The Blue Devils take on the No. 18 Panthers of Pittsburgh at 7:00 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. Before every basketball game, we’ll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.
Duke: guard Andre Dawkins
In Saturday’s contest against Florida State, Dawkins was pressed into the starting lineup at the last second when Rodney Hood had to change his uniform. He did not disappoint, draining his first shot from the behind the arc on the way to an 11-point performance. Since a slow start to the season, Dawkins has evolved into one of the Blue Devil’s most important bench players this season, averaging 8.8 points per game in just 14.5 minutes. Duke will be looking for an offensive edge in a hostile road environment tonight against the nation’s 12th-best defensive team and Dawkins is the perfect candidate to swish a three and silence the Pittsburgh crowd. If Dawkins can drain a few treys early, the Panthers will be playing catch-up all game.
Pittsburgh: guard James Robinson
The sophomore from Mitchellville, Md. will be not only looking for ways to score, but will be also looking to find open teammates near the basket against a Duke defense that has looked vulnerable at times this season. Robinson is second on the team in assists, averaging 4.2 per game, while adding 8.3 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game. The major question for Robinson will be whether he can perform when the pressure is on. In the Panthers’ last game against a ranked-opponent, a road game at No. 2 Syracuse, he was held to just six points and four assists. Since the loss Robinson’s play has been on the rise, averaging 11 points and five assists in wins over Clemson and Maryland. Robinson will need to continue these numbers and bring his A-game if Pittsburgh wants to best the Blue Devils in the first ever match-up between these two newly minted ACC foes.
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