Coach Mike Krzyzewski has only squared off against a Hall of Fame coach two times in his illustrious career.
Archrival and former North Carolina coach Dean Smith, whom he had the pleasure of meeting many times, was inducted in 1982, a couple years after Krzyzewski came to Duke.
The second, former Indiana coach and Krzyzewski mentor, Bob Knight, was inducted in 1991, and a year later Krzyzewski barely snuck past him 81-78 in the Final Four.
When the No. 1 Blue Devils (6-0) go up against the unranked Temple Owls (3-2) at 9 p.m. in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Krzyzewski will face his third Hall of Famer in coach John Chaney.
Weighing much more heavily on Krzyzewski's mind, though, is breaking through Temple's famous matchup zone.
"We know they play zone and they're very well-coached," junior Mike Dunleavy said. "We played them twice last year and they've got some of the same players back. They'll come in here and play us tough. It'll be quite a challenge."
Last season, it was quite a challenge for Duke--at least in the first game. While the Blue Devils crushed the Owls 93-68 in the latter contest in Philadelphia, they were only able to squeak by 63-61 in the first game at Madison Square Garden.
The matchup zone, a defense that spreads the offense out wide and makes it difficult to penetrate and almost necessary to shoot from the outside, was the difference between both of last years' games and could be the difference tonight.
In the first game of last season, Duke could not hit from long range, shooting 29.6 percent from behind the arc; however, in the second it shot 56.7 percent.
Tonight, the Blue Devils must improve their three-point shot, which stands at a mediocre 30.5 percent on the year--down 8 percent from last season.
"I've played matchup zone before in high school," Daniel Ewing said. "You just have to be patient with it and take your shots."
The defending national champs must also key in on the Owls' explosive point guard Lynn Greer, who has been on a tear, scoring 47 points on 18-for-38 shooting during Temple's recent victory over the Wisconsin Badgers.
Chris Duhon, who will probably be defending Greer, said he could be lethal when left alone on the perimeter. To diminish the chances for another 47 point outburst, Duhon claims that he will drastically try to cut the number of open looks he gives the senior by playing intensely on the defensive end.
"He's one of the top guards in the country," Duhon said of Greer, someone he played against while trying out for the USA Select Team. "He doesn't get that much respect from everyone, but everyone really doesn't know how good he is."
Aside from guarding Greer, Duhon must adjust to his newly assigned role at the one slot.
Although Krzyzewski said Jason Williams and Duhon would share time playing the point, he has recently changed his mind, letting Duhon bring the ball up, while allowing Williams to draw the defense toward him. The strategy also gives Williams, a guard who likes to penetrate and kick out, some time to rest on offense.
While it does not guarantee Williams will never play point, the new strategy does give more stability to a young team in search of a leader.
"It's now my team," Duhon said. "I think I work better that way, knowing that it's my team and that I can call the shots."
After losing its first two games to top-10 teams Florida and Maryland, Temple is riding a four-game winning streak into Durham. The Owls will also be looking to improve upon Chaney's abysmal 1-5 record against the Blue Devils, which includes a number of losses in the NCAA tournament and two losses last season.
Despite having home court advantage, considering Temple's desire to avenge both of last year's defeats and Chaney's fiery competitiveness, the nation's No. 1 team still has its work cut out.
"It's going to be a tough challenge," Duhon said. "I'm looking forward to it. I love challenges."
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