Big 12 Basketball: No. 8 Kansas vs. No. 4 Missouri Game Preview and Prediction
The Big 12 Conference has surprisingly been one of the most competitive basketball conferences in the country this season. They have three of the top 10 AP ranked teams: No. 4 Missouri, No. 6 Baylor and No. 8 Kansas.
Out of these three teams, Kansas has the best one-two punch (definitely a top tandem in the nation) in Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor. Robinson will get serious consideration for National Player of the Year, averaging 17.6 points and 12 rebounds (three offensive) per game. Taylor has been a scoring machine, dropping 16.7 points per contest and shooting 44.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Missouri certainly has the best guard play. Marcus Denmon could be one of the best unknown players in the country. He is averaging 17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Phil (nicknamed Flip) Pressey is a talented all-around point guard, registering 10 points, six assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. The Tigers also have Michael Dixon and Kim English (who is technically listed as a 6’6″ guard).
Baylor has the best starting lineup in the conference. Led by Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller, the Bears also have a solid point guard in Pierre Jackson, Quincy Acy at center, and a great role player in Brady Heslip.
A few weeks ago, Kansas handed Baylor its first loss of the season, by a score of 92-74. Five days later, Missouri defeated Baylor in a thriller, 89-88.
Saturday night will be the first of two regular season match-ups between Kansas and Missouri. A sold out crowd in Mizzou Arena in Columbia will be loud tomorrow night, for what is sure to be an exciting conference game between these two rivals.
I expect this to be an entertaining contest, but Missouri’s guards, combined with their home court will ultimately prove to be too much for the Jayhawks.
Prediction: Missouri 78, Kansas 70.
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Duke Blue Devils vs. Clemson Tigers Preview and Prediction
Things happen throughout a season that will make or break a basketball team. Losing to Temple on the road could have crippled many teams, but not Duke.
Sunday, they will look to invade Little John to prove that their road woes are officially behind them.
On the season, Duke’s two losses and two worst games have happened away from the friendly confines of Cameron. They simply don’t look comfortable, and their defense struggles. Letting the other team get comfortable at home is a recipe for a loss, and that is exactly what Duke has to avoid at Clemson.
Clemson is an average ACC team that has had an up-and-down season. The Tigers’ offense ranks at the bottom of the conference with a scoring average of 64.2 points per game. The strong spark of this team is their defense, but even it is average, at best, on most nights.
Leading the Tigers will be senior Andre Young. The guard scored just more than 13 a game and is the leader of this team. Scoring 210 points on the year, he is 14th in the ACC in scoring. Not one of the ACC’s best, but Young has scored double-digits in five straight games, and if Clemson is going to keep this one close, he has to have a big night.
Helping Young will be fellow senior Tanner Smith. Smith is another guard who provides a powerful No. 2 punch. While Tanner is not the scoring threat that Young is, he can explode for points, as he proved when he scored 26 against Southern Illinois less than a month ago.
After Young and Smith, the scoring is harder to find than Bigfoot eating a Snickers on your front porch.
Duke is one of the best teams in the nation. While they are considered by many in the mass media to be a “weaker and less able” Duke team, they are still Duke. The D on their chest means they still get everyone’s best every single night—and this will be no exception Sunday night.
The big question in this one is, how well will Duke do on the road?
The Blue Devils have been vulnerable this season away from home, and a loss to Clemson could put a dagger through the heart of this team. At times I have questioned the chemistry and togetherness of this squad, and that type of loss could spell trouble.
That being said, I don’t think that is going to be a problem.
Seth Curry likes to play against the Tigers, and you can expect this one to be no different. As the season hits the conference crunch, Curry needs to become the star this teams needs. Expect him to force a few shots and try to make a huge impact on this one.
Curry’s best way to make an impact may be to get the ball to Mason Plumlee; Duke is a better team when Plumlee gets touches.
Averaging just under a double-double on the year, Plumlee could be the most consistent player on this squad. His problem is that a hack-a-Shaq defense will work because he has a ton of trouble from the free-throw line. He is the worst free-throw shooter on this team, but if Plumlee can correct that problem, then he can be a force down the stretch.
Prediction
On paper this shouldn’t be a game. Duke is better in every single statistical category.
That being said, the Blue Devils struggle on the road. Expect this one to be close early and for Duke to run away with it in the second half. This is a game that Duke needs to exploit the big men and dominate down low. The Plumlee’s should tame the Tigers and control the boards from start to finish.
