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BASKETBALL

Duke Returns To Durham To Host Florida State For Big Monday Matchup

It has been thirteen days since Duke who is ranked seventh in the AP Top 25 poll hit the hardwood in Durham.

On Monday night that will change when they return to Durham to host eighth ranked Florida State after a three game road trip that included three wins over Syracuse in Syracuse New York, in Chestnut Hill Massachusetts over Boston College and a short trip down I-40 to Chapel Hill where Duke knocked off tobacco road rival North Carolina by a score of 98-96 in overtime.

Duke comes into the game with a record of 20-3 while they’re 10-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and second in the standings behind Louisville who is in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference while Florida State comes into the game with the same overall record as well as their record in the Atlantic Conference as they’re 20-3 and 10-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. But what’s the difference? I’ll tell you what the difference is Duke is in second place in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings while Florida State is behind Duke in the standings. “according to http://theacc.com/standings.aspx?standings=40

As for Duke and Florida State’s only meeting last season in Tallahassee,

Duke won it thanks to Cam Reddish who is now in the NBA as a member of the Atlanta Hawks.

-- Cam Reddish hit a 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left to lead No. 1 Duke past No. 13 Florida State, 80-78 on Saturday. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/1/12/211786343.aspx

Reddish caught the ball on the wing off the inbounds pass and made a wide open 3-pointer to ensure that Duke (14-1, 3-0 ACC) would win its ninth straight game. He finished with 23 points on 9 of 15 shooting. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/1/12/211786343.aspx

As for Duke’s previous game,

As stated above, They won the first matchup between the two blue blooded rivals,

Freshman Wendell Moore scored on a putback as time expired to help No. 7 Duke rally past North Carolina 98-96 in overtime in a wild renewal of the rivalry Saturday night. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/2/8/mens-basketball-no-7-duke-wins-ot-thiller-over-unc.aspx

Moore's follow of Tre Jones' missed off-balance jumper finally ended this one, a game that saw Duke rally from 13 down in the final 4½ minutes of regulation. Jones forced overtime, hitting a contested jumper at the regulation horn after corralling his own intentionally missed free throw.


 Jones finished with 28 points to lead the Blue Devils (20-3, 10-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who trailed most of the night and led for only 1:47 of game action. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/2/8/mens-basketball-no-7-duke-wins-ot-thiller-over-unc.aspx

The 40th year head coach of Duke Mike Krzyzewski had this to say about Tre Jones performance.

Tre was magnificent,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “It was his best game. Because he not only scored and hit big buckets, but his will and his passion permeated throughout our whole team.”according to https://www.journalnow.com/sports/college/no-duke-steals-one-at-north-carolina-behind-a-late/article_75194ed8-14d4-5203-a30e-22eb18dfd7f0.html#1

“It made us one and gave us a chance to hang in there.” “according https://www.journalnow.com/sports/college/no-duke-steals-one-at-north-carolina-behind-a-late/article_75194ed8-14d4-5203-a30e-22eb18dfd7f0.html#1

Like Duke,

Florida State won their previous game as they beat Miami.

Patrick Williams and M.J. Walker scored 14 points, Devin Vassell added 13 and the No. 8 Seminoles shot 50 percent from the 3-point line to erase an early deficit and surge past Miami, 99-81, in front of a sold-out Donald L. Tucker Center. “according to https://seminoles.com/no-8-florida-state-takes-down-miami-99-81/

Thirteen different players scored and five finished in double figures for FSU, which improved to 20-3 overall and a program-record 10-2 mark after 12 games in league play.”according to https://seminoles.com/no-8-florida-state-takes-down-miami-99-81/

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