Joey Baker Is Returning As Duke Looks To Rebound As They Host Louisville

Earlier in the week Duke who is ranked third in this weeks AP Top 25 poll suffered their second loss of the season as well as their first Atlantic Coast Conference loss of the season to Clemson in South Carolina and were without the services of sophomore forward Joey Baker.

Why?

Baker suffered a sprained right ankle in practice earlier this week, causing him to wear a protective boot while sitting on the bench at Clemson. “according to an article in the news and observer written by Stephen Wiseman.

On Saturday night Duke expects Baker to be in uniform and ready to play against No. 11 Louisville. according to an article in the news and observer written by Stephen Wiseman.

In this game Duke who comes into the game with a record of 15-2 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and leading the way in the standings will look to rebound from their recent setback down in South Carolina to Clemson as they host a team from the Bluegrass State in eleventh ranked Louisville their only matchup of the regular season. Louisville comes into the game with a record of 14-3 while like Duke are 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and third in the standings. “according to http://theacc.com/standings.aspx?standings=40

As for last seasons only meeting between Louisville and Duke, Duke topped Louisville in the Bluegrass State.

Cam Reddish made a tying 3-pointer with 1:28 left and the go-ahead free throws with 14 seconds remaining, helping No. 2 Duke overcome a 23-point second-half deficit to beat No. 16 Louisville 71-69 on Tuesday night. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/12/211790399.aspx

After making 2 of 17 shots to open the second half, the Blue Devils (22-2, 10-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) got hot and shut down the Cardinals over the final 9:54. Zion Williamson (27 points, 12 rebounds) ignored foul trouble and instead drew whistles in his favor, making 8 of 9 from the line before Reddish added a couple of 3s in between free throws -- the last two of which followed an official review of a play under Duke's basket. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/12/211790399.aspx

Christen Cunningham tried to tie it for Louisville (17-8, 8-4), but his jumper in the lane bounced off the rim and into Williamson's hands as the final seconds ticked off. The Blue Devils celebrated as they left the court after completing the second-biggest second-half comeback in program history.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/12/211790399.aspx

Reddish scored 16 of his 22 points after halftime and RJ Barrett added 13 for Duke, which won its eighth in a row despite shooting a season-low 37 percent from the field. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/12/211790399.aspx

Jordan Nwora had 23 points and Dwaynme Sutton 15 for Louisville, which dropped its second straight. The Cardinals shot 42 percent but just 9 of 24 in the second half.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/2/12/211790399.aspx

Duke comes into the game with a record of 15-2 while they’re 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and leading the way in the standings while Louisville comes into the game with a record of 14-3 while like Duke they’re 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and third in the standings. “according to http://theacc.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

As for Duke’s previous game,

As stated above they lost on the road at Clemson,

Clemson led 40-33 at halftime and stretched the lead to nine points before Duke rallied. The Blue Devils got back into the game despite having Cassius Stanley on the bench with four fouls just barely three minutes into the second half.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

With Duke down nine, Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr. scored all but three of Duke's next 17 points as the Blue Devils went ahead 57-54 with 9:18 left. Duke still led 62-59 with 6:40 remaining. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

That's when Clemson took control with a 14-3 run, including eight points from Simms. His three-point play made it 73-65 with 2:16 remaining.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

Mack scored 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Simms was 10 of 15 from the field and had nine rebounds and five assists.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

Carey scored 20 points for Duke, Jones had 17 points and Stanley finished with 14 points.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

Duke was paced by Vernon Carey Jr., who potted 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

Clemson led 40-33 at halftime and stretched the lead to nine points before Duke rallied. The Blue Devils got back into the game despite having Cassius Stanley on the bench with four fouls just barely three minutes into the second half.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

With Duke down nine, Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr. scored all but three of Duke's next 17 points as the Blue Devils went ahead 57-54 with 9:18 left. Duke still led 62-59 with 6:40 remaining.”according to
https://goduke.com/news/2020/1/14/mens-basketball-no-3-duke-stumbles-at-clemson-79-72.aspx

Unlike Duke,

Louisville won their previous game as they won at Pittsburgh but they had to go to overtime to decide a winner.

Pittsburgh forward Terrell Brown thought he had a game-tying tip-in with 21 seconds to play, but he was called for a foul on the play, allowing No. 11 Louisville to escape Pitt's upset bid with a 72-68 overtime victory. “according to https://gocards.com/news/2020/1/14/no-11-louisville-escapes-pitt-in-overtime-72-68.aspx

Pitt guard Trey McGowens' driving layup attempt bounced off the rim, and Brown put it back, appearing to tie the game, but he was whistled for an over-the-back foul against Louisville's Malik Williams.”according to https://gocards.com/news/2020/1/14/no-11-louisville-escapes-pitt-in-overtime-72-68.aspx

Williams hit both free throws to put Louisville up by two possessions, securing the final margin of victory.”according to https://gocards.com/news/2020/1/14/no-11-louisville-escapes-pitt-in-overtime-72-68.aspx

Louisville star junior Jordan Nwora was limited by Pitt's defense, leading the Cardinals with 14 points, which tied for his second-smallest output of the season.”according to https://gocards.com/news/2020/1/14/no-11-louisville-escapes-pitt-in-overtime-72-68.aspx

Dwayne Sutton, who finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, and David Johnson, who scored 11, picked up the slack for Louisville.”according to https://gocards.com/news/2020/1/14/no-11-louisville-escapes-pitt-in-overtime-72-68.aspx

Pitt led for over 33 minutes, but never by more than nine points. The entire second half was a back and forth affair, with the Cardinals gradually closing the gap. Louisville tied the game at 61 with under a minute remaining on a Johnson free throw.”according to https://gocards.com/news/2020/1/14/no-11-louisville-escapes-pitt-in-overtime-72-68.aspx

McGowens led an unexpected offensive charge from Pitt, which shot 48% from the floor in the first half. He finished 8 of 22 for 24 points. Xavier Johnson added 11 points and five assists.”according to https://gocards.com/news/2020/1/14/no-11-louisville-escapes-pitt-in-overtime-72-68.aspx

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