Duke will win by a count of 78-62.
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Duke vs. Clemson: Preview and Prediction for the Blue Devils’ Tiger Test
Things happen throughout a season that will make or break a basketball team. Losing to Temple on the road could have crippled many teams, but not Duke.
Sunday, they will look to invade Little John to prove that their road woes are officially behind them.
On the season, Duke’s two losses and two worst games have happened away from the friendly confines of Cameron. They simply don’t look comfortable, and their defense struggles. Letting the other team get comfortable at home is a recipe for a loss, and that is exactly what Duke has to avoid at Clemson.
Clemson is an average ACC team that has had an up-and-down season. The Tigers’ offense ranks at the bottom of the conference with a scoring average of 64.2 points per game. The strong spark of this team is their defense, but even it is average, at best, on most nights.
Leading the Tigers will be senior Andre Young. The guard scored just more than 13 a game and is the leader of this team. Scoring 210 points on the year, he is 14th in the ACC in scoring. Not one of the ACC’s best, but Young has scored double-digits in five straight games, and if Clemson is going to keep this one close, he has to have a big night.
Helping Young will be fellow senior Tanner Smith. Smith is another guard who provides a powerful No. 2 punch. While Tanner is not the scoring threat that Young is, he can explode for points, as he proved when he scored 26 against Southern Illinois less than a month ago.
After Young and Smith, the scoring is harder to find than Bigfoot eating a Snickers on your front porch.
Duke is one of the best teams in the nation. While they are considered by many in the mass media to be a “weaker and less able” Duke team, they are still Duke. The D on their chest means they still get everyone’s best every single night—and this will be no exception Sunday night.
The big question in this one is, how well will Duke do on the road?
The Blue Devils have been vulnerable this season away from home, and a loss to Clemson could put a dagger through the heart of this team. At times I have questioned the chemistry and togetherness of this squad, and that type of loss could spell trouble.
That being said, I don’t think that is going to be a problem.
Seth Curry likes to play against the Tigers, and you can expect this one to be no different. As the season hits the conference crunch, Curry needs to become the star this teams needs. Expect him to force a few shots and try to make a huge impact on this one.
Curry’s best way to make an impact may be to get the ball to Mason Plumlee; Duke is a better team when Plumlee gets touches.
Averaging just under a double-double on the year, Plumlee could be the most consistent player on this squad. His problem is that a hack-a-Shaq defense will work because he has a ton of trouble from the free-throw line. He is the worst free-throw shooter on this team, but if Plumlee can correct that problem, then he can be a force down the stretch.
Prediction
On paper this shouldn’t be a game. Duke is better in every single statistical category.
That being said, the Blue Devils struggle on the road. Expect this one to be close early and for Duke to run away with it in the second half. This is a game that Duke needs to exploit the big men and dominate down low. The Plumlee’s should tame the Tigers and control the boards from start to finish.
Duke will win by a count of 78-62.
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3 Keys to Victory: Duke Blue Devils vs. Virginia Cavs Preview and Prediction
Tonight, the Duke Blue Devils return to the friendly confines of Cameron Indoor stadium. The Crazies will be in full effect as they welcome one of the hottest teams in the ACC. Virginia is on fire of late and is looking to prove to the conference and nation that they are not a fluke.
Virginia has won an impressive 12 straight games off of great defense. Mike Scott is having a incredible senior year and is putting in a strong bid for ACC first-team honors.
Typically I break down how the other team will provide problems, but this game is different. While it will determine how good Virginia is among the conference’s elite, I have a feeling about this one.
Call me crazy, but I don’t think Duke is going to have as much trouble with it as many think. While Duke blogs and websites are calling this a true test, many Virginia blogs are actually saying that they are going to struggle with Duke.
If this is indeed going to be a blowout and statement win from Duke, then it will be because of players such as Andre Dawkins. Earlier in the week I bashed him a bit when I called him Duke’s disappearing Devil, but he needs to step up in this one.
The Virginia Cavs are a tough-nosed defensive team that have played well on the season but have only key win against Michigan. While they have survived a few scares, they have held strong in close games against Miami, LSU and Towson.
Virginia’s key to success is their ability to control the opposition on the defensive side of the ball.
If Duke is to win tonight, they will need to be successful with these three “keys to victory.”
