Will Duke's Road Woes Come To A Halt As They Head To Charlottesville To Take On Virginia?
The road hasn’t been so kind to Duke lately as they’ve lost back to back regular season games to unranked opponents where they lost at NC State and at Wake Forest.
On Saturday Duke who is ranked seventh in this weeks AP Top 25 poll will get another chance to snap their recent losing skid on the road to unranked opponents.
Who will they do it against? The defending national champion Virginia in Charlottesville who plays at a deliberate pace.
Duke comes into the game with a record of 23-5 while they’re 13-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and third in the standings behind Louisville while Virginia comes into the game with a record of 20-7 while they’re 12-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and fourth in the standings behind Duke. according to http://www.theacc.com/standings.aspx?standings=40
As for last season’s meeting between Duke and Virginia in Charlottesville,
- RJ Barrett scored 30 points, Zion Williamson had 27 and No. 1 Duke beat No. 4 Virginia 72-70 on Saturday night to give the Cavaliers their first loss of the season. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/1/19/211787141.aspx
The Blue Devils (15-2, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) bounced back from an overtime loss to Syracuse that could cost them their top ranking. They avoided their first two-game losing streak at home since 2016 and proved they can win without injured point guard Tre Jones. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/1/19/211787141.aspx
As for Duke’s previous game,
They lost to Wake Forest in double overtime in Winston Salem earlier this week.
Wendell Moore Jr. recorded a career-high 25 points, but Wake Forest was able to outlast seventh-ranked Duke 113-101 in double overtime on Tuesday night “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/2/25/mens-basketball-no-7-duke-comes-up-short-in-double-ot.aspx
Unlike Duke,
Virginia won their previous game as they knocked off Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
. – Kihei Clark (Woodland Hills, Calif.) hit a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to give Virginia (20-7, 12-5 ACC) the 56-53 win at Virginia Tech (15-13, 6-11 ACC) on Wednesday night at Cassell Coliseum. “according tohttps://virginiasports.com/news/2020/2/26/mens-basketball-virginia-wins-56-53-at-virginia-tech-in-commonwealth-clash.aspx
Three players finished in double-figures for the Cavaliers. Mamadi Diakite (Conarky, Guinea) had a game-high 19 points with six rebounds and two blocks. Clark finished with 10 points and had six assists. Braxton Key (Charlotte, N.C.) recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.”according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2020/2/26/mens-basketball-virginia-wins-56-53-at-virginia-tech-in-commonwealth-clash.aspx
The Cavaliers were 42.9 percent from the field, while Virginia Tech shot 37.3 percent. UVA led in rebounds (34-23). “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2020/2/26/mens-basketball-virginia-wins-56-53-at-virginia-tech-in-commonwealth-clash.aspx
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia scored first and had a 12-4 lead at the 12:05 mark in the first half. The Cavaliers were up 20-11 and closed the first half on a 6-0 run to lead 26-11 at halftime.”according to
https://virginiasports.com/news/2020/2/26/mens-basketball-virginia-wins-56-53-at-virginia-tech-in-commonwealth-clash.aspx
UVA was leading 38-26 with 13:40 to go in the second half when Virginia Tech used an 11-2 run to cut it to 40-37 with 8:20 on the clock. The Hokies tied it up 44-44 and took their first lead of the game, 47-46, with 4:51 to go. The teams traded the lead and Virginia Tech was up 51-50 when Casey Morsell (Fort Washington, Md.) hit a three to put UVA back in front. The Hokies tied it 53-53 before Clark hit is game-winning three.”according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2020/2/26/mens-basketball-virginia-wins-56-53-at-virginia-tech-in-commonwealth-clash.aspx
Tip-off is set for 6:00pm from John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. The game will be televised on ESPN.