Duke Basketball: 3 takeaways for Blue Devils home victory over NC State

Duke Basketball collided with NC State Monday night on ESPN at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils were coming off three losses in their last four games and NC State was hoping to come off the bubble. Two different teams with two different goals, but each needing a win.

NC State Wolfpack walked into Cameron indoor Stadium needing a victory and smelling a vulnerable opponent The Wolfpack pounced quickly on Duke Basketball and opened up the game with a 7-2 run within the first three minutes. The Blue Devils facilitated that early lead by missing their first six attempted field goals and getting their only two points from Vernon Carey Jr free-throws.

AT the ten minute mark of the first half, Duke was shooting just 2/7 from the beyond the arc as they attempted to shoot their way back into the game. During that time, NC State had outscored the Blue Devils 20-6 in the paint.

With Duke not being able to contain the dribble drive from guards Devon Daniels and Markell Johnson, Coach K switched into a 2-3 zone defense, which resulted in the Wolfpack missing their next two perimeter shots. The zone would help Duke get their first lead in 53 minutes versus NC State, for they never led back on February, 19th.

Wendell Moore Jr. would hit two free-throws to put Duke into the lead again going into the half time break at 38-36.

NC State saw their ‘get off the bubble-free card’ disappear by 10:57 of the second half when CJ Bryce made a three-pointer out of a timeout to put an end to Duke’s 8-0. It may have cut Duke’s lead to seven, but the Blue Devil’s would continue to extend that lead for an 88-69 final score

The final score will look like an easy home win for Coach K and company, but a number of interesting scenarios developed in the first half that Coach K needs to recognize.