MIAMI — No. 2 Duke men’s basketball is in the Watsco Center for an ACC game versus Miami. After 20 minutes of play, the Blue Devils have taken a 47-32 lead:
Hurricane downgraded to rain
Without key storm-brewers Matthew Cleveland and Nijel Pack, Miami would constantly struggle to generate offense. The Hurricanes didn’t start well, missing their first four three-pointers and five of their first six goals. Duke’s fourth-ranked defense shut down perimeter shooters Brandon Johnson and A.J. Stanton-McCray. The latter had an early forgettable moment, airballing a three with 15:11 remaining in the half, trailing 11-2.
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Duke’s Depth Shines as Blue Devils Dominate Miami
With 13:07 remaining and Duke holding a commanding 15-4 lead, head coach Jon Scheyer experimented with a unique lineup to keep the Hurricanes at bay. The rotation featured sharpshooter Isaiah Evans, aggressive slasher Caleb Foster, interior force Patrick Ngongba II, playmaker Sion James, and standout Cooper Flagg. Though this unit hadn’t spent much time on the floor together, they delivered some exciting highlights. Foster attacked the baseline and converted a layup that danced around the rim before dropping in. Shortly after, Ngongba swatted a Miami layup attempt deep into the stands, preserving Duke’s 17-6 advantage with 11:51 left. By testing different lineup combinations, Scheyer is looking to build chemistry that could prove valuable in high-pressure situations come March.
Success and Struggles in the Paint
After struggling from beyond the arc early, Miami adjusted its approach, opting to attack inside for higher-percentage shots. However, Duke’s defense stepped up, blocking four attempts—two from freshman Khaman Maluach and one from James.
Despite their strong rim protection, the Blue Devils struggled on the glass, getting outrebounded 18-11. They allowed 10 offensive boards, though Miami managed just six second-chance points. While the Hurricanes couldn’t fully capitalize, Duke will need to clean up its rebounding to avoid being punished by stronger opponents.
Proctor Suffers Knee Injury Before Halftime
In the closing seconds of the first half, junior guard Tyrese Proctor was injured while attempting to contest a fast-break layup by Miami’s Divine Ugochukwu. The two players collided knees, and Ugochukwu landed awkwardly on Proctor’s foot. The impact left Proctor in visible pain as he immediately hobbled to the locker room before Duke’s medical staff could assist him. A key contributor for the Blue Devils, Proctor is averaging 12.0 points and 3.2 assists per game.
Standout Performer: Isaiah Evans
Freshman Isaiah Evans provided an instant spark off the bench. The Fayetteville, N.C., native wasted no time, drilling a pull-up three from just right of center. On the very next possession, he confidently returned to the same spot, sinking another three while drawing a foul, converting a four-point play that electrified Duke’s traveling fan base. His hot streak continued, as his fifth three-pointer of the half extended Duke’s lead to 29-14 with 8:27 left, giving the Blue Devils a wave of momentum they carried into the break. Evans finished the first half with an impressive 16 points, including five made threes.
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