Duke Basketball: 4 Toughest January Games Without Coach K

By Michael Collins | Jan 4, 2017

Jan 6, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski looks on in the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Duke defeated Wake Forest 91-75. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) grabs a rebound in front of Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) grabs a rebound in front of Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Jan. 10 @ Florida State

Why It’s Tough:

Underrated team
Tough Road Venue
FSU Offense

Traveling to Tallahassee is never a joy, and this season the Seminoles look to be one of the best teams in the ACC. Currently ranked No. 13 and atop the conference standings, this may be a big test for the Blue Devils.

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The Seminoles – whose only blemish this season was a 3-point loss to Temple – will bring some offensive heat, scoring 86.2 points per game, and play solid defense, giving up only 68.1 in each contest. What makes FSU so dangerous is the lack of one person who teams are forced to defend. Dwayne Bacon, Jonathan Isaac and Xavier Rathan-Mayes are all averaging over 25 minutes and 10 points per game.

The Blue Devils will have to double down defensively to keep the Noles from stretching the lead early in the first half, where they’ve been proficient all season.

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