Worries assuaged.
Just days after a controversial end to Duke's loss against Wake Forest Saturday, where fans stormed the court to celebrate and knocked into sophomore center Kyle Filipowski, the Blue Devils' star big man is back in action against Louisville. Filipowski was forced down the tunnel limping and under support by teammates and team managers after the loss to the Demon Deacons, but warmed up without a hitch ahead of Wednesday's battle — a massive boon to a team which relies on the Westtown, N.Y., native heavily as its most imposing inside presence.
Filipowski said that his knee was injured in the court storming, while head coach Jon Scheyer said in a Monday press conference that Filipowski's status for practice that day was unknown.
Filipowski has been Duke's most productive player this season in both scoring and rebounding, leading the team in both categories with 16.9 and 8.2 per game, respectively. The Preseason All-American and Preseason ACC Player of the Year has started every game for the Blue Devils this season down low, being tasked with marking and competing against the conference's best big men all year. As one of only two out-and-out centers on Duke's roster, his absence would have been keenly felt, not just in terms of his offensive production but imposting presence under the basket.
Tyrese Proctor also makes his return to the starting lineup for the first time since a Feb. 12 clash with the Demon Deacons. Caleb Foster is out with a lower-body injury.
The Blue Devils tip off at against the Cardinals at 7 p.m.
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Andrew Long is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 119th volume.