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Duke Basketball: Blue Devils get a chance at revenge in East Lansing

By Kevin Connelly

Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Basketball team has learned of its opponent for the ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge this year and it will be a familiar foe on their home court.

To say the Michigan State Spartans put a sour taste in the mouths of Duke players, coaches, and fans would be an understatement after the Spartans ended the season of the Blue Devils in the Elite 8, but Duke will have a chance at revenge next season.

It was announced on Thursday that Duke would be heading up to Michigan State to face the Spartans in the ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge on December 3.

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Duke will surprisingly return three starters from this game since Alex O’Connell started in place of Cam Reddish who mysteriously missed the Sweet 16 game against Virginia Tech.

However, Reddish played 37 minutes in this game compared to O’Connell’s three. The Blue Devils also return Javin DeLaurier and Tre Jones from last years roster.

Jack White, who logged three minutes off the bench, will also be on the floor again for Duke.

Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Marques Bolden, along with Reddish, will obviously not be on the team next year as all of them have opted to leave Duke early and pursue professional careers.

Michigan State will also return three members of their staring five from the March battle in Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, and Xavier Tillman.

Tom Izzo lost Matt McQuid and Kenny Goins to graduation while impact big man off the bench Nick Ward opted for the NBA.

Both teams will have impact freshmen on the floor come December, as ESPN ranks Duke as the No. 2 recruiting class while Michigan State with the No. 24.

The Blue Devils bring in Vernon Carey Jr., who’s decision came down Duke and Michigan State, Wendell Moore, Matthew Hurt, and Cassius Stanley. The Spartans will have two four-star recruits in Rocket Watts Jr. and Malik Hall.

Duke is an ACC-best 18-2 in the ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge, with both losses coming on the road, while Michigan State is 8-11, but seven of its wins have come at home.

The Blue Devils beat the Spartans back in 2003, 2004, 2010, and 2016 in the challenge with all of the games taking place in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

A time and official network have yet to be announced for this game, but expect this game to be a 9:00pm EST primetime start on ESPN.

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