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Duke returns from extended break with giant defensive challenge

By Kevin Connelly

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 29: Chandler Vaudrin #52 of the Winthrop Eagles tries to move away from the defense of Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 29: Chandler Vaudrin #52 of the Winthrop Eagles tries to move away from the defense of Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Basketball team finally returns to game action from its extended break, but the Blue Devils have a huge defensive challenge facing the Wofford Terriers.

It’s been just under two weeks, but it feels like two years. However, the Duke Basketball team is finally back on the floor on Thursday night.

The Blue Devils welcome in the Wofford Terriers who have made themselves at home on Tobacco Road, winning in its last two trips to the triangle, but both victories coming against the North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.

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Wofford took down North Carolina 68-64 on Sunday afternoon to improve to 7-4 on the season and extend its winning streak to five straight games.

Thursday night will also be the second of four straight road games for Wofford, as the Terriers face Kennesaw State and East Tennessee State after its trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Wofford is a team that loves to shoot the 3-point ball and as a team the Terriers shoot 38.9% from 3-point territory. Leading the pack for Wofford is Storm Murphy who averages 14.5 points per game and 54.5% from 3-point range.

Duke has hung its hat on the defensive side of the ball in the beginning of the season, but in recent games, the Blue Devils experienced trouble in trying to slow down opposing teams, but the extended break gives Duke a chance to get back to its defensive roots.

Offensively, the Blue Devils have found its stride feeding Vernon Carey Jr., but in its latest win over Virginia Tech, it was a collective team effort that saw all ten players that received minutes scoring at least two points.

Will the rest benefit Duke, or will it bring a layer of rust that will need to be shaken off quickly against this lethal Wofford team?

ALSO READ: Will Duke basketball return from break rested or rusty?

That’s the real question and we will all know the answer at 7:00pm EST on December 19 as the game will be televised on ESPN2.

PREDICTION: Duke 78, Wofford 63

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