By: Ben McCormick
November 23, 2022
The matchup with Oregon State should be an easy one for the Blue Devils. The Beavers were an abysmal 3-28 a season ago. However at 3-1, they have already matched their win total from last season. Their first loss of the season came to Portland State this past Saturday, Nov. 19, by a score of 79-66. Portland State, another team in the PK85, was one of the three teams Oregon State beat in 2021-2022. Alas, they were not able to repeat the same success this season. The Beavers trailed nearly wire to wire against Portland State, and none of their three wins are particularly impressive either (three-point win over Tulsa; 17 point win over Florida A&M; and Bushnell, a NAIA school—essentially division II).
Duke, who is ranked 10th by KenPom's statistical ranking system, should have quite the advantage over the 243rd ranked Beavers.
Expect Duke to try to get recent returnees Dariq Whitehead and Dereck Liveky more involved offensively in hopes to sharpen their games in preparation for the later rounds of the tournament. With the two of them at full capacity, Duke will have a stellar nine man rotation at its disposal.
Still, you can never look past an opponent. The Beavers will be every bit as hungry as Duke will.
Comments