Duke Continues Their Homestand As They Host Central Arkansas For The 2K Empire Classic

Duke’s home opener of the 2019 -20 season was against Colorado State on Friday.

On Tuesday night Duke who is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the second ranked team in the country will play game two of their three game homestand against Central Arkansas in the 2K Empire Classic.

Duke has won the 2K Empire Classic in each of its last two appearances, and is 8-2 all-time in the event. Under head coach Mike Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils are 96-18 (.842) when playing in-season tournaments with 19 titles. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/11/mens-basketball-no-2-duke-hosts-uca-tuesday-at-cameron-indoor.aspx

This will be Duke and Central Arkansas first meeting. The Blue Devils are 3-0 all-time against teams from the Southland Conference. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/11/mens-basketball-no-2-duke-hosts-uca-tuesday-at-cameron-indoor.aspx

Duke comes into the game with a record of 2-0 while Central Arkansas comes into the game with a record of 1-2.

As for Duke’s previous game,

Duke defeated Colorado State on Friday.

Tre Jones had 15 points and eight assists, and No. 4 Duke routed Colorado State 89-55 on Friday night. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/8/mens-basketball-jones-leads-no-4-duke-past-colorado-state-89-55.aspx

Alex O'Connell had 14 points while three freshmen also reached double figures — Cassius Stanley led the way with 19 points, Vernon Carey Jr. had 11 before fouling out and Wendell Moore Jr. finished with 10 — for the Blue Devils (2-0). “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/8/mens-basketball-jones-leads-no-4-duke-past-colorado-state-89-55.aspx

They shot 54% and dominated the paint, hitting 70% of their shots inside the arc to win their 38th consecutive home opener.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/8/mens-basketball-jones-leads-no-4-duke-past-colorado-state-89-55.aspx

Wearing gray uniforms trimmed in gold to honor Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski — who led the U.S. national team to three consecutive Olympic gold medals from 2008-16 — the Blue Devils pulled away by closing the first half on a 10-0 run, then outscored the Rams 47-29 in the final 20 minutes. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/8/mens-basketball-jones-leads-no-4-duke-past-colorado-state-89-55.aspx

Duke improved to 19-1 when Jones — the only member of last season's star-studded freshman class to return for his sophomore season — scores in double figures. He followed his 15-point, seven-assist performance in the opening victory over No. 3 Kansas in the Champions Classic with another strong game.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/8/mens-basketball-jones-leads-no-4-duke-past-colorado-state-89-55.aspx

He had a hand in 11 of Duke's first 21 field goals — hitting seven, assisting on four — and his reverse layup with 17½ minutes left pushed the lead into the 20s.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/11/8/mens-basketball-jones-leads-no-4-duke-past-colorado-state-89-55.aspx

Unlike Duke,

Central Arkansas didn’t win their previous game as were defeated by Georgetown.

_ The University of Central Arkansas Bears held their own against the Big East Georgetown Hoyas on Saturday before falling 89-78 at Capital One Arena.”according to https://ucasports.com/news/2019/11/9/mens-basketball-bears-hold-their-own-with-hoyas.aspx?path=mbball

UCA (1-2) had four players in double figures, led by 21 points from junior center Hayden Koval, but could never quite get over the hump against the Big East Hoyas, coached by Patrick Ewing. The Hoyas shot 50 percent from the field overall and outrebounded the Bears 55-31. UCA kept it close by hitting a season-high 12 three-pointers and forcing 19 turnovers.”according to https://ucasports.com/news/2019/11/9/mens-basketball-bears-hold-their-own-with-hoyas.aspx?path=mbball

Even though they never led, the Bears were within striking distance for most of the first half, trailing only 33-31 at the 6:42 mark and 42-39 with 3:33 left. But the Hoyas put together a scoring spurt to push their lead to 54-42 at the break.”according to https://ucasports.com/news/2019/11/9/mens-basketball-bears-hold-their-own-with-hoyas.aspx?path=mbball

The Bears played the second half without starting point guard DeAndre Jones due to a leg injury, but still kept it close with the help of two freshmen guards, Lewis McDaniel and Collin Cooper.”according to https://ucasports.com/news/2019/11/9/mens-basketball-bears-hold-their-own-with-hoyas.aspx?path=mbball

Koval, a junior from Prosper, Texas, hit 4 of 5 from three-point range and added 4 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Sophomore Eddy Kayouloud added 15 points and 6 rebounds, while redshirt freshman Jaxson Baker came off the bench and hit four (of 9) three pointers for 12 points.”according to https://ucasports.com/news/2019/11/9/mens-basketball-bears-hold-their-own-with-hoyas.aspx?path=mbball

Tip-off is set for 7:00pm from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.