Duke played their first exhibition games against the Canadian Ryerson Rams and like most games in August it was a mixed bag. While Duke took the game 86-67 there isn’t much one can truly glean from the first game, with FIBA rules and missing 2 starters but there was still a lot to like. Coach K was not kidding when … Read More
Duke Falls Short of the Final Four; Jayhawks Win in Overtime 85-81
All good things must come to an end and Duke’s journey this season ends a few wins shy of the goal with the Kansas Jayhawks moving on to the final four. Kansas moves on with an 85-81 victory over the young Blue Devils in an overtime classic. In the end Kansas was able to get stops against the Blue Devils … Read More
Duke Survives Gutty Syracuse 69-65 to Advance to the Elite 8; Bagley III Scores 19, Carter Jr. Notches 16th Double-Double of the Season
Everyone knew coming into Duke vs Syracuse Part II: Game of Zones that this would be a low scoring affair and a game that would come down to the final few possessions. The game was an ebb and flow of momentum 40 minutes and neither team gave much more than an inch. Duke came in looking to have much more … Read More
Marvin Bagley’s Historic Night Fuels the Blue Devils Over the Irish 88-70
There is always a measure of trepidation when Duke has to play Notre Dame. Mike Brey has had Duke’s number but Duke has taken the last 4 games against the Irish including tonight’s 88-70 win against an older more experienced Notre Dame team. Grayson Allen flipped a switch in the first half and got the ball rolling for the Devils … Read More
Duke Uses 20 Point Swing to Power Through UNC 74-64 on Senior Day; Duval with 6 assists, 0 Turnovers; Bagley III with 21 & 15
Duke avenges their earlier defeat at UNC 74-64 on Grayson Allen’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. There was an added intensity and emotion in this iteration of Duke and UNC; not just senior night for Grayson Allen but the 2 seed position on the line in the ACC Tournament…and obviously it’s Duke – UNC. It was a tale of … Read More
Duke Squeezes the Orange in Bagley’s Return 60-44
For a fourth straight game Duke held an opponent to below 60 points. I dont think we need Kenpom stats to know that Duke has improved a tremendous amount on defense. There were a plethora of subplots in Duke’s 60-44 victory against the Syracuse Orange on Saturday night. Firstly the return of freshman star Marvin Bagley III. Marvin Bagley III … Read More
#5 Duke Rolls in Cameron, Knocks off Louisville 82-56; Grayson Allen Explodes for 28, Wendell Carter Scores 18
I was curious as to which Louisville team would show up in Cameron Indoor Stadium Wednesday night. The team that has played well this season despite the turmoil surrounding them or a team with a chip on their collective shoulders fresh off of an NCAA banner stripping. In the end it would only matter which Duke team showed up. Duke … Read More
In a Battle of top 15 Teams, Duke Holds off Late Clemson Run on the Road 66-57; Grayson Allen Scores 19; Double-Double for Wendell Carter Jr.
Duke in a surprising battle on the defensive end upends number 11 ranked Clemson 66-57. Duke since going with zone defense as their primary defense has rattled off 3 straight wins. Clemson played the Blue Devils tough, even without 2 of their best players Shelton Mitchell and Donte Grantham were missing from the Clemson lineup. Grantham lost for the year … Read More
Duke Heats up and Downs Virginia Tech 74-52; Grayson Allen Scores 25, Wendell Carter Jr. Notches a Double-Double
The first 9 minutes were a struggling for Duke, even at home, against the Virginia Tech Hokies. In fact the Blue Devils turned it over 7 times in that time period. Keeping Virginia Tech within striking distance of the lead, Duke turnovers accounted for 11 of Virginia Techs 28 points at the half. Duke spent the next 11 minutes only … Read More
Duke Wins at Georgia Tech 80-69; Grayson Allen Scores 23, Wendell Carter Jr. Scores 19
For most of Duke’s 80-69 victory over Georgia Tech Duke looked like a team worthy of top 15 ranking, pushing the lead over the Yellow Jackets to 26 at one point. As per usual with Coach K’s latest crop of young Devils, the second half happens. It’s not clear whether this Duke team simply lacks a killer instinct, whether they … Read More