The Terps exploded after the start of the 2nd half to a 38-32 lead but after Coach K tongue lashing to the Blue Devils , Duke stormed back and dominated the rest of the game. Little used sub, Tyler Thornton came off the bench for Duke with 3 steals, took 2 charges and provided much needed energy to the #1 team in the land. Jordan was his usual excellent self tonight nailing his 9th double double in a row–with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Dino Gregory scored 8 with 5 bounds in a strong effort.
The surprise player of the game for the Terps was Cliff Tucker off the bench with 14 points on 6-12 shooting. Again the foul line plaqued the Terps shooting 9-18. It’s funny that I had predicted we would need 30 points from Sean, Adrian, and Cliff to win—they got 23 and we lost by 7—just coincidence.
The perimeter play of the guards left a lot to be desired tonight. I expected Stoglin would have his problems in Cameron and unfortunately I was right . Terrell was 1-11 from the field but did have 5 assists. In fairness to him 3 three point shots went in and out of the bucket. Adrian Bowiewhose offense had improved finished the game with 1 point in 28 minutes.
Kyle Singler probably had the best game he has ever had against the Terps finishing with 25 points including 3 threes. Coach K praised Gary after the game saying the Terps had just given Duke the toughest game of the year so far. “Well it was a huge win for us because we played against as well-coached a team as we have played against all year. I mean Gary [Williams]’s a great friend but he’s a great coach and his game plan against us was magnificent. They did everything possible to take Nolan [Smith] out of the game. They really crowded the paint, hopefully you can hit some shots which we didn’t any shots and they just played a really strong aggressive, physical, game. They were very good, I mean really good. We haven’t been in a game like that. Michigan State was the closest but even then I thought we were more the aggressor and tonight for the first 24 minutes they were the aggressor.”
So for the Terps, this sets up a must win situation against Wake Forest on the road Wednesday night.The Team has lost 5, any of which could have been in the win column. gary still seems confident the team will turn it around quickly. The BC loss still stings, especially when you see who they have lost to.
I was supposed to be in Durham tonight for the game but I was hit with a case of strep throat Friday night. It did cut down my yelling at the screen.
Emily K
I thought Singler has seen better games, even better games against the Terps. Both he and Smith hit their shooting strides later in the game. And both of them were helped by the lack of defense around the arc and outside of the paint. Wish I counted too, the number of times the defense left their feet for a pump fake and left the Duke players wide open for a perimeter shot.
· 11/12/2019
Bruce
Emily
Kyle Singler was 10-19 from the field and 3-7 from the 3 point line. He also had 10 rebounds. I don’t think he ever had a game against the Terps as strong as tonight’s.
Bruce
· 11/12/2019
FREDDY FROM BOCA
free throw shooting was terrible. stoglin and bowie were terrible. mosley and dino should shoot from 10 ft and in. williams should shoot from 5 ft and in. team constantly left their feet on ball fakes. yet they could have won the game with better free throw shooting, a little better defense on the perimeter and a little btter shot selection. duke was ready to be defeated last night. gary, wake up. put howard at the point and leave him alone. stop pulling him after a turnover or a charge.
· 11/12/2019
Ryan
I hate long seasons.
Honestly, they MUST win the next 3 games to make the tourney.
They have to get a quality win (thank God Penn St. knocked off Mich St.), and with a down ACC, they won’t have many more opps.
I just get so frustrated. Why can’t he recruit with the history of this program?
· 11/12/2019