No. 1 Duke to take the court for final time, looking to respond vs. Winthrop
Friday night is a chance for redemption, to an extent, for the Duke Basketball team as the Blue Devils are looking to bounce back from its loss against Winthrop.
The Duke Blue Devils will take the floor for the last time for the foreseeable future as the No. 1 team in the country on Friday night.
Duke will host the Winthrop Eagles but coming off of its overtime loss to Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday night, it’s time for the Blue Devils to show the country what they are made of.
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It’s easy to be energetic and excited when you are winning, but for the first time this season, Duke got punched in the mouth and the Lumberjacks knocked the Blue Devils down, almost knocking them out.
As Duke tries to get up and walk back into its corner, a team with a 4-3 record is coming into Cameron Indoor Stadium and if Tuesday night taught this Duke team anything, hopefully it taught them not to take any team lightly.
Winthrop’s 4-3 record is a bit deceiving, to be honest. The Eagles’ three losses are by a combined eight points and Winthrop went on the road earlier in the month and defeated then No. 18 St. Mary’s.
The Blue Devils were lethargic on Tuesday night and never responded to a Stephen F. Austin run as they should have.
Let’s not beat around the bush, Duke is more talented than Winthrop, Mike Krzyzewski is a better coach than Pat Kelsey, Winthrop’s head coach, and Duke should win the basketball game.
But that’s not the point.
Duke needs to come out angry, come out motivated, hold nothing back, and take no prisoners.
Start the game on a 15-3 run, or something to that effect. The last thing that can happen for Duke to start this game is the offense is stagnant once again, shots aren’t falling, and the Blue Devils get behind by double-digits early.
Get mad, get angry, and show it.
Duke and Winthrop will tipoff at 7:00 pm EST from Cameron Indoor Stadium and the game will be broadcasted on the ACC Network.
PREDICTION: Duke 81, Winthrop 54