Duke MBB: Taking a Look at the Biggest Game of the Year
It is only their third game of the year but it will by far be the most important and the toughest. So can the Blue Devils beat the Spartans from Michigan State?
Tomorrow night the top ranked Duke Blue Devils will take on the number two team in the country, the Michigan State Spartans. This game is a part of the annual State Farm Champions Classic which includes Duke, Michigan State, Kansas, and Kentucky. The game will be played at the United Center in Chicago. So can the Blue Devils come away with the win?
In two games Duke scored 97 in the first and 99 in the second with 49 of those points coming from star freshman Marvin Bagley III, letting up 68 and 69 points in those two games. Michigan State, lead by Miles Bridges has so far only played one game which they won 98-66. However, none of the games Duke and Michigan State have played so far mean anything. They have played teams that are going nowhere this year and teams they should beat by at least 30.
Duke Starting Lineup:
In the two games Duke played they have used the same starting five in the absence of Marques Bolden who had strep throat but should be ready for Michigan State.
Trevon Duval
Grayson Allen
Gary Trent Jr.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Marvin Bagley III
Coming into the season no one was quite sure what the starting lineup would be, if they would sit Gary Trent Jr. and play a traditional five, or sit Marques Bolden and have three guards. Marques Bolden having strep throat made that decision a little easier for Coach K who opted to start three guards.
Marques Bolden warmed up on Saturday night, however he should be ready for tomorrow night’s match-up with Michigan State. We will just have to wait and see how Coach K uses him.
Michigan State Starting Lineup:
In their sole game so far this season, Michigan State, used a traditional starting five with two guards two forwards and a center, unlike Duke who has started three guards in each of their two games.
Cassius Winston
Josh Langford
Miles Bridges
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Nick Ward
This is a team that can dominate the boards if you’re not careful and a team that can shoot if you let them. Duke is going to have to be very careful tomorrow night and they’re gonna have to use their bench if they want to make a statement by beating the second best team in the country.
Next: Things To Watch From The Duke Freshmen This Season
Prediction:
Duke 74 Michigan State 67
After a strong performance from Grayson Allen and Marvin Bagley, and a huge lift from Marques Bolden off the bench, Duke will come away with the win against the second ranked Michigan State Spartans. The Blue Devils will find a way to both shut down their shooting and win the rebounding competition ultimately leading to a Blue Devil win.