The Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team is looking to replicate its recent defensive success when they face the Syracuse Orange on February 22, 2024. After a commanding victory over the No. 20 Clemson Tigers, Duke showcased its defensive prowess, holding Clemson to a season-low of 54 points. The Blue Devils achieved this feat with an impressive performance, limiting Clemson to just 20-of-57 shooting from the field and 6-of-24 from three-point range. Only two Clemson players, RJ Godfrey and Carter Welling, managed to score in double figures, contributing 10 and 12 points, respectively.
Offensively, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans led the charge, scoring 18 and 17 points. Boozer, initially quiet with six points in the first half, exploded for 12 in the second half, finishing with a shooting line of 7-of-14 and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Evans shot 5-of-12 overall and 4-of-9 from three-point range, while freshman Cayden Boozer added a strong performance off the bench, tying his season high with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting. With this 67-54 victory, Duke improved its record to 23-2 overall, maintaining a strong 12-1 standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Challenges Ahead for Syracuse
As Duke prepares to host Syracuse, the Orange are grappling with inconsistency this season. After a promising start, Syracuse has faltered, losing six of its last nine games, and currently holds a record of 15-11. This season marks a transition for the program, following the retirement of legendary coach Jim Boeheim. His successor, Adrian Autry, is working to stabilize the team while aiming for a return to the NCAA Tournament.
Leading Syracuse’s scoring efforts is sophomore forward Donnie Freeman, who averages 17.6 points per game on 49% shooting from the field. Despite battling injuries, Freeman remains a central figure in the Orange’s offensive strategy. Additionally, junior transfer guard Naithan George, who joined from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, has emerged as a versatile player, contributing 10.5 points and 5.6 assists per game, along with an average of 1.5 steals.
Duke’s Defensive Strategy
Duke’s defensive identity has been a cornerstone of its success this season. The recent performance against Clemson underscored the team’s ability to disrupt opponents effectively. Holding a ranked team to 54 points is a testament to the discipline and depth of the Blue Devils, qualities that will be essential against Syracuse.
As Duke prepares for the matchup, the objective will be to maintain their defensive intensity while executing efficiently on offense. If the Blue Devils can contain Freeman and limit George’s playmaking abilities, they are well-positioned to extend their strong conference run and build momentum as March approaches.
Fans can look forward to an exciting game as Duke seeks to solidify its dominance in the ACC while Syracuse looks for a turnaround in its fortunes.
