Ball Durham
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Game Preview and Prediction for Duke vs. Wake Forest

By Michael Potrawski

Jan 2, 2016; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) shoots the ball as Boston College Eagles forward Garland Owens (5) and center Dennis Clifford (24) defend during the second half of the game at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Duke won 81-64. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) shoots the ball as Boston College Eagles forward Garland Owens (5) and center Dennis Clifford (24) defend during the second half of the game at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Duke won 81-64. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Your Duke basketball team faces another ACC test tonight against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at 7:00 ET on ESPNU. Wake Forest has a record of 9-4 so far this season, having played the 25th toughest schedule. Duke is coming off of a win in their ACC opener against Boston College. The Blue Devils have been explosive on offense this year with the likes of Grayson Allen as well as Brandon Ingram raising their games to the next level. Ingram has been a stabilizing force in the absence of senior captain, Amile Jefferson. In fact, Ingram has scored at least 23 points in 5 of the last 7 games. Wake has suffered two close losses recently against Xavier, in which the Demon Deacons trailed by 1 point with 3 minutes remaining and to Louisville where the score was tied with 2:32 to play. Here are some keys to the game. 

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1. Paint play of Wake Forest

With the continued absence of Amile Jefferson, players such as Devin Thomas and John Collins for Wake could make a significant impact on the game. Thomas is averaging 16.4 points per game along with 10.2 rebounds a game. He has been a consistent force in the lane for the Demon Deacons and I foresee the ball finding Thomas early and often.

Along Thomas is also freshman, John Collins, who comes in averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. Duke could elect to play zone to try to neutralize the inside presence of Thomas and force the Wake guards to generate offense on their own. Unfortunately, Wake has had at least 15 turnovers in 5 of their last 7 games.

2. Who guards Ingram and Allen?

The bigger of the two problems both literally and figuratively is stopping Ingram who has been on a tear as of late. I would think that Bryant Crawford or Codi Miller-McIntyre would take Allen. Nobody on Wake Forest really matches up with Ingram, however. In fact, there are a handful of players in the entire country that can matchup with Ingram. Look for Duke to spread the floor with Derryck Thornton, Allen, Ingram, Kennard and Matt Jones. Many threes will be shot tonight and in basketball you can either live by the 3 or die by it.

Prediction: Duke 85 – Wake Forest 78

I think Duke has too much firepower for the Demon Deacons to keep pace. Wake Forest will turn the ball over too much which will lead to a number of fastbreak threes and layups in which Duke will feast upon. Too much Ingram as he puts forth another double-double effort.

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