The Terps, 12-6, 2-2, face a daunting task against #6 Duke (16-3, 4-1) tomorrow night at Comcast. Emotions are always high against the Blue Devils, and will be raised further with the court being named after Gary Williams (there are pictures to be found already at several sites online).
Duke is coming off a 3 point loss to FSU.
The Blue Devils have also lost to Temple, and to Ohio State.
Among their wins are Michigan State, Tennessee, Michigan, Kansas, Washington, and UVA.
Duke enters the game:
10th overall in PPG: 80.5
133rd overall in Rebounds: 35.6
134th overall in Assists: 13.4
13th overall in FG%: .492
The Terps are:
168th in PPG: 68.7
93rd in Rebounds: 36.5
308th overall in Assists: 10.8
178th overall in FG%: .434
Duke has 8 players averaging 12.4+ minutes per game, and 10 players averaging over 8.5. Five different Blue Devils are scoring in double-figures, with Freshman Austin Rivers leading Duke at 14.4 ppg. Rivers is shooting 44% from the field, 40% from 3, but only 69% from the line.
Duke as a whole, is shooting a surprisingly low 69% from the FT line.
Mason Plumlee (who is joined by brothers Miles, and Marshall) is averaging 9.3 boards per game, and is shooting 61% from the floor.
In Duke’s 3 losses, Ryan Kelly has scored 0 points against Ohio State, 5 points against Temple, and 10 points against FSU. For the year, he averages 12.4 ppg.
Had MD split with FSU and Temple, they would be in decent shape overall tournament resume wise. With those two losses, the pressure increases for a ‘marquee’ victory over Duke or UNC in the 4 games against those teams. Obviously a win in any of those games is unlikely, but the odds are better at home.
For the Terps to compete, MD has to be able to do the following:
1) Get to the foul line, and covert.
2) Win on the boards.
3) Avoid excess turnovers, and lost possessions.
We know that Len injured his ankle against Temple, but Turgeon expects him to be able to play tomorrow. After 12 points and 11 boards against NCST, Len has provided very little scoring (8 total points) in the following four games. Even if he is not scoring tomorrow, he has to provide help on the boards like he did against Georgia Tech (9 rebounds).
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.