Duke basketball: Georgia Tech matchup a ‘must win’ for Blue Devils

The Duke basketball team is facing a ‘must win’ on Saturday against Georgia Tech. 

There are no questions anymore. The Duke basketball team must win on Saturday afternoon against Georgia Tech (8-12, 1-9 ACC).

Head coach Josh Pastner and the Yellow Jackets are the doormat — aside from Louisville — of the ACC.

Georgia Tech has not won since stunning then No. 12 Miami at home on January 4 and is averaging just 68.9 points per game while shooting a struggling 31.2-percent from 3-point range and a horrid 69.2-percent from the free throw line.

Duke (14-6, 5-4 ACC) will be without Dariq Whitehead (lower leg) on Saturday but the Blue Devils have only won one true road game (Boston College) this season, albeit in a nail-biting 65-64 victory.

ALSO READ: Dariq Whitehead injury update leaves questions

Each of the six losses for the Blue Devils have come away from Cameron Indoor Stadium — four coming in true road games in the ACC and Jon Scheyer’s team cannot add another to its resume.

Saturday has to be a laugher for Duke.

Duke basketball needs victory ahead of daunting stretch

Tuesday begins a stretch of games that features Wake Forest, North Carolina, No. 20 Miami, and No. 7 Virginia, with the latter two games coming on the road.

There is no margin for error in Atlanta for these Blue Devils, who are listed as an 8-point road favorite.

There cannot be any more extend scoring droughts or poor execution. The defense has to be sharp and tenacious, which it has not been in recent games.

ALSO READ: Jon Scheyer tells Jaden Schutt to ‘be ready’

The size advantage is clearly with the Blue Devils and the premier talent rests with the visitors as well.

It has all the makings of a blowout if Duke shows up and executes at a high level.

And it better be.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00p.m. EST (ACC Network) inside McCamish Pavilion.