By: Ben McCormick
December 30, 2022
For the second time this month, Duke is coming off a 10+ day break before playing a conference opponent. Last Tuesday's loss at Wake Forest was the only game No. 17 Duke played during a three-week period. From Dec. 11-30, Duke only played the Demon Deacons, and it was without two of its star freshman: Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead, who were out with a non-COVID illness. It's no wonder they lost, given everything. But Duke looked young, and quite frankly—bad against Wake.
In the three games Duke has played since claiming its lone conference win over Boston College on Dec. 3, only one of them was played a "full strength". Even then, I do not know just how healthy Jeremy Roach was. The junior captain suffered a toe injury in the team's loss to No. 1 Purdue in November and has been playing on it until he missed one game against Maryland Eastern Shore on Dec. 10. Now, after three weeks of healing, and only one game played, Duke fans can perhaps be hopeful that Roach's injury has subsided.
Now, at 10-3 Duke will take on a team that began its season 1-9, and currently stands at 4-10. On paper, Florida State appears to be an easy win, especially at home. But pay no mind to this team's start, look at how they've been playing as of late. The Seminoles are coming off of a win over Notre Dame, and even played No. 13 Virginia within five points (and No. 1 Purdue within 10). FSU is no powerhouse, in fact they are ranked 151st by KenPom, but they are hardly a team Duke can afford to look past, especially coming off a resume tarnishing loss to Wake Forest already.
Guards Darin Green Jr. and Matthew Cleveland lead the Seminoles in scoring at 13.7 PPG each. In fact, all four of their top scorers are guards. If Duke can stop perimeter scoring and penetration, it should have success against FSU.
Hopefully fully healthy, Duke has a chance to get back on track and pick up its final win of 2022 on Saturday.
@Duke_Wisdom
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