Stock Up, Stock Down: Examining a second straight Duke basketball loss

Cassius Stanley

If it weren’t for Cassius Stanley, Duke probably loses to Louisville by more than 20 points.

Stanley dropped a career high 24 points and 11 rebounds on 7-of-17 shooting from the floor, but the freshman did struggle from 3-point range, only making 1-of-7.

The Los Angeles native put the loss on himself after he air-balled a transition 3-pointer that could’ve tied the game at 73, but instead it virtually ended Duke’s comeback attempt.

Cassius Stanley’s postgame comments show that the freshman has a upperclassman-like mentality but the young star should be praised for his performance Saturday as if not for him, things could have gotten pretty ugly.

Matthew Hurt

Matthew Hurt was another player that kept Duke hanging around in the first half despite his defensive struggles.

Hurt finished the game with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting and 3-of-5 from 3-point range while making all three of his free throw attempts.

The freshman certainly has his issues on the defensive side of the ball, which ultimately impact his teammates in a negative manner, but it’s Hurt’s offensive potential that keeps him on the floor and so important for this Duke team.