No. 4 Duke has plenty to be excited about entering the last few weeks of the regular season, and Syracuse might have some renewed hope heading into the final stretch.
The teams clash for the only time this regular season Monday night at Durham, N.C., in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Duke (23-2, 12-1 ACC) has won back-to-back games since its only conference loss, maintaining first place in the league. Saturday’s victory against No. 20 Clemson also means the Blue Devils have knocked off eight ranked teams.
“We don’t try to make statements to anybody else,” Duke swingman Isaiah Evans said. “I feel like we just look at every game as an opportunity to find out about ourselves.”
Syracuse (15-11, 6-7) is coming off a pair of riveting home victories. There was Wednesday night’s double-overtime conquest of California and Saturday’s 79-78 comeback triumph against SMU on Nate Kingz’s basket with 2.3 seconds remaining.
“The fight that these guys had these last two games,” Syracuse coach Adrian Autry said. “There’s no quit in this team. We have some dips here and there, but they continue to fight.”
The Orange will aim for their first three-game winning streak since their first three games in January. This will be a sizable challenge.
“It’s Duke, obviously, playing at their homecourt,” Autry said.
He added: “We’ll get to work, and we’ll put together a game (plan) and go down there and execute it.”
The Blue Devils are embracing the quick turnaround for Monday’s matchup.
“It’s pretty much how the (NCAA) Tournament is,” Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer said. “It’s really just about moving on from this (Clemson) game, whether you have good feelings or bad feelings, washing them all away and getting prepared for Monday.”
Boozer has led all players in points, rebounds and assists in six games this season, breaking a tie with Tim Duncan for the most for an ACC player over the last 30 seasons.
Yet the 67-54 victory against Clemson was defined in large part by defense. That was fine with the Blue Devils.
“I think we needed a game like this, an elite defensive performance, a lot of effort,” Boozer said.
Syracuse matched its season-high for 3-point baskets with 11 on Saturday. All five starters scored in the first five minutes against SMU.
Syracuse freshman Kiyan Anthony, who had been benched for a game recently, came through with 13 points Saturday, matching his high mark in ACC play.
“He made some big shots, finished plays and he played with the intensity you need to play with,” Autry said. “Another example of this team, and one particular player, just still fighting, staying ready. … The one thing about Kiyan is that he’s resilient.”
With key contributors coming off the Syracuse bench, it meant guard J.J. Starling played only 19 minutes. He scored four points.
“This is one game, JJ will be ready on Monday,” Autry said. “He’s the leader of this team.”
Duke, which will be bidding for its 30th consecutive home victory, has outrebounded 21 of its 25 opponents. Blue Devils reserve Maliq Brown will be playing against his former team.
–Field Level Media
