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No. 1 Duke looking to live up to new ranking at Madison Square Garden

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Alex O'Connell #15 of the Duke Blue Devils goes in for a layup during the first half of their game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Alex O'Connell #15 of the Duke Blue Devils goes in for a layup during the first half of their game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Basketball team will look to live up to its new No. 1 ranking against the California Golden Bears at Madison Square Garden.

At this point in the 2019-20 college basketball season, Madison Square Garden is a place filled of happy memories for the Duke Blue Devils.

Just two weeks ago the then No. 4 Duke Blue Devils tipped off the season against the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks in the State Farm Champions Classic which saw Duke erase a nine point second half deficit into a two point victory.

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Now ranked as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press Top-25 Poll, the Blue Devils will head back to The Mecca for the 2K Empire Classic benefitting the Wounded Warriors Project.

The first test in New York City for Duke will be the California Golden Bears as Cal has shown signs of maturity and improvement, coming off of an eight win season and already posting four wins this season.

Duke hasn’t played since Friday, November 15 where the Blue Devils rode Tre Jones‘ 31 points to a 74-63 victory over Georgia State.

Despite the victory, several Blue Devils did not play up to expectation, but with a week to prepare and refocus, look for Duke to come out sharp and handle its business in a game that will produce another game on Friday night, regardless of the result on Thursday.

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The Blue Devils have been attacking and tenacious on defense this season and Mike Krzyzewski will have to focus his defensive game plan on California’s Matt Bradley who has been sensational this season.

Bradley is averring 20.0 points per game while shooting 56.1% from the floor, 52.4% from 3-point range, and 88.5% from the free throw line.

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If Duke is able to corral Bradley the rest of the game will fall in favor of the Blue Devils which will result in a Championship Game against either No. 22 Texas or Georgetown on Friday night in the World’s Most Famous Arena.

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Duke and California are scheduled to tipoff at approximately 9:30pm EST, pending how long the Georgetown vs. Texas game takes, but the Blue Devils and Golden Bears can be seen on ESPN2 on Thursday night.

PREDICTION: Duke 87, California 70

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