The independent news organization of Duke University
This recent stretch of improved play has put Duke right back into the conversation for the NCAA tournament, and its next test comes Saturday against Louisville.
The 70-65 loss for the Blue Devils can largely be attributed to foul trouble, poor rebounding and missed opportunities, but Duke has made significant improvements in all three of those areas since the first matchup.
While Coach K’s Duke team faces an uncertain future, his former protégés are succeeding in the NBA like never before.
Several former Blue Devils have had an impressive first half in the 2020-21 season.
There’s real reason to think that something has changed with this team, and that they can continue to bolster their case for a bid to March Madness.
While it is best not to put too much stock into a win over a mid-tier team such as the Orange, it is hard not to be excited about Duke’s resurgence after another stellar outing Monday night.
The Blue Devils' season-long improvement was put on full display against the Orange from the first possession.
Duke's offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half against Syracuse.
With a quick turnaround after beating then-No. 7 Virginia Saturday, the Blue Devils enter tonight's matchup against Syracuse as 5.5-point favorites.
The Blue Devils will look to their talented young players to again rise to the occasion and their few experienced players to contribute as they look to secure their fourth consecutive win.
The energy permeating from Duke’s grit and will to finish strong held No. 7 Virginia to 0-5 shooting and zero points as the game wound to a nail-biting conclusion and a first-rate win.
Hosts Derek Saul and Shane Smith are back to analyze the Blue Devils' big win over Virginia, playing without Jalen Johnson and where the team's NCAA tournament chances are right now.
Brakefield displayed the ability to score in bursts with a quick seven-point first half run and an impressive level of defensive versatility, a quality extremely valuable to Duke’s style of play this season.
The Blue Devils took every punch from the Cavaliers down the stretch and hit back for the first time this season.
The stage was set for a Blue Devil upset win. The last time an unranked Duke faced Virginia, just over five years ago, the Blue Devils shocked the seventh-ranked Cavaliers in Cameron Indoor Stadium, with Grayson Allen hitting an acrobatic, one-handed bank shot to win it at the buzzer. And Saturday night in the same home venue, Duke did it again, taking down No. 7 Virginia 66-65.
In what some consider a must-win game for a trip to the NCAA tournament, the Blue Devils shot the ball well early and lead the No. 7 Cavaliers 39-36 heading into the locker room.
Williams set career highs in the N.C. State game, with 13 points, five blocks, and 27 minutes. He has totaled 22 blocked shots thus far, eighth in the ACC and 14th among NCAA freshmen this season.
At 9-8, the Blue Devils desperately need this win for two reasons: first, they are on thin-ice as it is and cannot afford another loss, and second, this may be their only remaining chance at a top-25 win in the regular season.
This Saturday’s game is monumental for the Blue Devils, who have little room for error moving forward if they hope to make the NCAA tournament.
On Saturday, Duke men’s basketball faces the team that will likely be its toughest test for the remainder of the regular season—Virginia.
