Nine wins, no losses heading into Clemson last season.
93-75.
Nine wins, one loss leaving Clemson.
"We have not had the best of records down there," senior guard Krista Gingrich noted, having seen both nine- and 13-game winning streaks disappear into the South Carolinian muck. "Littlejohn [Coliseum] is a tough place to play because of the atmosphere, and much like Cameron, the students are right on the floor. The aura in there is very powerful."
Tonight, in coach Gail Goestenkors' 300th game at Duke, Clemson (10-4, 2-1 in the ACC) will host the No. 7 Blue Devils, hoping to deplete the momentum they (12-3, 4-0) have accumulated since the departure of Rometra Craig and Crystal White earlier in the season.
Since these two defections, all eight remaining Blue Devils have increased their output, and the team has won seven out of its last eight, with the only loss coming against then-No. 2 Tennessee. With five players averaging over 10 points per game, Duke has simply overwhelmed its recent competition and looks to have stabilized after a rocky start to its campaign.
"Recently, we have just decided as a team to play as one," Alana Beard, said. "I can really see us coming together right now, and I am excited about how we're playing."
With this newfound optimism, Thursday's test at prickly Littlejohn Coliseum looms as an important gauge of how the small-rostered team can respond to difficult road challenges.
Several components of the Blue Devils' game must gel in order for them to emerge from Clemson unscathed.
First, and most pressingly, Duke must contain the Lady Tigers' explosive backcourt combination of Chrissy Floyd, the ACC's second leading scorer with a 17.9 points per game average, and Krystal Scott, a 12 point per game performer herself.
To limit the duo's effectiveness, Beard has devised a seemingly simple four word strategy: "Deny them the ball!" Nevertheless, given the guards' outstanding play thus far this season and the fluidity of Clemson's motion offense, the execution of this task will certainly be tougher than Beard lets on.
Offensively, the Blue Devils must respond to Clemson's 1-3-1 zone defense, which left the Blue Devils baffled against the Volunteers earlier this season. Also, the Lady Tigers trap the ballhandler, so Duke's ability to pass and break the double team will be crucial.
Lastly though, Duke needs to believe it can actually win at Clemson because very little else can explain how the Blue Devils managed to lose by 18 there and win by 50 back at Durham last season.
This year's group of eight, having endured a healthy dose of earlier internal troubles, appears to possess the necessary poise to tame the Lady Tigers.
"Despite all of the ups and downs, I wouldn't want to be in another position right now," Gingrich said. "We're looking really strong right now and will be more so heading into March."
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