Next up for red-hot Duke: a trip to Raleigh and a date with the Pack
Duke might be the hottest team in the country right now, while N.C. State looks like it’s still trying to figure out how to execute down the stretch.
The Tobacco Road rivals tangle Wednesday night in PNC Arena as the No. 6 Blue Devils (22-3, 12-2 ACC) travel to Raleigh to take on N.C. State (16-9, 7-7).
After a road loss to Boston College, the Wolfpack return home for the first time in three games, needing a big time win to help boost their chances of finishing strong and getting into the NCAA tournament. The last time the two teams met in Raleigh, N.C. State defeated Duke, 96-85. The Blue Devils have dropped two of their last three games in PNC Arena.
But Duke has been on a tear lately, winners of seven straight games and in sole possession of first place in the ACC. During that run, the Blue Devils have won three on the road. They are coming off an impressive 94-60 thrashing of Notre Dame on Saturday in Cameron. Duke’s scoring margin (17.2) is third in the nation.
“I think we’re just trying to get back to how we were playing before the two loses,” Jones said about the current win streak. “We had lost the hunger a little bit and weren’t playing the same on defense, so getting back to how we were playing on the defensive end. Playing with that same intensity right out the gate every night.”
30 PLUS CLUB
Duke has beaten five ACC opponents by 30 points or more this season, a school record. The Blue Devils are coming off a 34-point win over Notre Dame. Only one of those wins, however, has come on the road.
CASSIUS STANLEY RETURNING
Freshman guard Cassius Stanley is expected to return to action against N.C. State. Stanley missed the Notre Dame came after being hit in the eye accidentally during warm ups. It was the second game Stanley missed this season. In his previous 11 games, Stanley is averaging 14.6 points and is shooting .492 from the field. Tuesday after Stanley said he was heading to the doctor to get cleared to play on Wednesday.
“It’s good,” Stanley said. “If I feel good and see clear I’ll be ready to play.”
TRE JONES AND MARKELL JOHNSON ARE MIRROR IMAGES AT PG
The two starting point guards — Tre Jones for Duke and Markell Johnson for N.C. State — are Nos. 1 and 2 in the ACC in assists, and third and fourth, respectively, in steals. Jones leads the ACC with 6.57 assists per game, while Johnson hands out 6.54 per contest.
“He is a good player for them,” Jones said. “Just try to make it difficult for him as I can the entire night.”
FAMILIAR FOES
Duke’s most frequent opponent is a dead tie between Wake Forest and UNC (252), but State is next at 248. Majority of the Blue Devils’ roster have never played in Raleigh.
“I’ve heard it’s a great atmosphere over there,” Jones said. “We’ve just got to come out the gates ready to play, with the intensity we know we can play with and just play our game really.”
FOLLOW THE (DIFFERENT) LEADER
Through 25 games, six different players have led the Blue Devils in scoring — Tre Jones, Vernon Carey Jr., Matthew Hurt, Cassius Stanley, Joey Baker and Jordan Goldwire. Carey led the team against the Irish with 21 points.
DUKE AT NC STATE
- When: 9 p.m. Wednesday
- Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh
- Watch: ESPN
- Listen: 620-AM Triangle | 1660-AM Charlotte
This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 11:56 AM.
