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Duke Basketball: With Zion’s status unknown, Blue Devils look to respond

By Kevin Connelly

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball around Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball around Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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Zion Williamson’s status is unknown, but nonetheless the Duke Basketball team will be looking to avenge Tuesday’s loss with a win on Saturday.

There has been no official word on the status of Zion Williamson if he will play or not on Saturday afternoon against the Miami Hurricanes.

While many fans around the world want to see Zion back in action with the Blue Devils, Duke could easily defeat the Hurricanes at home without him.

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In fact, I think Duke could beat Miami at Cameron Indoor Stadium without its entire starting five. The Hurricanes are 12-15 on the season and 4-11 in ACC play.

Miami has defeated Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Georgia Tech in ACC play, but its best game came in defeat against the North Carolina Tar Heels in early February.

The ‘Canes led for the majority of the game, but a late 3-pointer by the Heels tied the game and Carolina went on to win in overtime.

The Blue Devils are coming off of a loss to Virginia Tech on Tuesday night in which the Blue Devils didn’t seem to have much energy or hustle, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Hopefully the three days off helped the Blue Devils as R.J. Barrett was dealing with a stomach ailment on Tuesday, Cam Reddish fell hard on his back in the second half, and Jack White and Javin DeLaurier also got banged up in the defeat.

All four players did finish the game for Duke.

Duke should take care of Miami rather easily on Saturday. There are only two games left this season at Cameron Indoor Stadium and the Blue Devils need to come out in the first half and flex its muscles.

Be angry that you just lost and might have handed away the ACC regular season title.

Show no mercy, take no prisoners.

Control this game from the tipoff and leave no doubt.

The Blue Devils and Hurricanes are scheduled for a 4:00pm ET start on CBS.

PREDICTION: Duke 88, Miami 65

Stay tuned to Ball Durham on Twitter, @Ball_Durham, and here at our website, balldurham.com, for complete coverage of the Duke Blue Devils vs. the Miami Hurricanes. 

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