Over the last few weeks, the women's basketball team has shown that it has quite a few different weapons.
With a different person leading the team in scoring every game, the Blue Devils have become a difficult team to scout. But even with all of this firepower, Duke's biggest weapon appears to be its memory.
In the past two games the Blue Devils have avenged large early season losses against Virginia and Maryland.
Two weekends ago Duke went up to Virginia and earned respect in a hard-fought loss. Friday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium Duke gained even more than respect as it edged out Maryland to even the season series at one apiece.
Duke would like to keep up this vengeance theme tonight as it travels down 15-501 to face the fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in Carmichael Auditorium at 7 p.m. In their first matchup of the season in Cameron, UNC (22-2 overall, 12-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) beat Duke (16-7,7-6) 79-68 in a game that saw Duke stay close until the final minutes.
"In the first game we took a lead with seven minutes left," said head coach Gail Goestenkors. "We just failed to execute down the stretch. We didn't box out and we had too many turnovers. We have to take care of the basketball and still be aggressive."
In the first meeting of these teams Duke turned the ball over 27 times compared to only 16 for the Tar Heels. Duke hopes to reverse this trend tonight and seems to be doing a good job of that lately. Against Maryland Friday night, Duke point guards Missy Anderson and Kira Orr played a combined 43 minutes, but committed only four turnovers. If Duke is to win, the ball needs to be handled responsibly at the point position.
"Starting with us we have to take care of the ball," Orr said. "We have to get the offense going and set the tone for the game. I think that it will be a tough game, they have good defensive pressure. We have to be patient and not get flustered."
UNC and Duke are two teams of contrasting -- almost completely opposite -- styles. Carolina will be the team with the tough defensive and great athletic ability. Duke will be attempting to pound it inside with good ball handling and passing on the perimeter. Both teams will be playing with a lot of heart.
The Blue Devils are still looking for that big win to push them into the NCAA Tournament, while UNC is watching its back as Clemson is coming on strong for the second seed in the ACC Tournament.
"Both teams will be ready," Goestenkors said. "It will be a very physical game, they are a physical and athletic team. They have great speed and quickness."
Duke realizes that this game could have important consequences, but it is just trying to stay focused on Carolina. A quick look back at the last seven minutes of this season's first meeting and the fact that the Blue Devils have lost five straight to the Tar Heels should be enough to get Duke in the mood to change history.
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