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BASKETBALL

Tre Jones To Return To The Court As Duke Host Boston College For Their Atlantic Coast Conference Home Opener

For the last two games Duke’s most important player has been sidelined with a foot injury. But could we see Tre Jones who is Duke’s point guard return to the court as Duke host Boston College for their Atlantic Coast Conference home opener?

Jones, who has been walking normally on the foot without the use of a protective boot or crutches, is expected to be ready Tuesday night after missing the 86-57 win over Wofford on Dec. 19 and Saturday’s win over Brown. “according to Stephen Wiseman of the News and Observer https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article238824078.html

With Tre Jones returning to the court Duke who is ranked second in this weeks AP Top 25 poll will get their point guard back who is averaging 15.6 points per game 3.8 rebounds per game and 7.1 assists per game. He will oppose a point guard who is familiar with the Duke program in Derryck Thronton who played for Mike Krzyzewski back in 2015-16 before deciding to transfer. During his time at Duke Derryck Thronton

  • Started at point guard in 20 of Duke's 36 games last season and averaged 7.1 points and 2.6 assists per game.

  • The Blue Devils went 15-5 in his 20 starts and he averaged 8.7 points in those games.

  • Scored in double figures seven times, with a season-best of 19 points vs. VCU

  • He had five or more assists four times, with a season-best of seven vs. Virginia Tech

  • Ranked second on the team in total assists (93) and sixth in total points (255) and minutes played (935).

  • His assist total ranked 10th all-time on Duke's freshman list and his 1.58:1 assist to turnover ratio ranks tied for seventh all-time by a Blue Devils' freshman.

  • Had 17 assists and six turnovers in Duke's last five games of the season.

    “according to https://bceagles.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derryck-thornton/11341

    Duke comes into the game with a record of 11-1 while they’re 1-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and are fourth in the standings and have won five straight games while Boston College comes into the game with a record of 8-5 while they’re 2- 0 in league play and third in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings and like Duke are on a winning streak as they’ve four straight games.

    As for last season’s meeting between Duke and Boston College, Duke won their only meeting of the season.

    Freshman Cameron Reddish scored 24 points, and No. 2 Duke pulled away to beat Boston College 80-55 on Tuesday night. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/5/211789310.aspx

    Zion Williamson had 16 points and a season-best 17 rebounds, RJ Barrett finished with 19 points and Tre Jones added 11 points for the Blue Devils (20-2, 8-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/5/211789310.aspx

    They overcame some shaky early shooting by shooting 63 percent after halftime to claim their sixth straight win, and they will be no worse than tied for first in the league standings when they visit No. 3 Virginia on Saturday night. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/5/211789310.aspx

    Jordan Chatman scored 16 points while North Carolina native Ky Bowman finished with 11 -- he averages 20.8 -- on 5-of-17 shooting while facing constant pressure from Jones. BC (11-10, 2-7) gave Duke fits for a half before fading down the stretch of its third straight loss.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/5/211789310.aspx

    Reddish finished one point shy of his previous high, set Nov. 11 against Army, and this was his best game since scoring 23 at Florida State on Jan. 12 and hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

    He scored 10 points in less than four minutes, hitting two 3s three possessions apart while starting the 23-8 run that put the Blue Devils in control. The lead gradually grew from there, with Alex O'Connell making it a 20-point game with his jumper with about five minutes left. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/5/211789310.aspx

    As for Duke’s previous game, They defeated Brown,

    Vernon Carey Jr. scored 19 points and No. 4 Duke held Brown to a season-low 50 points in a 75-50 win on Saturday. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/12/28/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-beats-brown-75-50-for-fifth-straight-win.aspx

    Alex O'Connell added 14 points and Wendell Moore Jr. had 10 points for the Blue Devils (11-1) in their final nonconference game of the regular season. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/12/28/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-beats-brown-75-50-for-fifth-straight-win.aspx

    Duke took the lead for good with an 11-1 run midway through the first half and pulled away late in the second half with an 18-2 spurt. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/12/28/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-beats-brown-75-50-for-fifth-straight-win.aspx

    The Blue Devils won their fifth consecutive game, all by at least 12 points, since their 150-game home winning streak against nonconference opponents ended against Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 26. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/12/28/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-beats-brown-75-50-for-fifth-straight-win.aspx

    Brandon Anderson scored 16 points to lead Brown in its third consecutive loss. The Bears trailed 35-29 at halftime.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/12/28/mens-basketball-no-4-duke-beats-brown-75-50-for-fifth-straight-win.aspx

    Like Duke,

    Boston College won their previous game as they knocked off California in San Francisco California.

    Boston College used a 17-4 run midway through the second half to take the lead for good, en route to a 64-60 win over California in game two of the Al Attles Classic at Chase Center.  The win extended BC's win streak to four games, dating back to Dec. 7. “according to https://bceagles.com/news/2019/12/21/mbb_cal_recap_122119.aspx

    Jairus Hamilton led BC with 18 points and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.  He added eight rebounds in 34 minutes.  Julian Rishwain and Jared Hamilton scored 12 points apiece while Derryck Thornton added 10.”according to https://bceagles.com/news/2019/12/21/mbb_cal_recap_122119.aspx

    The Eagles trailed by 11 - 50-39 - with 10:10 remaining before using the 3-pointer - both the traditional and long-distance type - to get back in the game.  Steffon Mitchell started the run, converting the and-one before back-to-back 3-pointers from Rishwain cut the Bears' lead to four (52-48).  A Jay Heath layup and another long two from Rishwain tied it up at 52-52 with 7:51 to go.  Another Mitchell layup and two FT from Rishwain and BC led 56-52 with 5:09 to play.”according to https://bceagles.com/news/2019/12/21/mbb_cal_recap_122119.aspx

    Cal tied it up on a Matt Bradley layup with 1:53 to go, but Jairus Hamilton responded with a 3-pointer from the left wing and BC never looked back.  “according to https://bceagles.com/news/2019/12/21/mbb_cal_recap_122119.aspx

    Both teams traded baskets to start the game before Cal used a 19-6 run to open up a 13-point lead - at 25-11 - with 7:11 left in the opening period.  But BC beared down on defense, holding Cal without a field goal the rest of the way.  The Eagles closed the half on a 14-4 push and trailed 29-26 at the break. “according to https://bceagles.com/news/2019/12/21/mbb_cal_recap_122119.aspx

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