The Blue Devils (16-3, 4-2 in the ACC) are back on national television tonight as they face Florida State (15-4, 3-2) at 9 p.m. on ESPN. The Seminoles are coming off a 68-66 home win against Georgia Tech Sunday. Florida State has played five road games so far this season and is 2-3 in those contests. Here are three things to know for the game tonight:
1. The Blue Devils haven't lost a home game against an unranked opponent since...well...Florida State came on Feb. 4, 2007 and beat Duke 68-67. The Blue Devils have since rattled off 38 consecutive wins against unranked foes on their home floor and, this season, have a 11-0 record at home with a +30.2 margin of victory.
2. To state the obvious: Scheyer, Smith and Singler will continue to do most of Duke's work on the offensive end. With averages of 18.6, 18.5 and 15.8, respectively, the three players make up the second-highest scoring trio in the country.
3. Expect the Seminoles to play stifling defense. Sophomore Chris Singleton is one of the ACC's best defenders and currently leads the conference with 2.2 steals per game. The Blue Devils might have trouble scoring in the paint, especially given the presence of center Solomon Alabi, who boasts 2.6 blocks per game.
Duke's Probable Starters:
G Nolan Smith (18.5 ppg, 3.1 apg)
G Jon Scheyer (18.6 ppg, 5.7 apg)
G/F Kyle Singler (15.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
F Lance Thomas (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
F Miles Plumlee (7.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Florida State's Probable Starters:
G Deividas Dulkys (10.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
G Derwin Kitchen (8.3 ppg, 3.9 apg)
F Chris Singleton (11.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg)
F Ryan Reid (7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
C Solomon Alabi (12.6 ppg, 2.6 bpg)
Latest Betting Line: Duke (-12.5)
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