:
“I thought it was a workman-like performance by our team. Credit Miami, they were crashing the boards like crazy in that first half, they had 11 [offensive rebounds]. To only hold them to two in the second half, to me, that was the difference. Our guys, it’s been three road games. We played in a neutral game in New York, but for us to get three road wins, Isaiah [Evans], the way that he had it going in the first half was a big thing for our team. Happy for Tyrese [Proctor] getting his 1,000th point. I know he didn’t want to get it in this fashion. We have to get him back [home], get x-rays and an MRI. He got hit in the leg. That’s the extent of what I know, and we’ll get him looked at and taken care of. Great performance. Proud of these guys. For freshmen, they just have such a maturity and serious approach. It’s really fun to coach these guys because of that. Proud of the win.”
On his decision to start Isaiah Evans in the second half and if that’s the path forward pending Proctor’s injury:
“Isaiah has established himself with what he’s done. It’s easy to talk about the shooting. His defense has been off the charts. He’s guarding the ball as well as anybody. He knows exactly where to be. You asked about a few games before, I could have helped them better. That’s part of the journey we’re on together. It goes both ways. I’m just proud of Isaiah for his resiliency, his belief in himself, and the way that he’s worked. He’s taken coaching every step of the way. Taking coaching on what it takes to be really good now, but also, down the line. Isaiah, with what he’s done, it was a no brainer. He’s established himself in that role. With Tyrese, obviously, coming right off, but yeah, he’s going to be in there.”
On how the team can challenge themselves to get more out of the group:
“I just think our mission is bigger. It’s easy, I think these guys would tell you – do I not find stuff every game? In the first half, I thought [Miami] missed some open looks, and some of that was our talk. Obviously, the offensive rebounds, that can’t happen. You have to have great humility in this. It’s delicate. It can change very quickly. I love the killer instinct that our team has had. I love the approach to each game. They haven’t big-timed anything. We know what’s ahead. We know the battles we’re going to be in. We know it can happen any night. That’s the way I’m going to coach, and that’s the way I want these guys to approach every game.”
On what he enjoys about coaching Kon Knueppel:
“Kon is incredibly hard on himself. It’s fun coaching a guy where it’s not about the scoring. He’s pissed if he’s not in, if he didn’t get a rebound, if he missed somebody on a pass. He understands what other people could consider small things, to the game. He understands the value of all those plays. It’s fun coaching him. Because you tell him about the block out and he has value with blocking out. These guys are so efficient with what they do.”
DUKE FRESHMAN GUARD/FORWARD ISAIAH EVANS
On what has worked so well for him on offense the last three games:
“Just staying consistent with my preparation. Each week, working with Coach [Emanuel] Dildy, getting the same reps over and over again. Working on my defense and preparing to hit the same shots.”
On if he’s worked on anything recently to increase his scoring output:
“It’s just repetition. Each game is different. It’s basketball, you know stuff like that is going to happen. You’ve just got to trust yourself at the end of the day.”
On what his thought process is with a quick shooting release:
“There is no real thought process. When you shoot so many jumpers, it’s automatic. People make jokes that my shot is automatic but when you actually rep it out, it’s like that. You don’t want to think about it, just shoot your form and if it goes in, it goes in.”