1. Control the forest and the tree.
One of the ways Virginia controls teams is by being tough off of the boards. They play tight strong defense, not allowing the drive and dish to be successful.
Tonight Duke will have the ability to shoot. Allowing the ACC’s best shooting team the occasional open look could be disastrous for Virginia, as they will have trouble with all of the shooters Duke will put on the floor.
So my top key to victory is that the Plumlees have to control the glass on their side of the floor. Second-chance shots are going to be an important, especially down the stretch if this is close. If Duke can lead the offensive rebounds stat, then you can expect the scoreboard to lean heavily on their side.
2. Welcome Back Party
When I came back from deployment last month, my friends threw me a crazy welcome back party. That is something that needs to happen tonight for Duke’s Andre Dawkins. He needs to wear a birthday hat, have noisemakers and drain his shot time and time again.
Virginia is going to let him shoot. I say that again, Virginia is going to let Andre shoot.
He has been struggling of late, but this could be a great chance to rebound and play well. He can’t move around, can’t create his own shot and won’t carry this team, but if he is left alone he has to hit his shots. Tonight he will get his chance and he could be the most important key to victory for a Duke win tonight.
If he struggles, this game is very close and possibly an upset.
3. No point guard, BIG PROBLEM!
I expect for Quinn Cook to continue starting for the Devils. If you watched the Georgia Tech game, Cook started off very aggressive. He had five points and a handful of assists before you blinked.
That is what he needs to do for the entire game. He needs to grow and lead this team—hard task for any freshman, let alone for one of college basketball most touted institutions.
Tonight Duke needs to spread the floor. Virginia is going to play tough tight D on Cook. They will try to to keep him at bay, but his passing game is extremely important to getting open looks for the shooters.
With the floor spread, Duke will be able to get open shots. If they hit them, then two things will happen: Cook will have roughly eight assists and Duke will win by 10-plus.
Prediction
Duke returns home and will gladly enjoy Cameron once again. Virginia is tough, but K has his team ready to go.
I expect Andre Dawkins to score around 12, Cook to have a solid game at the point and Austin Rivers to have an average game.
All in all, I don’t think this will be as close as everyone else. Duke by a count of 68-54.
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Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Indiana Hoosiers: Game Preview and Prediction
The Indiana Hoosiers are making fans happier and happier as the weeks go on.
Indiana is 15-1 overall, and 3-1 in the Big Ten. They have won three straight Big Ten games after dropping the Big Ten opener to current conference leader Michigan State in East Lansing.
The Hoosiers also have their highest ranking (seventh) in a week since week 11 of the 2007-2008 season.
Indiana’s opponent tomorrow is desperately looking for a win. The Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-5, 0-4 Big Ten) are off to an 0-4 start in conference play after having success in the non-conference part of the schedule.
Indiana will need to pay attention to Minnesota, rather than look ahead to their rematch with Ohio State on Sunday.
The main reason for Minnesota’s decline in Big 10 play is due to the absence of their best player, Trevor Mbakwe. He went out early in the season with an injury, and the Gophers really need him in conference play.
Minnesota lost 81-72 in double overtime in their conference opener at Illinois. They lost at Michigan following that game 61-56, and lost both their home games to Iowa and Purdue.
In those losses, Minnesota has relied on the three-point shot heavily, but have have failed miserably. They’re a combined 21-for-66 in their four Big Ten games from behind the arc. They’ve also committed double digit turnovers in all four games.
Besides that, they’re losing due to their unwise talent machups with opponents.
If Indiana can shoot like they did the last three games and continue to get their hands up on all shots, then the Hoosiers can turn this into a rout.
Minnesota has lost the last two matchups in Bloomington—including a 60-57 loss last season. They did beat the Hoosiers in Minneapolis 67-63 on January 4th, but this is a better Indiana team.
I think the best matchup tomorrow night will be between 6’11″ senior Ralph Sampson III and 6’11″ freshman Cody Zeller. Both guys are lean and very skilled. I think the matchup down low will be intense.
Another thing Indiana must do well to win—besides shoot the ball—is get Minnesota in foul trouble. The Gophers turn to four freshmen and a sophomore off the bench. The inexperience could be detrimental to the Gophers.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota
G 13 Maverick Ahanmisi 6’2″ So.
G 0 Julian Welch 6’3″ Jr.
G 20 Austin Hollins 6’4″ So.
