X-Factor: Joey Baker looks to extend hot streak for Duke men's basketball as conference play begins

Duke doesn't have much time to celebrate its statement win over Michigan State, as the team heads to Blacksburg, Va. to take on a Virginia Tech squad that beat those same Spartans just a few weeks ago. The Blue Zone analyzes a key player for each team in the Blue Devils' first conference game of the season:

Duke: Forward Joey Baker

All Joey Baker has done this year is reward head coach Mike Krzyzweski for giving him more minutes. Baker is coming off yet another impressive performance against Michigan State, shooting 5-of-6 from the field and providing a noticeable boost in energy whenever he stepped onto the court. The North Carolina native has proven to be the Blue Devils' most effective perimeter shooter thus far, an area that Duke desperately needed help with coming into the season. With Cassius Stanley likely being out once again, Duke’s already streaky offense will rely even more on Baker’s shooting to replace the spark that Stanley had provided.

Though his defense continues to be the factor limiting his playing time, Baker will be essential to Duke Friday night. The Hokies are too efficient from three for the Blue Devils to rely on Vernon Carey Jr.'s dominant post work and Tre Jones’ midrange game to carry the offense. Baker will have to make the most of his playing time and score quickly, because it is highly unlikely he will be able to see a great deal of minutes as long as the Hokies' Landers Nolley II is suited up. Duke is going to need Baker to heat up early on to avoid getting upset for the second time this season.

Virginia Tech: Guard/Forward Landers Nolley II

The Hokies outpace the rest of the ACC in every statistical category from beyond the arc. They are not afraid to take contested threes, and do so with great efficiency, going 43.1 percent from three for the season. Their long-range game is led by redshirt freshman Landers Nolley II, who has exploded onto the scene this year. In a conference headlined with names like Cole Anthony and Jordan Nwora, Nolley has not received the recognition that someone who is averaging 20 points per game typically gets.

The fact of the matter is, Nolley presents a matchup problem for nearly every team he faces. Standing at 6-foot-7, he has shown that he can hurt teams in the paint while still having the athleticism to handle the ball and pull up from anywhere he pleases. Add in his 50.9 percent mark from beyond the arc and it is a tall task to find someone who possesses the size and athletic ability to lock down Nolley. If Duke wants to start conference play on the right foot, Krzyzewski is going to have to come up with a defensive scheme that will limit Nolley’s elite playmaking ability.