Friday, January 20, 2012

Duke Basketball vs. Wake Forest: 91-73

It is nice seeing Andre Dawkins with a big smile.  He was in a long shooting slump.  He moved out of it in the Virginia game.  He was hot in the Clemson game (I didn't see it, but the box score highlights it).  And against Wake Forest he drilled them in the first half.  He didn't get the ball much in the second half, but that first half was awesome.  And the defense was so keyed in on him that Austin Rivers and Seth Curry were able to slash to the basket.

There was an interesting line-up change with Austin Rivers and Ryan Kelly coming off the bench.  It didn't seem to impact their production.  Austin Rivers ended up playing the most minutes and scoring 20.  Ryan Kelly also scored 20.  In some ways, Ryan Kelly seemed to be all over the floor.  Yes, Dawkins stole the show with his 7 threes, but I think Kelly was the key to the game.  Mason Plumlee must have gotten a lot of practice time in at the free throw line.  Unlike the Virginia game, he was actually able to hit his free throws, going 4-6.  That is a percentage I can live with.

The criticism of Duke is their defense.  It could use some work.  Dawkins got beat a number of times, but that isn't news.  As I believe the commentators mentioned, all the Duke guards need to step up and play better defense.  Since Coach K is rotating five guards, none of them should be worried about playing defense and getting tired or getting into foul trouble due to that. 

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