Duke basketball has regained its edge, dominating rival North Carolina 87-70 in a one-sided game that showcased the Blue Devils’ usual suffocating defense and high-powered offense. The team, which was on a winning streak with no other team in college basketball able to match it, handled the newness of Cameron Indoor Stadium’s electric atmosphere with ease.
Coach Jon Scheyer credited his team’s “edge” and “focus,” which was evident from the start as Duke led 23-6 and 40-13 before halftime. The Blue Devils continued to push their lead to 32 points in the second half, leaving no doubt that they were the better team.
The win marked the 15th game in a row for Duke, and if they continue to play like this, it’s unlikely their winning streak will end anytime soon. Forward Sion James said, “There were 2,000 students in the gym before I even tied my shoes… That’s not regular. It doesn’t happen.”
The Blue Devils’ offense was particularly impressive, shooting 52.6% and hitting 10 of 20 three-pointers, while committing just eight turnovers. The team’s defense was equally dominant, forcing UNC to turn the ball over 14 times.
Duke’s victory has them looking strong heading into their final regular-season games, including a tough matchup against Clemson on Saturday. According to KenPom.com, the Blue Devils have a 42.3% chance of going 10-0 for the season and carrying a 25-game winning streak into the ACC Tournament.
The team’s performance was consistent with coach Scheyer’s expectations, who said, “I thought we got too stagnant in those other games… Our guys really executed well.” With their usual cohesion and intensity, Duke is poised to make a deep run in the postseason.
Source: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article299242874.html