Duke Basketball: Cardinals out-hustling, thumping Blue Devils at the half
By Matt Giles
In its second consecutive game against a ranked opponent on the road, the Duke basketball team trails at halftime.
With the desired outcome at Louisville (17-7; 8-3 ACC) on Tuesday night, Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski would once again break his own record for career D-I wins. This time, though, a victory would tie the 39th-year coach with former D-II coach Harry Statham for the most career wins at any level (1,122).
But at the half, No. 2 Duke (21-2; 9-1 ACC) is 3-for-15 on 3-point attempts and has an intensity issue. As a result, No. 16 Louisville (17-7, 8-3 ACC), who is by far the more aggressive team, leads, 38-29.
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After a frigid and lackluster start from both sides — the Blue Devils were 1-for-7 from the field, including 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, yet only trailed, 3-2, at the under-16 timeout — the game quickly intensified. Over the next six minutes, baskets came from every Duke starter not named Tre Jones — R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish, Zion Williamson, and Marques Bolden.
By the under-8 timeout, the Blue Devils held a 19-17 lead but still did not have a single steal, unusual for a group that averages 10.5 per game, on pace to tie the national champion 2000-01 squad for the season record for steals per game.
And the Cardinals took advantage of Duke’s lack of defensive intensity, using their hot hands and own aggression on defense to spark transition opportunities and several big runs, culminating in a last-second tip-in heading into the locker room.
Williamson has a game-high 13 points and 7 rebounds, but that is about the only highlight from Duke’s box score. The team is 12-for-33 from the field and has six turnovers. And the defense has come away with only one steal and one block.
Barrett has eight points, Reddish has six, and Bolden has two.
Meanwhile, Louisville is shooting 43 percent from the field and has four steals and three blocks.
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Stay tuned to Ball Durham after the game for more coverage of the game.