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BASKETBALL

As Duke, Virginia Match Up In Charlottesville Tonight For Their Rematch What Does Duke Need To Do To Leave Charlottesville With Win, Split Of Regular Season Games? Keep Virginia Out Of The Interior!

When Duke hosted Virginia in Durham on February 7, 2022 Virginia scored 26 points in the paint in the games first 20 minutes 52 points in the paint in all and then lost to Virginia by a score of 68-69. That along with Mark Williams picking up his second foul caused Duke to switch from a man -to man to a zone defense for the final six minutes before halftime.

“according to Stephen Wiseman’s article on newsobserver.com”

As Duke, Virginia match up in Charlottesville tonight for their rematch what is Duke going to need to do to leave Charlottesville with win split of the regular season games?

Keep Virginia out of the interior!

Can they do that?

We will find out!

Former Virginia Tech Head Coach current ESPN College Basketball analyst Seth Greenburg says that that is Duke’s challenge tonight and that Defensive Discipline is key.

“according to Seth Greenberg’s social media account on Twitter”

Duke is ranked 7th this week in the AP Top 25 poll comes into the rematch with Virginia with a record of 23-4 13-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and is first in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.

Why?

Because on Saturday in Durham Duke had six players in double figures and shot .516 from the field to defeat Florida State, 88-70, Freshman Paolo Banchero led the way with 17 points – 13 in the second half – to go with eight rebounds as the Blue Devils (23-4, 13-3 ACC) picked up their ninth win in the last 10 games. After the teams traded baskets over the first 12 minutes, senior Joey Bakercame off the bench and knocked down a season-high 4-of-5 three-pointers to help Duke close the first half on a 12-2 run and head into the break with a double-digit lead.

Duke would not let Florida State (14-12, 7-9 ACC) get closer than eight the rest of the way. Junior Wendell Moore Jr., had a hand in every facet of the game, finishing with 16 points, five boards, seven assists and six steals, while freshman Trevor Keelsdished out a game-high eight dimes. Fellow rookie AJ Griffin went for 15 points and sophomore Mark Williams continued his string of high efficiency from the field with a 5-of-7 shooting night for 10 points and six rebounds.

The win allowed Duke to avenge last month's 79-78 overtime road loss in Tallahassee, as well as push into sole possession of first place in the ACC.

Matthew Cleveland scored 16 points to lead the, who started the game 16-of-23 shots (.696) to offset Duke's own strong offense in a rowdy Cameron Indoor.

That included a run of seven straight made shots over nearly six minutes of game action, which had FSU down just 40-39 on Wyatt Wilkes' 3-pointer with 3:53 left.

But Duke answered with the game-changing run, which included consecutive Baker three's. Then came a spectacular transition sequence with Moore throwing a halfcourt bounce pass to Griffin for a rim-rattling dunk and a 51-41 lead in the final minute of the half.

Jalen Warley added 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Florida State.

“according to an article on goduke.com”

Virginia comes into the game with a record of 17-10 11-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and isn’t ranked in the AP Top 25 poll this week is sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings because like Duke they won their game on Saturday but unlike Duke they topped Miami 74-71 in Coral Gables Florida. In Virginia’s 74-71 win over Miami Virgini trailed by 10 points early in the second half, rallied for a 74-71 victory over ACC rival Miami on Saturday night at the Watsco Center.

Forward Jayden Gardner scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Cavaliers (17-10, 11-6), who also received major contributions from guards Kihei Clark and Reece Beekman, center Kadin Shedrick and swingman Kody Stattman.

“according to an article on virginiasports.com”

Tip off is set for 7:00pm from John Paul Jones Arena!

The game is going to be televised on ESPN with Jay Bilas, Dan Shulman commentating!