By: Ben McCormick
January 4, 2023
The No. 16 Duke Blue Devils travel just down the road to take on the NC State Wolfpack (11-4, 1-3).
The Blue Devils are fresh off a win over Florida State in which they were led by two unlikely heroes: Jaylen Blakes and Ryan Young. The pair combined for 37 points as Duke won by nearly 20-points. Despite the success of Young and Blakes, Duke's leading scorers Kyle Filipowski and Jeremy Roach have been uncharacteristically off over the last few games. Both players have been turnover prone and Filipowski has failed to score in double-figures in either of their last two, after scoring 10+ in each of Duke's first 12 games.
As Duke's leading scorers look to get back on track, Dariq Whitehead looks to assert his place as a star on the team. The young Blue Devil has missed time with an injury, but he is averaging 15.5 PPG in his last two games.
Duke looks to defend a high powered NC State offense, especially its guards. Terquavion Smith, the sophomore and projected lottery pick will prove especially difficult to contain. His 18.1 PPG and 5.3 APG place him third in the ACC in both categories. Guards Jarkel Joiner and Casey Morsell make up State's big three on the perimeter. Joiner averages 15.7 PPG while Morsell averages 13.9.
The Wolfpack lost its last game to Clemson, but they are hungry for a resume defining win as they sit on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament. Games at NC State have always proven troublesome for Duke.
@Duke_Wisdom
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