Duke Takes On Virginia In Top Five Matchup

Whom ever dictates the tempo is probably going to come out on top when top ranked Duke takes on fourth ranked Virginia on Saturday night.

Duke likes to play fast while Virginia is deliberate on the offensive end.

Duke comes into the game with a record of 14-2 while they’re 3-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference while Virginia comes in with a record of 16-0 and are 4-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

As for Duke’s previous game, they not only suffered their first loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference earlier this week to Syracuse but they also lost their starting point guard Tre Jones to an AC Joint Separation during a collision with Syracuse's Frank Howard that left the Duke guard lying on the court. In that type of injury, the collar bone is separated from the shoulder blade. Jones is unlikely to play against No. 4 Virginia on Saturday, the freshman has not been ruled out just yet because his shoulder has responded well to treatment. Top-ranked Duke (14-2, 3-1 ACC) considers him day-to-day “according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25787837/mike-krzyzewski-says-tre-jones-shoulder-injury-not-long-term-concern

Tyus Battle scored a season-high 32 points, and Syracuse used its 2/3 zone defense to rattle No. 1 Duke in overtime as the Orange pulled off the upset, 95-91 on Monday night. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211786585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Paschal Chukwu added 10 points and a career-high 18 rebounds while Elijah Hughes added 20 points, Frank Howard finished with 16 and Oshae Brissett had 14 for the Orange (12-5, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211786585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Syracuse held Duke to 2-of-8 shooting in overtime and to just 21 percent shooting from 3-point range while earning its second victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium in three years. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211786585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Battle's jumper about a minute into OT gave Syracuse the lead for good at 89-88. Duke followed that with four consecutive empty possessions -- three missed 3s and a turnover that Howard turned into an easy layup. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211786585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

RJ Barrett's 3 pulled the Blue Devils to 93-91, but Chukwu countered with a dunk from Howard to make it a five-point game. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211786585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Zion Williamson had a career-high 35 points and 10 rebounds, and his free throw with 16.2 seconds left in regulation tied it at 85 for Duke (14-2, 3-1), but he missed a second go-ahead foul shot. Brissett grabbed the rebound for Syracuse, but Battle's 3-pointer before the buzzer bounced off the back iron. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211786585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Barrett finished with 23 points on 8-of-30 shooting, and added 16 rebounds and nine assists. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211786585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Unlike Duke, Virginia won their previous game as they dominated Virginia Tech to remain undefeated.

Virginia shot No. 4 Virginia (16-0, 4-0 ACC) shot 60 percent with 10 three points in the first half on its way to an 81-59 win over No. 9 Virginia Tech (14-2, 3-1) in a Commonwealth Clash on Tuesday evening at John Paul Jones Arena. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/1/15/mens-basketball-no-4-virginia-rolls-past-no-9-virginia-tech.aspx
 
Three players scored in double figures, with Ty Jerome (New Rochelle, N.Y.) had a double-double with 14 points and 12 assists. De'Andre Hunter (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the game with 21 points and Kyle Guy (Indianapolis, Ind.) added 15 points. Kihei Clark (Woodland Hills, Calif.) added nine points on three three-pointers.”according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/1/15/mens-basketball-no-4-virginia-rolls-past-no-9-virginia-tech.aspx
 
Virginia finished its hot shooting night 58 percent from the floor and 54 percent from three-point range. The Cavaliers Scored 32 points in the paint, to 18 for Virginia Tech.”according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/1/15/mens-basketball-no-4-virginia-rolls-past-no-9-virginia-tech.aspx
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia scored the first five points of the game, including Jerome's first of four threes in the first half. UVA hit back-to-back three pointers by Hunter and Jerome, then had a stretch of four three pointers in 14-5 run. The Cavaliers then closed the half on a 9-2 run, capped off by a three pointer by Clark at the buzzer. Virginia Tech made a run to cut it to 14, but Virginia would extend its lead to 25 with a 13-4 run and take the 81-59 win. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/1/15/mens-basketball-no-4-virginia-rolls-past-no-9-virginia-tech.aspx

Tip-off is set for 6:00pm from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN.