The Blue Devils are set to compete against Pitt for the second time this season. In an initiative to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the Duke and Pitt men’s basketball programs have collaborated to host the inaugural “Hoops4ALS” games.
In the initial encounter on January 9 in Pittsburgh, the Blue Devils emerged victorious with a scoreline of 75-53. Duke dominated the first half, making 9-of-17 three-pointers, securing a substantial 48-23 lead by halftime, and ultimately clinching the game with a final score of 75-53. Kyle Filipowski played a pivotal role, contributing 26 points and 10 rebounds to the team’s success.
The upcoming match is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET in the renowned Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC, with a seating capacity of 9,314.
Head-to-Head Statistics:
- Overall, Duke holds the lead with a record of 17 wins to 8.
- In Durham, NC, Duke maintains a lead of 7-3.
- The advantage at Cameron Indoor Stadium, located in Durham, NC, is in favor of Duke with a record of 7-2.
- In Pittsburgh, PA, Duke leads with a record of 8-4.
- At the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Duke holds a 5-2 lead.
- Neutral sites see Duke in the lead with a record of 2-1.
Broadcast Information:
- The game will be televised/streamed on ACCN.
- Play-by-Play: Wes Durham
- Analyst: Dan Bonner
- Director: Caleb Waters
- Producer: Will Black
Radio Coverage:
- Blue Devil Sports Net will provide radio coverage.
- Play-by-Play: David Shumate
- Analyst: John Roth
- Engineer: John Rose
- In Durham, tune in to 96.5 FM & 620 AM.
- SiriusXM channel: 84.
The Teams
Pitt Panthers
As of Saturday, Pitt is facing a two-game losing streak, holding a record of 10 wins and 7 losses, with a conference record of 1-5. The Panthers showcase notable rankings, standing 36th in the country for rebounding, 23rd in blocked shots, and 21st in 3-point attempts.
Leading the charge in scoring for Pitt is Blake Hinson, who secures the fifth position in the ACC with an impressive average of 18.1 points per game. The 6’8 senior forward is a standout performer, leading the conference and ranking 11th in the nation with an average of 3.3 three-pointers per contest. Alongside Hinson, Carlton Carrington (13.5) and Ishmael Leggett (11.6) are the only other double-figure scorers for the Panthers. Carrington takes the lead in assists with an average of 4.6 per game, while Leggett dominates the boards with an average of 5.7 rebounds per contest.
Duke Blue Devils
As of Saturday, the Blue Devils boast an impressive overall record of 13-3, with a strong 4-1 record in ACC play and are currently riding an impressive 8-game winning streak. Duke has earned the seventh spot in the nation in both assist/turnover ratio (1.82) and fewest turnovers per game (9.2).
In a noteworthy return to the starting lineup since an injury in early December, Tyrese Proctor notched 17 points against Georgia Tech on January 13. His performance included shooting 5-of-10 from the field, making 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and going a perfect 4-of-4 from the foul line. Proctor also leads the Blue Devils in assists, averaging 4.2 per game.
Over the past 10 games, Jeremy Roach has displayed excellent ball distribution with 37 assists and just eight turnovers. Roach maintains an average of 14.6 points per game for the season. Among ACC leaders, Kyle Filipowski holds impressive rankings, standing fourth in scoring (18.2 ppg), fifth in rebounding (8.9 rpg), fourth in blocked shots (1.9 bpg), and eighth in field goal percentage (.517). Filipowski serves as the leader for the Blue Devils in both scoring and rebounding.
Jared McCain and Mark Mitchell contribute significantly to the team’s success, rounding out the double-figure scoring with averages of 11.7 and 12.2 points per game, respectively.
Stats Comparison
| G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 16 | 40.0 | 29.1 | 59.9 | .485 | 21.0 | 38.6 | .544 | 8.1 | 21.3 | .378 | 15.8 | 21.2 | .746 | 9.9 | 26.3 | 36.2 | 16.7 | 7.2 | 4.1 | 9.2 | 15.3 | 82.0 |
| Pitt | 17 | 40.0 | 26.6 | 62.4 | .426 | 17.3 | 34.2 | .506 | 9.3 | 28.2 | .330 | 13.8 | 20.2 | .683 | 13.2 | 27.0 | 40.2 | 14.4 | 6.8 | 5.1 | 10.0 | 15.4 | 76.3 |
Projected Lineup
Duke Blue Devils
G Jeremy Roach 6’2, 180lbs SR
G Jared McCain 6’3, 197lbs FR
G Caleb Foster 6’5, 197lbs FR
F Mark Mitchell 6’9, 232lbs SO
C Kyle Filipowski 7’0, 248lbs SO
Pitt Panthers
G Jaland Lowe 6’3, 170lbs FR
G Carlton Carrington 6’5, 190lbs FR
F Zack Austin 6’7, 210lbs RJR
F Blake Hinson 6’8, 230lbs SR
F Guillermo Diaz Graham 7’0, 220lbs SO
Thoughts
From the first game preview:
The Blue Devils will once again need to emphasize the importance of defending the 3-point line in their upcoming matchup against the Panthers. Pitt stands out as the 20th team in the country in terms of three-point attempts and ranks 30th in successful three-point shots. Their willingness to launch a substantial number of 3-pointers per game, ranging from 30 to 50 attempts, demands careful consideration from the Duke defense.
Of particular concern is Blake Hinson, who boasts a 40% accuracy from beyond the arc. Additionally, Guillermo Diaz Graham, with a 35% three-point shooting proficiency, poses a threat and is capable of getting hot during the game. Kyle Filipowski, likely tasked with guarding Diaz, needs to approach the matchup as if he’s defending a guard. Despite being a 7-foot forward, Diaz Graham possesses an extraordinary wingspan and demonstrates fluid driving abilities from outside the post. Duke must pay special attention to defending corner 3-pointers resulting from penetration, as Pitt has the potential to capitalize on defensive lapses or miscommunications.
A notable figure on the Pitt roster is Carlton “Bub” Carrington, a four-time ACC Freshman of the Week recipient and a skilled shot maker. Although not highly proficient from the 3-point line, Carrington is a streaky shooter with the capability of hitting multiple shots in succession. Limiting the scoring impact of this freshman guard will present a challenging assignment for the Blue Devils’ guard core.
Additional thoughts after the first game:
In the initial matchup against Pitt, the Blue Devils showcased a dominant defensive performance, limiting the Panthers to a mere 32.8% shooting throughout the game. Duke’s defensive prowess extended to the rebounding department, where they outperformed a formidable Pitt team by securing a 42-26 advantage on the boards. On the offensive end, the Blue Devils were on fire, shooting an impressive 51.8% from the field and maintaining a 44% accuracy from beyond the arc. Particularly noteworthy was Duke’s control of the points-in-the-paint category, where they asserted a commanding 32-12 advantage.
As the Blue Devils prepare for the upcoming matchup, it’s crucial to avoid seeking a knockout punch early in the game. Patience, efficiency, and a steady approach are key against an opponent where the lead might not grow as quickly as anticipated. Running plays through Filipowski, who has demonstrated the ability to find open teammates when faced with double-teams, becomes a focal point. Opting for high-quality three-point attempts rather than settling for them is emphasized. Additionally, the guards on the team have shown proficiency in hitting open threes when taken in rhythm. If outside shots are not readily available, the team can capitalize on Filipowski’s presence in the paint or utilize Jeremy Roach’s driving capabilities. Maintaining this balanced offensive strategy will be crucial for the Blue Devils’ success.