Duke didn’t go into this game with Appalachian State expecting to be challenged for the victory but they did go in hoping to fix some issues before the matchup with Michigan State. Duke got the win 93-58 and worked some of the kinks off of it’s defense. Duke did have some lapses on defense but overall defended well against the Mountaineers, holding them to 33.3% shooting and out-rebounding App State 45-30 – 28 of Duke’s 45 rebounds were on the defensive end. Duke also created 18 turnovers and had 5 blocked shots.
Duke started the game hot hitting on 3 pointers from Grayson Allen twice, Luke Kennard and Matt Jones. ON the strength of Grayson Allen’s 21 first half point Duke lt at the half 55-34. Allen would not score again in the game, playing with foul trouble and eventually going down in the second half with a foot injury. It wasn’t clear the severity or if it was a re-aggravation of his previous injury.
Duke would not need his scoring in the second half as they cruised to victory 15 from Amile Jefferson and 15 and 18 from Frank Jackson and Luke Kennard respectively. Kennard also added 9 rebounds and Jefferson added 5 assists in the game.
Coach K in his post game presser added that the freshman trio of Giles, Tatum and Bolden would not play in the upcoming Michigan State game.
The Good:
Points in the paint-APP 18,DU 42.
Points off turnovers-APP 10,DU 24
turning the Mountaineers over 18 times
winning the rebounding battle
only turning the ball over 10 times to 14 assists.
holding the App State to under 40% shooting.
The Bad:
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 5-9 55.6% for App State in the first half
Grayson Allen injury status
