Duke has maintained a relatively low profile since its 22-point loss to Ohio State at the end of November, only playing five times since then as it tried to improve in practice and games where there was little doubt it would prevail.
As the fifth-ranked Blue Devils (12-1) prepare to emerge from their holiday burrow, first tonight at Temple (9-3) and then Saturday at Georgia Tech for the start of ACC play, they hope they are a better team than the one that was outclassed by the Buckeyes.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is always adjusting his lineup, and he especially likes to tinker after defeats.
Since the loss to Ohio State, Tyler Thornton has replaced Andre Dawkins in Duke's starting lineup. With the emergence of freshman Quinn Cook, the Blue Devils have two true point guards to substitute in for each other.
In the past couple of years, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith were more natural combo guards who had to adapt to running the point.
"It's a different take than we've had the last few years," Krzyzewski said.
Cook and Thornton provide a nice balance between a strong on-the-ball defender (Thornton) and a guard who probably has the best vision on the Duke team (Cook).
"We wanted, in these two games, to take a look at alternating them in," Krzyzewski said after Duke walloped Western Michigan and Penn in a three-day stretch. "When we keep a fresh guy there, we can push the ball and pressure the ball.
"Against these two opponents, it worked well - we'll see if it continues to work well."
Of the improvements Duke's players have noticed since the loss to Ohio State, the most noticeable might be to its perimeter defense.
Ohio State torched the Blue Devils by shooting 57.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
While Duke has taken a step down in competition in subsequent games, it has held its past five opponents to 31.3 percent shooting on 3-pointers.
"I think our defense has been improving every day," forward Ryan Kelly said. "One of the biggest things is our point guard pressure. Tyler and Quinn - both of them are doing an unbelievable job and just getting better.
"At the beginning of the year, we weren't sure who was going to be able to play that point guard position, mostly defensively.
"It's doing a lot for our team as those guys improve."
With the improved depth, the next step for the Blue Devils might be for an Austin Rivers, a Seth Curry, a Mason Plumlee or maybe Kelly to establish himself as Duke's unquestioned go-to player (or players).
All four average between 15.4 and 11.5 points per game, but Krzyzewski would like to see someone distinguish himself from his teammates.
"I think we have 10 guys who are pretty good basketball players, and you want a few of those guys to be outstanding basketball players so there is separation," Krzyzewski said. "Depth is good, but it's better if you have some separation with depth. Hopefully, we'll establish that."
