For the third straight game Andre Dawkins has been impressing the Duke coaching staff. whether it was his improved defense versus Virgina, lights out shooting at Clemson or last nights first half onslaught from beyond the arc. Dawkins was able to nearly single handedly give Duke the lead it needed to be able to play comfortably the rest of the game. Dawkins connected on 7 three pointers in the first half and showed why he is one of the most feared shooters in the country. The thing is, Andre is capable of doing this every night, the coaching staff is looking for that consistency from Dawkins because as showed in the second half it opens up the floor for everyone else to succeed. Dawkins ended the day 7 of 13 only taking 1 shot in the second half. Which was fine because it was time for Austin Rivers to take a turn.
Perhaps motivated by losing his starting position, Rivers was a lot more aggressive, yet still let the game come to him. Rivers scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half off of drives to the basket, the free throw line and some three pointers that he was lucky to land, but as Wake will attest when it rains it pours and Duke was clicking on all cylinders.
Adding to the scoring onslaught was Ryan Kelly who added 20 points in probably his best game of the season. Kelly came out with fire and desire and seemed to shake off the mistake prone games from a couple of games back. Kelly also dished out 4 assists to only 1 turnover.
Seth Curry also had a good came hitting some nice shots coming off of screens and off layups knifing through the porous Wake defense. Curry added 14 points and 2 assists in 19 minutes.
All in all Duke played well, albeit against Wake. The offense was crisp, defensively there were still lapses, gaps and missed assignments but its a win, and its something to build off of. With Florida State coming into Cameron Indoor points will be at a premium.
