Duke basketball: Studs and duds as Blue Devils emphatically return

It was an emphatic return for the Duke basketball team to the court after a two-week break. 

After two weeks away from the court, the Duke basketball program returned without missing a beat on Tuesday night against South Carolina State, winning 103-62.

The No. 2 Blue Devils were dealt an injury blow hours prior to tipoff as Marquette graduate transfer Theo John was ruled out with a back injury and is listed as day-to-day, according to head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

However, Duke did have the rest of its roster available, and it was too much to handle for the Bulldogs, who proved to be a far inferior opponent.

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In their final week before conference play, the Blue Devils shot 55.9-percent from the field, 55.6-percent from 3-point range, and 91.7-percent from the free throw line.

Duke also scored 60 points in the first half, the most points the team has scored in any half this season.

Six different players scored at least ten points in the victory, and 11 of the 12 players that took the floor on Tuesday night were able to register at least two points.

In addition to the scoring barrage, no one played more than 27 minutes for Duke.

Duke basketball scrambling for new opposition

The Blue Devils will play Appalachian State on Thursday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium, but it was announced on Wednesday morning that Duke’s game on Saturday against Cleveland State has been canceled because of COVID-19.

Cleveland State’s program has paused due to a high number of positive tests.

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Duke is actively looking for a new opponent for Saturday afternoon in its final tuneup before ACC play as the Blue Devils will host Virginia Tech on Wednesday night.