Revenge, ACC regular season title hopes on the line as Duke basketball welcomes Notre Dame

Ten days doesn't seem like a long time for things to change.

But when you dismiss your sixth man from the program, stage a furious comeback to shock the No. 2 team in the nation on the road and have to fight to hold off a pesky conference opponent, it probably feels a lot different.

That's why ahead of its 1 p.m. Saturday tilt against No. 10 Notre Dame—which upset the No. 4 Blue Devils at home Jan. 28—at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke feels confident it can exact revenge despite the bad memories it made against the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Ind.

"We're a little bit more experienced," assistant coach Nate James said. "[The last week] has made us a more together group—we've grown. Since that game, we've accomplished some pretty good things."

The Blue Devils (19-3, 6-3 in the ACC) led Notre Dame 65-55 with 10:58 left in last week's contest before scoring just two baskets the rest of the way and watching their double-digit lead evaporate. After Fighting Irish star Jerian Grant attracted multiple defenders and found Steve Vasturia—one of five Notre Dame players with 34 or made triples on the season at a 36 percent or better clip—all alone in the corner, Duke was handed a demoralizing 77-73 loss.

Although the Blue Devils missed several shots they normally convert—including eight second-half free throws—they will look to make slight adjustments to their old game plan to try to avoid late-game miscues this time around. Duke's last four games have all been decided by less than 10 points, and against the nation's most efficient offense at 1.21 points per possession, it is anticipating once again that the smallest of changes could make all the difference.

"We definitely missed some easy shots that we typically knock down—we know we can capitalize on those plays," James said. "We'll [still] make some minor adjustments on positioning on the floor and making sure we keep them out of the lane. They got to our basket and towards the end, [we were] leaving open shooters and [doing] things you can't do."

Last week's battle at Purcell Pavilion was one of the most entertaining games this season around the country and the battle between two of the nation's top players was a big reason why. Grant stuffed the stat sheet, racking up 23 points, 12 assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Blue Devil center Jahlil Okafor countered with a monster 22-point, 17-rebound performance in the losing effort.

Although Duke plans to once again throw a variety of defenses and players at Notre Dame's 6-foot-5 lightning rod, the Blue Devils know they can't leave Grant's supporting cast free. Led by swingman Pat Connaughton, the Fighting Irish (21-3, 9-2) are at their best when defenses get sucked in by Grant's array of dribble moves and shot-making ability and fall asleep on his teammates spread around the outside.

"Nine times out of 10, you're not going to stop a player of [Grant's] caliber, but you just try to make him work for everything," James said.

James pointed to experience as a major difference between the Blue Devil team that will take the floor Saturday and the one that fell last week, but an even more important development could be the resurgence of swingman Justise Winslow. After scoring just 12 points in a four-game stretch before the first Notre Dame game, the Houston native has gotten back to his early-season form.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward notched the first two double-doubles of his career in Duke's last two games. And because of his ability to match up with Connaughton at the four and play all over the court Saturday, Blue Devil fans are not the only ones excited about Winslow's recent stretch.

"When he's attacking [and] being a stat stuffer, [he is] what Grant is for Notre Dame—a big guard who can really control the tempo," James said.

Winslow's attack-first mentality in transition adds another element to Duke's already potent offense, but once again the Blue Devil attack will center around Okafor. The 6-foot-11 big man turned it over eight times against double teams against Virginia and Georgia Tech and his 55.8 percent free throw clip continues to be a concern.

Okafor is still averaging 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 65.2 percent from the floor, but that doesn't mean his coaches don't want to see some adjustments against a team that loves playing small ball.

"At times, he over-anticipates and is a little gun-shy to make that move and take the shot," James said. "We want him to get it, go and attack, then play out of the double team if it does come."

Saturday marks Duke's first home game against a ranked opponent this season, and there will be plenty on the line. The Fighting Irish dropped a road contest against Pittsburgh Jan. 31, which means both teams need a win to keep their ACC regular season title hopes alive as the Cavaliers continue to play well.

Duke's best stretches of basketball this season have come with its back against the wall in hostile environments. Saturday will show whether or not it can perform with the same pressure at home.

"We feel it's a must-win to make a run in the standings and stay up towards the head of the pack," James said.