NC State at Duke: Gameday Open Thread

Duke looks to regain its mojo from earlier in the season with a home game against the team that started it all—when it comes to the Blue Devils’ late-season slide.

Duke was on a roll, winners of seven straight, and looking to take the ACC regular season title when the Blue Devils hit a buzz saw 12 days ago on a trip to NC State. The Wolfpack dominated Duke, winning 88-66.

The Blue Devils thought they righted the ship the following game, beating Virginia Tech at home, but last week saw Duke lose back-to-back road games, a double-overtime shocker at Wake Forest and a last-second loss at Virginia.

First place seems out of reach, and the Blue Devils are left to try to salvage an NCAA two seed and a first-weekend trip to nearby Greensboro. Wins in the final two regular season games this week, followed by a solid showing in the ACC Tournament would go a long way.

State looks to add another high-profile win to its NCAA resume. The Pack are 18-11, 9-9 in the ACC and in a logjam of five teams tied for fifth. Not all of them are getting bids, so the Wolfpack needs to emerge from the crowd.

Duke will look to solve Markell Johnson, the State point guard who hit 5-of-6 from three on his way to 28 points in the first meeting. Devon Daniels also had a career scoring high against Duke in the game, and DJ Funderburk outplayed Vernon Carey inside.

Duke going with a new starting lineup, it’s 13th: Javin DeLaurier, Vernon Carey Jr, Joey Baker, Cassius Stanley, Tre Jones

DeLaurier is the tenth different Blue Devil to start a game this year

State leads 7-4 at the under 16. Duke is 1 of its first 8 from the field.

Johnson and Daniels both have driving layups for State. Jones and DeLaurier have both missed layups, and Hurt a point-blank jumper, for Duke.

Duke now 1-for-13. State is up 11-4 with 13:28 to go in the half.

DeLaurier lost his man, leading to a Funderburk dunk. Next trip down the floor, Daniels beat Moore down court for a layup. Then a DeLaurier to Moore lob leads to a turnover and the two have words with each other heading to the bench. Not a good look for the senior captain or for Moore.

15-10 NC State at the under 12. Duke is 3-of-16 with 6 turnovers. Lucky to be as close as it is. Justin Robinson comes in after the time out, so coach K seems to agree it wasn't a good look for DeLaurier.

Robinson again rewards the coaches for playing him early with a pair of three-pointers. Duke still down five.

Markell Johnson travels taking us to the under eight. A Tre Jones three on the previous possession makes it 23-21 State

Duke is 4-of-9 from three, 3-of-13 from two.

State up 29-25 as Duke calls time out with 5:03 to go before half. State just got a steal and layup. Lead in transition points 6-0. Lead in points in paint 20-6.

Vernon Carey has taken one shot so far.

Duke briefly held the lead, but State has put some distance between them at 32-25, on a 9-0 run. Duke has missed two layups over the run.

Somehow, Duke takes the lead with four seconds left in the half on four straight transition points by Wendell Moore. State misses at the buzzer and we go to the break with Duke up 38-36.

State shot 50% for the half, Duke 36.1%. Blue Devils had nine turnovers. Duke stayed in it on the boards. Outrebounded State 26-14 and had 7-0 edge on second-chance points.

Manny Bates picks up his third foul in the second minute of the second half. Funderburk has two.

Wendell Moore misses a nearly uncontested layup, but State loses the rebound out of bounds. Duke ball after the under 16. State leads 46-44.

Goldwire, Hurt and Robinson are a combined 9-of-12. Rest of the team is 7-of-30

7-0 run by Duke gets State to call time with 13:39 to go. Blue Devils up 51-46.

Vernon Carey picks up his third foul, wrestling with Funderburk away from the ball. WE go to the under 12 with Duke up 55-49. State ball.

Quick 4-0 run after the break with a Moore transition layup and a Stanley dunk puts Duke up 59-49. State takes a time out.

Funderburk picks up his third foul.

Cassius Stanley taking over right now. Two dunks, three point play and now goes to the line. Taking it hard to the hoop every time he gets it. He hits 1 of 2 FTs to give him 16. Duke up 69-56. We go to the under 8 with Duke up 71-56.

Vernon Carey getting involved. Up to 15 points, 7 rebounds and a nice bounce pass assist to Stanley. Duke up 79-63 at the under 4.

Duke's switch to zone for much of this half helped cut down on the dribble penetration. Duke still dominating the boards though, 43-24.

CJ Bryce leaves the game after getting hit on a Tre Jones drive. Originally went to bench but just went back to locker room. Manny Bates fouls out near halfcourt. State running low on guys.

Duke finishes off an 88-69 win

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