No. 2 Duke has excelled in most categories, but it is not all good news heading into the weekend.
The Blue Devils may be without a couple of players due to injuries that occurred at an unfavorable moment.
So how Duke handles the newest roster changes will be worth watching when Florida State visits Durham, N.C., for Saturday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.
Duke (25-3, 16-1) is on a five-game winning run, with an average margin of 31 points. The ACC has never had more conference victories by more than 25 points in a single season than this year.
“We know what’s ahead,” stated coach Jon Scheyer. “We know what conflicts we’re going to face. We’re aware that it may happen any night.”
Tyrese Proctor, a junior guard, exited Duke’s 97-60 victory over Miami on Tuesday night due to a knee injury. He’s out indefinitely, but it’s not expected to be a season-ending injury.
Florida State (16-12, 7-10) has dropped two straight games and will look for only its third road win this season.
So freshman Isaiah Evans, who has recently increased his output and started the second half of the Miami game, may play a larger role.
“Isaiah has established himself with what he has done,” Scheyer told the crowd. “It’s simple to discuss the shooting. His defense has been exceptional. He defends the ball as effectively as anyone.”
Evans hit five 3-pointers in the first half Tuesday. In the previous three games, he’s averaged 16.7 points and is 13-for-19 on three-pointers.
“You’ve just got to trust yourself at the end of the day,” Evans told me.
Florida State has allowed 89 and 96 points in its past two games, so defense will be crucial for the Seminoles.
Guard Jamir Watkins has been Florida State’s leading scorer in six of the previous seven games. The redshirt senior averages 18.4 points per game, including a career-high 26 on Monday in a 96-85 defeat to North Carolina.
Jerry Deng also scored a season-high 16 points for the Seminoles, including four of the team’s ten 3-pointers.
“Every time he plays, he gets better,” said coach Leonard Hamilton. “If you think about it, he should still be in high school for his final year. However, he came out a year early. He has made incredible growth.”
Duke’s victory against Miami was the highest final margin in a game between two ACC clubs this season. Despite the streak of lopsided triumphs, there’s no reason to give up.
“I just think our mission is bigger,” Scheyer stated. “This requires a tremendous deal of humility. It’s delicate. It can alter fast. I admire our team’s deadly instinct. I enjoy the approach to each game. They haven’t made any significant achievements.”
Scheyer, in his third season as Duke’s coach, is 79-21 in his first 100 games since succeeding Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski.
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