For the first time this season, the Blue Devils will be playing outside of the home-court comfort of Cameron Indoor Stadium. However, judging from their performance thus far, it won’t matter.
Riding on a two-game win streak with an average margin of victory of 20, Duke travels down south where they will face off against Auburn (1-1).
The No. 6 Blue Devils (2-0) not only look to defend their young, undefeated record, but also hope to continue their balanced attack, which includes a sharp frontcourt and a better backcourt. These efforts have been spearheaded by seniors Jasmine Thomas and Karima Christmas.
Thomas, the star of last year’s squad, has averaged 14 points per game so far. And though her shooting percentage ranks among the team’s worst, her ability to get to the basket frequently stymies opponents. She hopes to continue the trend in Alabama.
However, the season is young, and the Tigers may prove to be Duke’s greatest challenge to date. Auburn has historically had a strong women’s basketball team, boasting sixteen NCAA Tournament appearances since 1982.
On the other hand, the Blue Devils will definitely be the Tiger’s toughest opponent thus far in the season. Coming off a loss to Florida State, Auburn has shown signs of weakness defensively, allowing three Seminoles to score in the double digits and giving up 16 offensive rebounds—providing them with vital second-chances to score.
The brightest spot for Auburn is senior forward Jordan Greenleaf. The senior leads the team in points, rebounds, and steals. She’s a dominant force below the basket, hitting fifty percent of her shots, and she ranks among the best forwards in the SEC. If she breaks out with a stellar performance, Duke could have problems.
For Auburn, the implications of this game are significant. A win against Duke will avenge a disappointing loss to Florida State and put the team in the national spotlight. For this reason, the Blue Devils will be careful not to overlook what seems to be a mismatch on paper. Auburn has the potential to compete for an upset win.
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