Duke has proven that it knows how to defend its home court, and its record at Cameron Indoor Stadium stands at 14-0. However, the Blue Devils have shown weakness during their travels—even against the ACC’s worst team, N.C. State.
Tonight, Duke (21-4, 9-2 in the ACC) hopes to avoid a similar defeat to one of the conference’s lesser lights.
After taking a one-game lead at the top of the ACC by defeating Maryland last Saturday, No. 6 Duke looks to cement its place at the top against Miami at the BankUnited Center at 7 p.m.
Having started the season with three straight losses on the road, Duke has won the last two away from Durham. Should the Blue Devils return with a victory, they will no longer have a losing road record.
Miami (17-8, 3-8) has been strong at home this season, having defeated Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech—all likely NCAA Tournament teams—in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes’ only loss at home came at the hands of Boston College Jan. 19.
The Hurricanes are coming off a defeat at Clemson, their seventh in the last nine games, and will be looking to get their season back on track.
Duke will be aiming to win its fifth consecutive game, and will again be relying on the trio of Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith for the majority of its points. The “Big Three” are averaging a combined total of over 53 points per game, making them the highest-scoring trio in the nation.
The Blue Devils will also need production from their big men, and hope senior Brian Zoubek can build off his 16-point, 17-rebound performance against Maryland.
“The Big Three, obviously you’re going to be concerned about them,” Miami head coach Frank Haith said. “But you’re going to have problems when those other guys, [Zoubek], or Mason [Plumlee], or Lance Thomas have big games against you.”
Those post players will have to contend with Miami forward Dwayne Collins, who posted 23 points and 11 rebounds in his team’s win over the Demon Deacons earlier this season. Collins is averaging close to a double-double.
Haith especially emphasized the importance of keeping Duke off the offensive glass, which has been a large factor in the Blue Devils’ recent winning run.
With the outright lead in the conference following two wins last week, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski sees the Blue Devils in reach of the ACC regular season crown, something Duke has not achieved since 2006.
“We’re just happy we had a really good week, and we’re hoping to have another good week,” Krzyzewski said. “[But] they don’t give awards based on a week. Those things go away real quick. But if you win something big, if you win a championship, it stays forever, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
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