Duke Returns Home To Host Georgia Tech

After going on the road earlier in the week second ranked Duke returns to Durham to host Georgia Tech but Duke won’t just be returning home to play an opponent their most important player in point guard Tre Jones might be returning to the court as well.

Tre is probable for this game," Krzyzewski told Duke broadcaster David Shumate. "He has really progressed well and hopefully he will be ready to go on Saturday." “according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25849642/freshman-guard-tre-jones-probable-return-duke-blue-devils

Jones has missed two games since suffering an AC joint separation early in the Blue Devils' overtime loss to Syracuse. No. 2 Duke (16-2, 5-1) won both those games and is in a five-way tie atop the ACC standings. “according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25849642/freshman-guard-tre-jones-probable-return-duke-blue-devils

Jones, the younger brother of former Duke and current Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones, is averaging 8.1 points and 5.7 assists per game for the Blue Devils. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.69 is ranked third nationally. “according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25849642/freshman-guard-tre-jones-probable-return-duke-blue-devils

Duke comes into the game with a record of 16-2 while they’re 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference while Georgia Tech comes into the game with a record of 11-8 while they’re 3-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

As for Duke’s previous game, they won on the road at Pittsburgh who’s head coach is Jeff Capel who spent seven seasons on Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching staff.

-- Zion Williamson hit his first 10 shots on his way to 25 points, fellow freshman RJ Barrett scored 26 and No. 2 Duke had little trouble with Pittsburgh in a 79-64 victory on Tuesday night. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Williamson finished 11 of 13 from the floor to go with seven rebounds and seven assists for the Blue Devils (16-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who kept the Panthers (12-7, 2-4) in check even without injured freshman guard Tre Jones. Duke held Pitt to 41 percent shooting, outrebounded the Panthers 39-34 and wasn't in any real danger after a surge midway through the first half. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Trey McGowens led Pitt with 14 points, Jared Wilson-Frame and Terrell Brown added 12 each but the Panthers simply couldn't match Duke's size or firepower. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Pitt head coach Jeff Capel expected it to feel "weird" while facing Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Capel spent seven years as Krzyzewski's top assistant before leaving to join the Panthers last spring, developing a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the country. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Capel hopes to one day bring in the kind of talent to Pitt that now regularly flocks to the Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils. He might, but not quite yet. The talent gulf between the two programs came into vivid detail once the early adrenaline -- fueled in part by a sold-out crowd at raucous Petersen Events Center that included rap superstar Jay-Z -- wore off and the Williamson went to work. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The Panthers actually led 16-15 early but Duke responded with a 12-0 run that showcased Williamson's remarkable gifts. He hit a lay-up in traffic, drilled a 3-pointer and tipped in a Barrett miss to put the Blue Devils firmly in control and put the rest any concern about an emotional letdown following a taut victory over the Cavaliers. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Even while playing without Young, whom Capel considers one of the best defensive players in the ACC and who remains out while recovering from a shoulder injury, the Blue Devils steadily pulled away against the energetic if physically overmatched Panthers.

Pitt managed just nine points over the final 13 minutes of the opening half and unlike its upset wins over Florida State and Louisville earlier this month, the Panthers were unable to get to lane and get to the free-throw line. Duke's massive frontcourt didn't allow it. The taller, longer Blue Devils swallowed up whatever open space existed in the lane. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The Blue Devils led 44-25 at the break and Williamson hit all nine of his shots. He eventually missed one on his second attempt of the second half but it didn't stop Duke's lead from growing to as much as 23. When a mini-run by Pitt got the Panthers within 61-45 with 8:57 to play. Krzyzewski called timeout. Barrett drilled 3-pointer on Duke's next possession and it was over. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211787327&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Like Duke, Georgia Tech won their previous game but unlike Duke they were playing at home instead of on the road when they topped Notre Dame.

Keyed by a 17-5 second-half run, Georgia Tech downed Notre Dame, 63-61, on Tuesday night at McCamish Pavilion. “according to https://ramblinwreck.com/mbb-nd-recap-20190122/

For much of the evening, Tuesday’s game was a back-and-forth affair, featuring eight ties and 12 lead changes in the first 29 minutes of the contest. Trailing 42-41 with less than 12 minutes to go, Georgia Tech (11-8, 3-3 ACC) scored 17 of the next 22 points to take its largest lead at 58-47 with 5:08 remaining. “according to https://ramblinwreck.com/mbb-nd-recap-20190122/

Notre Dame (11-8, 1-5 ACC) pulled within two points on three occasions late in the ballgame but the Yellow Jackets held on for their fourth-straight home win over the Fighting Irish. A follow dunk by Abdoulaye Gueye with 52 seconds to go and a pair of free throws by Jose Alvarado with 8.2 seconds left on the clock proved crucial to the Jackets keeping the Irish at bay. “according to https://ramblinwreck.com/mbb-nd-recap-20190122/

James Banks and Alvarado led four Jackets in double-figures with 16 points apiece. Gueye added 13 points and Michael Devoe chipped in with 11 to round out Tech’s four double-figure scorers. Alvarado’s 16-point performance came in his first game back after missing last Saturday’s game versus Louisville due to injury while Gueye returned to the lineup for the first time since missing the last two contests due to a medical condition. “according to https://ramblinwreck.com/mbb-nd-recap-20190122/

Tip-off is set for 12:00pm from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game will be televised on Raycom Sports.