Duke Looks To Avenge Their Loss To Syracuse

Earlier this season Duke lost to Syracuse in Durham by a score of 95-91 but they also lost their starting point guard Tre Jones to an AC Joint separation when he collided with Syracuse’s Frank Howard. This go around though he’s healthy and will be facilitating the offense for Mike Krzyzewski. Although they will be without the services of Zion Williamson who will miss his first game after suffering a grade one knee sprain in their previous game.

On the other sideline it was recently announced that Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim would be coaching this game after being involved in a car accident earlier this week where he struck and killed a man walking on the interstate on Wednesday night. “according to https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2019/02/jim-boeheim-will-coach-in-saturdays-game-vs-duke.html

On Saturday Duke who is ranked number one in this weeks AP Top 25 poll will look to avenge that loss to Syracuse when they visit the Carrier Dome for the rematch.

Duke comes into the game with a record of 23-3 while they’re 11-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference while Syracuse comes into the game with a record of 18-8 while they’re 9-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

As for Duke’s previous game they lost to their tobacco road rival North Carolina earlier in week.

Luke Maye took full advantage of a freak injury to freshman sensation Zion Williamson, finishing with 30 points and 15 rebounds to lead No. 8 North Carolina past No. 1 Duke 88-72 on Wednesday night. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211791707

A star-studded crowd that included former President Barack Obama, Spike Lee and Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. packed into Cameron looking for another highlight-filled show from Williamson -- arguably the most exciting player in college basketball. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211791707

But the ACC's second-leading scorer went down during the Blue Devils' opening possession. Williamson grabbed his right knee in pain after slipping awkwardly and falling when his left shoe fell apart as he planted hard while dribbling near the free throw line. The blue rubber sole ripped loose from the white shoe from the heel to the toes along the outside edge, with Williamson's foot coming all the way through the large gap. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211791707

Cameron Johnson added 26 points and Garrison Brooks had 14 to help the Tar Heels (21-5, 11-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) earn their most lopsided win at Cameron Indoor Stadium in 30 years. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211791707

By winning their ninth in 10 games and beating a top-ranked team for the first time since 2013, they pulled into a first-place tie with the Blue Devils (23-3, 11-2). “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211791707

RJ Barrett matched a season best with 33 points and fellow freshman Cameron Reddish added a season-high 27 for Duke -- but the rest of the team combined to score just 12. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211791707

North Carolina took advantage of the lane, scoring 32 of its first 34 points in the paint and finishing with a 62-28 scoring advantage there. The Tar Heels never trailed, pushed their lead to 22 on Johnson's layup with about 16 minutes left and held on. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211791707

Unlike Duke, Syracuse won their previous game as they defeated Louisville.

Syracuse (18-8, 9-4 ACC) used one of its top defensive performances of the season to defeat #18/22 Louisville (18-9, 9-5 ACC), 69-49, on Wednesday night in the Carrier Dome. “according to https://cuse.com/news/2019/2/20/mens-basketball-syracuse-dominates-18-22-louisville-69-49.aspx

The Orange limited Louisville to 14-of-54 (.259) from the field, including a 6-of-28 (.214) effort on 3-point attempts. Syracuse's zone was especially stifling in the first half when it limited the Cards to 1-of-13 (.077) on 3-point tries. The effort helped the Orange construct a 35-23 by the intermission. “according to https://cuse.com/news/2019/2/20/mens-basketball-syracuse-dominates-18-22-louisville-69-49.aspx
 
HUGHES LEADS BALANCED ATTACK
Elijah Hughes led four Syracuse performers in double-digit scoring with 18. He hit four 3-pointers and also contributed six rebounds and two blocks.  Oshae Brissett contributed 16 points, including 12 in the first half, and eight rebounds. Buddy Boeheim and Tyus Battle rounded out the double-digit scoring numbers with 14 and 11 points, respectively. Marek Dolezaj led the Orange with a season-high nine rebounds, one shy of matching his career best. “according to https://cuse.com/news/2019/2/20/mens-basketball-syracuse-dominates-18-22-louisville-69-49.aspx
 
Syracuse has now won five of the last seven meetings against the Cardinals, including the last two. Louisville, who entered the game averaging 76 points per game, was held to a season-low 49. The 49 points tie the fewest they have ever scored against Syracuse, matching the March 3, 2012 game where the Orange came out on top 58-49. “according to https://cuse.com/news/2019/2/20/mens-basketball-syracuse-dominates-18-22-louisville-69-49.aspx
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a 2-of-8 start in the first half, Syracuse began firing on all cylinders with a 21-5 run. The 8:35 stretch was boosted by a 7-of-16 shooting performance, giving Syracuse a 26-13 lead. The Orange forced three turnovers from the Cardinals while holding them to a 1-of-13 look that included 0-of-7 from behind the arc. 'Cuse had a balanced attack with Hughes, Battle and Boeheim all contributing five points while Brissett added four. “according to https://cuse.com/news/2019/2/20/mens-basketball-syracuse-dominates-18-22-louisville-69-49.aspx
 
COACH BOEHEIM'S THOUGHTS
"It was a really good game. Louisville has been a really good road team. They won at North Carolina by 20, at Virginia Tech. They have been very good on the road, so it was a good win. I thought the week off helped us.  I thought we were able to do some things practice-wise that helped us. We have a couple of days now to get ready for Saturday."  “according to https://cuse.com/news/2019/2/20/mens-basketball-syracuse-dominates-18-22-louisville-69-49.aspx

LOUISVILLE STRUGGLES AGAINST THE ZONE
In his first game at the helm of the Louisville program, Chris Mack's Cardinals struggled against the staunch Syracuse defense. The Cardinals were held to a season-low 14-of-54 (25.9 percent) field-goal percentage, while also committing a season-high 13 turnovers. Syracuse outscored Louisville 16-5 on points off turnovers while also winning the second chance point battle 12-10. “according to https://cuse.com/news/2019/2/20/mens-basketball-syracuse-dominates-18-22-louisville-69-49.aspx

Tip-off is set for 6:00pm from the Carrier Dome. The game will be televised on ESPN.