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Duke

Duke pays a visit to Clemson

By The Sports Network

Jan 15, 2012

Clemson, S.C. — GAME NOTES: The eighth-ranked Duke Blue Devils continue their run through the ACC, as the take on the Clemson Tigers in a league affair at Littlejohn Coliseum this evening.

Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils are 14-2 on the season with the losses coming at Ohio State in late November and then against Temple just 11 days ago. Since the loss to the Owls, Duke has taken care of business in-conference, opening up ACC play with victories over Georgia Tech (81-74) and Virginia (61-58).

Brad Brownell's Tigers are two games over .500 at the moment at 9-7. Clemson returns home after suffering a 59-57 loss at Boston College. The setback halted a brief two-game win streak for the Tigers and dropped them to 1-1 in conference play.

Duke has dominated this series, holding a sizeable 103-29 advantage all-time. The Blue Devils have won three straight and 25 of the last 27 meetings.

The Blue Devils have the ability to win games at either end of the floor, but the team is fueled by its efficiency at the offensive end. Duke is averaging 80.8 ppg this year, doing so on an impressive .499 shooting, which includes a .406 showing from three-point range. Four players make up the bulk of the scoring for Duke, led by freshman Austin Rivers. The 6-4 youngster has made an immediate impact, leading the team in scoring at 14.4 ppg. Seth Curry gives the team another perimeter threat at 12.8 ppg. Junior forwards Ryan Kelly (12.4 ppg) and Mason Plumlee (11.7 ppg) provide more offensive options. Plumlee has been a force down low, grabbing a team-high 9.6 rebounds per game. The Blue Devils were hampered a bit by Virginia's strong defensive play, but took their time and made each trip down the floor count in a low-scoring victory. Duke shot 52.2 percent from the floor overall, even with a poor 5- of-20 showing from long range. Plumlee led the way with 12 points in the win. Rivers and Curry finished with 11 points each, while Andre Dawkins came off the bench to tally 10.

The Tigers certainly had their chances in Chestnut Hill against Boston College, but failed to convert a single basket over the final 5:53 of the game and fell by two points to the Eagles. Andre Young led the way for Clemson with 12 points. T.J. Sapp was a close second with 11, while Milton Jennings just missed a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds. Clemson held a 33-24 advantage on the glass, but shot just .392 from the floor overall. A lack of offensive firepower has definitely been a problem for the Tigers, who are netting just 64.2 ppg on a modest .434 shooting. There has been far more consistency at the defensive end where Clemson is yielding just 57.7 ppg. The team lacks a true dynamic playmaker with the ability to fill up the basket, but does have a few decent options in terms of scoring. Young headlined the group with 13.1 ppg. Tanner Smith and Devin Booker round out the top threats at 10.7 and 10.6 ppg, respectively.

The Tigers have some glaring weaknesses this season and it is likely that the Blue Devils will exploit them this evening. Duke is a patient and efficient squad that will take what it is given. Expect the Blue Devils to win this one and keep their position atop the ACC standings.

FACTS & STATS

: Site: Littlejohn Coliseum (10,000) -- Clemson, South Carolina. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Duke 8-0, Clemson 6-3. Away Record: Duke 1-1, Clemson 2-3. Neutral Record: Duke 5-1, Clemson 1-1. Conference Record: Duke 2-0, Clemson 1-1. Series Record: Duke leads, 103-29.