Preview: Duke Blue Devils vs the Syracuse Orange

January 14, 7:00PM
Cameron Indoor Stadium
ESPN

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Syracuse enters Cameron Indoor Stadium with an overall record of 11-5, 2 and 1 in the ACC, winning at Notre Dame and home against Clemson and losing at home to Georgia Tech last time out. Former Duke recruit Tyus Battle leads the Orange in scoring at 17.1 per game, Frank Howard leads the team in assists at 3.7 per game and Oshae Brissett is the leading rebounder at 8.1 a game to go along with his 13.9 points.

The Blue Devils enter Monday on a 9 game winning streak having just beaten the 13th ranked Florida State Seminoles by 2 on a last second Cam Reddish 3 pointer. The Blue Devils are 3 and 0 in the ACC and 14-1 overall. R.J. Barrett leads the team in scoring at23.4 per game to go along with 3.8 assists and 6.3 rebounds. Zion Williamson leads the Blue Devils in rebounding at9.4 per game and scores at a 20.3 a game clip. Tre Jones is the assist leader for the Blue Devils with 5.9 a game.

Playing against the Syracuse Orange is never an easy task. You know what you are going to get but knowing what it is isn't always comforting. You know with the Cute you are going to get length, you know your are going to get the patented Boeheim 2-3 zone. Sure at times Duke has seen some zone looks this season but not a zone with the aplomb that a Syracuse can execute it. There are several ways in which Duke can combat the 2-3 zone but starts with basics:

1. Being strong with the ball
2. Being crips and deliberate with passes
3. Taking good shots in rhythm

There are several strategies aside from that that the Blue Devils can utilize to beat the zone as well:

1. Making outside shots (especially from 3 point range or free throw area)
2. Attacking the gaps in the zone (this bodes well for Duke with the passing and slashing ability they have on offense)
3. playing as few possessions as possible against the set offense (If Duke can turn the Orange over and get out into transition it will limit the effectiveness of the zone, especially if Syracuse is playing from a deficit.
4. Also putting a good passer in the middle of the zone - this gives the offense options and the ability to collapse the defense and get good shots for themselves or others on the perimeter.

The Series So Far:

Overall: 13th meeting; Duke leads, 7-5
In Durham: Duke leads, 3-1
In Syracuse: Syracuse leads, 2-1
At neutral sites: Duke leads, 3-2
Current streak: Duke, W2
Coach K vs. Syracuse: 6-4

Media Info:

TV: ESPN (Sean McDonough/Jay Bilas/Allison Williams)
WatchESPN: (Click)
Radio: Blue Devil IMG Sports Network (David Shumate/John Roth)
National Radio: Westwood One (Kevin Kugler/Eric Montross)
Sirius/XM: 84 / 84 (Duke broadcast)

Duke Probable Starters

• G Tre Jones 6'2, 183lbs
• F R.J. Barrett 6'7, 202lbs
• F Cam Reddish 6'8, 218lbs
• F Zion Williamson 6'7, 285lbs
• C Javin DeLaurier 6'10, 234lbs

Syracuse Probable Starters

• G Tyus Battle 6'6, 205lbs
• G Frank Howard 6'5, 205lbs
• G Elijah Hughes 6'6, 215lbs
• F Oshae Brissett 6'8, 210lbs
• F Marek Dolezaj, 6'10, 180lbs