F 33 Rodney Williams 6’7″ Jr.
C 50 Ralph Sampson III 6’11″ Sr.
Indiana
G 1 Jordan Hulls 6’0″ Jr.
G 12 Verdell Jones III 6’5″ Sr.
G 4 Victor Oladipo 6’4″ So.
F 2 Christian Watford 6’9″ Jr.
C 40 Cody Zeller 6’11″ Fr.
Prediction
Indiana 84, Minnesota 67
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Temple Test: Duke Blue Devils vs. Temple Owls Preview and Prediction
Tonight the Duke Blue Devils take on their toughest opponent since their ugly loss to Ohio State on November 29th. Since that time they have shook up their roster, took final exams and enjoyed a cupcake home schedule which has allowed them to tinker and get better. The Temple Owls are 9-3 on the season with a key win over Villanova. They are currently amidst a three game winning streak and hope to make it four as they welcome Duke to the Wells Fargo Center.
Temple will be a tough test as the Devils take to the road. In a surprising stat, the Devils have been the home team in every game but one this season, their lone loss. While four of those wins happened away from the friendly confines of Cameron Indoor, the home tag seems to be special for this group of players. A funny thing about this game is that although Duke is visiting, the game itself is not taking place at Temple’s home court, it is taking place at the Wells Fargo Arena.
Tonight the point guard play will be key for Duke. In the past three games, the Tyler Thornton vs. Quinn Cook debate has been all over Duke message boards. Many Duke fans are begging for Duke to start Quinn Cook. He is playing very well and his play will be key down the stretch. Others are enjoying the defensive pressure and poise that Tyler Thornton is adding on the court. Too many is better than not enough and Coach K certainly has a plan and will use both to the best of their ability.
Temple’s guards will provide a tough test for Thornton and Cook. If Cook can prove that his defense is solid and that he can lead this team, he could find himself starting this weekend as ACC play kicks off.
On the season, Temple’s Ramone Moore leads the team in scoring. The senior guard is as tough as they come and he will push Duke’s youth all night long. Moore is most dangerous on the free-throw line. In his 32-point explosion against Nova, he went 14-15 from the charity stripe. If he can get into the lane and draw fouls, he could hurt Duke. Additionally, in a close game down the stretch he will have the ball in his hands and is certainly not the person to foul.
Supplementing Moore is junior guard Khlif Wyatt. Second in scoring with 14.2 per game, he compliments Moore giving this Temple team a very dangerous backcourt. Wyatt’s scoring number inflate when he is getting his three-point shot going.
Against Texas, he scored 24 and went 4-of-7 from beyond the three-point line. Temple lost that game, but if they are going to contend with Duke they have to have production from long range. Duke struggled against Ohio State as the Buckeyes played well behind the arch. If Temple can do the same, they will be in this game.
Prediction:
In the UFC they say styles make fights. In this bout, guards will be fighting guards all night long but the war will be won by the trees. The Plumlee-Kelly connection is the key to this game. Temple doesn’t have anyone that can play both in and out like Kelly, and they really don’t have anyone that can pressure Miles or Mason.
If those three can control the boards and give Duke second-chance shots, then Duke should win this one easy. Duke is certainly confident after three straight slaughters and if they can start off hot, then this game could get out of hand early.
Duke has struggled outside of Cameron and while I don’t expect them to lose, I do think this one will be closer than many think. I am calling a 74-68 win by the Devils as they roll into conference play with six straight wins.
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Duke Blue Devils vs. UNCG Spartans Preview and Prediction
Have you ever tried to shoot fish in a barrel? Neither have I, but I bet it would be pretty easy.
Tonight the Duke Blue Devils host the Spartan Fish, as the Spartans of UNCG head to the unfriendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
It is no secret that the Spartans are a bad team; their 2-9 record speaks for itself.
The Duke Blue Devils are having a typical season so far. They not only helped Coach K break 903, they keep winning.
Currently at 9-1, they have the ACC’s best record. Their lone loss on the season was at the hands of Ohio State in their worst game of the year.
Tonight’s game is a perfectly-scheduled-welcome-back from Finals game. It is time to put the pencils down and pick up the ball!
This is the first game in eight days; while rust could be a factor, against a team of this skill-set, they shouldn’t have a problem at all.
UNCG would be hard-pressed to find a tougher venue to play this Top 10 team.
