No.1 Duke Goes Undefeated in Opening Rounds of Basketball Hall of Fame Tip Off

Over the weekend, the nation’s No.1 powerhouse sent a message to everyone around the college basketball landscape.

“You better bring it, Duke is Charged Up”.

All the way charged up. How many watts?

2000 watts, which is equivalent to their current 2-0 start.

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Against Marist College and Grand Canyon University, head coach Mike Krzyzewski didn’t have to utilize too much energy from the sidelines during the opening matchups.

The Blue Devils (2-0) hosted opening rounds of the well-known “Basketball Hall of Fame Tip Off” at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Having already established a supreme identity as a basketball powerhouse, Duke didn’t waste anytime as they took care of business against both Marist and Grand Canyon to begin the season.

Starting with MAAC member Marist College (0-1), where Duke won convincingly 94-49.

Duke played solid around the perimeter, as Chase Jeter, Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard, and Frank Jackson all contributed to the scoring effort.

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Freshman guard Frank Jackson led Duke with 18 points, shooting 6-of-15 from the field. Being just a freshman, Jackson has emerged well in the Blue Devils offense. Along with Jackson was All-American Grayson Allen, who also shot well beyond the arc. Allen went 3-of-11 from the field, and 2-of-5 from three-point land. Luke Kennard had 16 points for the Blue Devils going 7-of 14 from the field, and 2-of-5 from the three-point line. Senior captain Matt Jones had 11 points, shooting 4-of-9 from the field, and 3-of-6 from three.

As for the Red Foxes of Marist, Khalid Hart had 13 points, shooting 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Junior college transfer Richie Mitchell, had 9 points, shooting 5-of-5 from the free throw line in his debut.

Statistics on offense literally prove how dominant the nation’s No.1 ranked Blue Devils can be this 2016-17 season. Against the Red Foxes, Duke shot 44.1 % from the field, 36.4 % from three, and 70.3% from the free throw line.

Now moving forward to Grand Canyon (0-1), as the Blue Devils won immensely 96-61.

Immensely, would be the adjective to describe this contest.

Fans, how immense was Duke’s 35 point blowout win against Grand Canyon?

To be more concise, “Very Immense”.

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Against Grand Canyon, Duke made it look easy once again in transition and around the top of the key. Essentially, it was Allen and Jackson who were the phenoms of game two.

Frank Jackson and Grayson Allen combined for 47 points, as Allen led the Blue Devils with 25 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the field. The freshman contributed 21 points, on 7-of-10 field goal shooting. Graduate player Amile Jefferson had 15 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the field, while Luke Kennard chipped in 14 points.

No.1 Duke (2-0), had nearly the same statistical data from game one against the Red Foxes. As a squad, the Blue Devils shot incredibly well with a 53.3 % field goal percentage, 37.9% from three-point territory, and 67.7% from the free throw line.

Grand Canyon shot moderately well, with a 41.9 field goal percentage, followed by a 50.0 % free throw percentage.

Looking ahead on the Blue Devils schedule, the Kansas Jayhawks will be the next challenge coming up.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Duke, in the State Farms Champion Classic on ESPN.

Two of the nation’s best will square off on Tuesday Nov.15.

Who’s your pick?

Of course, I have my Blue Devils coming out victorious.

You know why?

Because No.1 Duke is, “Charged Up”.

Hopefully against the Jayhawks, it’ll be 3000 watts.

3000 watts of being charged up, would equal a 3-0 start.

We are BLUE DEVIL NATION!

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