One player: Tyrese Proctor
Tuesday was nothing short of a career outing for the point guard. At numerous junctures where Duke could not seem to find nylon, it was Proctor who stepped up. The Aussie shot his way to a career-high 24 points on an impressive 9-of-16 from the floor, the brunt of which came from the perimeter as he shot 4-of-10 from deep. Proctor’s scoring was coupled with his usual work as a facilitator as he dished out four
While the recovery of Jeremy Roach and Mark Mitchell took the spotlight in this game, Proctor himself has made a noteworthy comeback from injury this season. Sidelined by a left ankle sprain during Duke’s road trip to Atlanta, the 6-foot-5 floor general missed a significant portion of December. During his absence, Caleb Foster assumed the starting point guard role, taking over the primary ball-handling duties that Proctor had held since Jon Scheyer’s midseason adjustments last year. As Duke enjoyed a convincing win streak during Proctor’s recovery, Scheyer opted to bring him off the bench for his first four games back. In these matchups, Proctor’s scoring was somewhat limited, reaching double figures only once against Syracuse with 14 points, as he worked to regain his agility and athleticism after the injury.
Against Louisville, Scheyer once again had Proctor come off the bench as the team gradually returned to the successful scheme established during his absence. However, this time, Proctor exhibited a distinct change — confidence. Confidence became the x-factor in Proctor’s game, as the point guard displayed flashy handles and a newfound conviction in his shot that had been absent since his standout performance against Tennessee in last season’s NCAA tournament second-round contest. When Proctor plays with the mindset he showcased on Tuesday night, Duke’s potential is significantly heightened by the presence of a skilled and versatile scorer.
One word: Momentum
The ongoing struggles for the Blue Devils can be traced back to their consistent vulnerability to their opponents’ momentum. This weakness was glaringly evident in their defeat to Pittsburgh at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where the team seemed unable to make crucial stops in the final minutes, allowing the Panthers to capitalize on their accurate perimeter shooting. Consequently, Duke lost control of the game’s pace and their own composure. This issue persisted in their Tuesday matchup at the KFC Yum! Center. Despite having once held an 18-point lead, Duke saw their advantage diminish as Louisville seized momentum. The Cardinals closed the first half with six successful field goals on seven attempts, extending their dominance into the second half with an 8-2 run. This shift allowed Louisville and their home crowd to dictate the game, forcing the Blue Devils to navigate the remaining time without a significant safety cushion.
However, the dynamic nature of momentum played a crucial role. With 7:08 left in the second half, sophomore Tyrese Proctor confidently executed a stepback three-pointer against Louisville’s Mike James, propelling Duke to an eight-point lead. This spectacular play silenced the Louisville fans, putting the Blue Devils back in control. They outscored the Cardinals 15-9 for the remainder of the game, securing a comfortable 14-point victory.
One stat: Mark Mitchell 8-of-11 from the floor
While Proctor’s standout performance may have earned him the player of the game accolades, the return of Mark Mitchell was truly outstanding. The 6-foot-9 forward showcased remarkable efficiency, appearing to be back in peak form after sitting out the previous two games. He delivered an impressive 8-of-11 shooting performance, complemented by a 4-for-5 night from the free-throw line, contributing a total of 20 points. Mitchell’s proficiency and effectiveness in the paint, accounting for 35.3% of the team’s scoring in that area, address a critical need for the Blue Devils in establishing a formidable front court presence. As he continues to establish himself as a reliable threat around the rim, Mitchell’s gravitational pull will create opportunities not only for his frontcourt counterpart Kyle Filipowski but also for Duke’s abundance of sharpshooters beyond the arc.