The Devils have won an impressive 40 straight at home and are on the brink of setting their all-time longest home winning streak!
Defeating UNCG will tie the mark.
Furthermore, they have the nation’s longest home non-conference winning streak at 90 games, and haven’t been defeated by a non-conference foe at home in 11 years.
In addition to the home streak, Coach K has never been defeated by the Spartans, boasting a record of 9-0.
On the season, Duke has been led by athletic guard Seth Curry. He leads the team in playing time and was the clear-cut favorite to be the go-to guy throughout the season.
As the year progresses, Austin Rivers is starting to steal some of that title.
Rivers has led the team in scoring, averaging 17.4 PPG in his last seven games. It appears that he is really starting to grow in this offense and he just might be the player Duke faithful expected.
One can only wonder what a backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers would look like right now…
The front-court or “Plum-Land” has been full of the brothers grim all season.
Their progression is still a work in progress, but there is hope that they will continue to grow. On the season they have pulled down a combined 149 rebounds and scored 190 points, which equates to 24 percent of the teams scoring.
Duke’s wild card seems to by Ryan Kelly.
His height and ability to expand the court against other big men allows the Plumlees to work the middle. His ability to shoot also creates opportunities for others, as teams are forced to extend their defense and challenge Kelly.
Prediction
UNCG has a better shot at seeing Bigfoot on the team bus than beating Duke at home.
Duke by 30!
Rivers will lead all scorers with around 20, Mason will lead all players in dunks and Dawkins will lead everyone with deep treys.
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Duke Blue Devils vs. UNCG Spartans Preview and Prediction
Have you ever tried to shoot fish in a barrel? Neither have I, but I bet it would be pretty easy.
Tonight the Duke Blue Devils host the Spartan Fish, as the Spartans of UNCG head to the unfriendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
It is no secret that the Spartans are a bad team; their 2-9 record speaks for itself.
The Duke Blue Devils are having a typical season so far. They not only helped Coach K break 903, they keep winning.
Currently at 9-1, they have the ACC’s best record. Their lone loss on the season was at the hands of Ohio State in their worst game of the year.
Tonight’s game is a perfectly-scheduled-welcome-back from Finals game. It is time to put the pencils down and pick up the ball!
This is the first game in eight days; while rust could be a factor, against a team of this skill-set, they shouldn’t have a problem at all.
UNCG would be hard-pressed to find a tougher venue to play this Top 10 team.
The Devils have won an impressive 40 straight at home and are on the brink of setting their all-time longest home winning streak!
Defeating UNCG will tie the mark.
Furthermore, they have the nation’s longest home non-conference winning streak at 90 games, and haven’t been defeated by a non-conference foe at home in 11 years.
In addition to the home streak, Coach K has never been defeated by the Spartans, boasting a record of 9-0.
On the season, Duke has been led by athletic guard Seth Curry. He leads the team in playing time and was the clear-cut favorite to be the go-to guy throughout the season.
As the year progresses, Austin Rivers is starting to steal some of that title.
Rivers has led the team in scoring, averaging 17.4 PPG in his last seven games. It appears that he is really starting to grow in this offense and he just might be the player Duke faithful expected.
One can only wonder what a backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers would look like right now…
The front-court or “Plum-Land” has been full of the brothers grim all season.
Their progression is still a work in progress, but there is hope that they will continue to grow. On the season they have pulled down a combined 149 rebounds and scored 190 points, which equates to 24 percent of the teams scoring.
Duke’s wild card seems to by Ryan Kelly.
His height and ability to expand the court against other big men allows the Plumlees to work the middle. His ability to shoot also creates opportunities for others, as teams are forced to extend their defense and challenge Kelly.
Prediction
UNCG has a better shot at seeing Bigfoot on the team bus than beating Duke at home.
Duke by 30!
Rivers will lead all scorers with around 20, Mason will lead all players in dunks and Dawkins will lead everyone with deep treys.
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Duke Blue Devils vs. UNCG Spartans Preview and Prediction
Have you ever tried to shoot fish in a barrel? Neither have I, but I bet it would be pretty easy.
Tonight the Duke Blue Devils host the Spartan Fish, as the Spartans of UNCG head to the unfriendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
It is no secret that the Spartans are a bad team; their 2-9 record speaks for itself.
The Duke Blue Devils are having a typical season so far. They not only helped Coach K break 903, they keep winning.
Currently at 9-1, they have the ACC’s best record. Their lone loss on the season was at the hands of Ohio State in their worst game of the year.
Tonight’s game is a perfectly-scheduled-welcome-back from Finals game. It is time to put the pencils down and pick up the ball!
This is the first game in eight days; while rust could be a factor, against a team of this skill-set, they shouldn’t have a problem at all.
UNCG would be hard-pressed to find a tougher venue to play this Top 10 team.
The Devils have won an impressive 40 straight at home and are on the brink of setting their all-time longest home winning streak!
Defeating UNCG will tie the mark.
Furthermore, they have the nation’s longest home non-conference winning streak at 90 games, and haven’t been defeated by a non-conference foe at home in 11 years.
In addition to the home streak, Coach K has never been defeated by the Spartans, boasting a record of 9-0.
On the season, Duke has been led by athletic guard Seth Curry. He leads the team in playing time and was the clear-cut favorite to be the go-to guy throughout the season.
As the year progresses, Austin Rivers is starting to steal some of that title.
Rivers has led the team in scoring, averaging 17.4 PPG in his last seven games. It appears that he is really starting to grow in this offense and he just might be the player Duke faithful expected.
One can only wonder what a backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers would look like right now…
The front-court or “Plum-Land” has been full of the brothers grim all season.
Their progression is still a work in progress, but there is hope that they will continue to grow. On the season they have pulled down a combined 149 rebounds and scored 190 points, which equates to 24 percent of the teams scoring.
Duke’s wild card seems to by Ryan Kelly.
His height and ability to expand the court against other big men allows the Plumlees to work the middle. His ability to shoot also creates opportunities for others, as teams are forced to extend their defense and challenge Kelly.
Prediction
UNCG has a better shot at seeing Bigfoot on the team bus than beating Duke at home.
Duke by 30!
Rivers will lead all scorers with around 20, Mason will lead all players in dunks and Dawkins will lead everyone with deep treys.
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Duke Blue Devils vs. UNCG Spartans: Slaughter Rule Preview and Prediction
Have you ever tried to shoot fish in a barrel? Neither have I, but I bet it would be pretty easy.
Tonight the Duke Blue Devils host the Spartan Fish, as the Spartans of UNCG head to the unfriendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
It is no secret that the Spartans are a bad team; their 2-9 record speaks for itself.
The Duke Blue Devils are having a typical season so far. They not only helped Coach K break 903, they keep winning.
Currently at 9-1, they have the ACC’s best record. Their lone loss on the season was at the hands of Ohio State in their worst game of the year.
Tonight’s game is a perfectly-scheduled-welcome-back from Finals game. It is time to put the pencils down and pick up the ball!
This is the first game in eight days; while rust could be a factor, against a team of this skill-set, they shouldn’t have a problem at all.
UNCG would be hard-pressed to find a tougher venue to play this Top 10 team.
The Devils have won an impressive 40 straight at home and are on the brink of setting their all-time longest home winning streak!
Defeating UNCG will tie the mark.
Furthermore, they have the nation’s longest home non-conference winning streak at 90 games, and haven’t been defeated by a non-conference foe at home in 11 years.
In addition to the home streak, Coach K has never been defeated by the Spartans, boasting a record of 9-0.
On the season, Duke has been led by athletic guard Seth Curry. He leads the team in playing time and was the clear-cut favorite to be the go-to guy throughout the season.
As the year progresses, Austin Rivers is starting to steal some of that title.
Rivers has led the team in scoring, averaging 17.4 PPG in his last seven games. It appears that he is really starting to grow in this offense and he just might be the player Duke faithful expected.
One can only wonder what a backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers would look like right now…
The front-court or “Plum-Land” has been full of the brothers grim all season.
Their progression is still a work in progress, but there is hope that they will continue to grow. On the season they have pulled down a combined 149 rebounds and scored 190 points, which equates to 24 percent of the teams scoring.
Duke’s wild card seems to by Ryan Kelly.
His height and ability to expand the court against other big men allows the Plumlees to work the middle. His ability to shoot also creates opportunities for others, as teams are forced to extend their defense and challenge Kelly.
Prediction
UNCG has a better shot at seeing Bigfoot on the team bus than beating Duke at home.
Duke by 30!
Rivers will lead all scorers with around 20, Mason will lead all players in dunks and Dawkins will lead everyone with deep treys.
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