Flawed Blue Devils Remain Perfect

The Duke Blue Devils entered their highly anticipated matchup with #10 Purdue in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge with a perfect 9-0 record in the event and an unblemished 7-0 record for the season. Looking to extend that streak in their first true road game of the year, the Blue Devils sent a message with their most complete performance of the season, humbling the Boilermakers with a 76-60 win in a game they never trailed. Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer led the way for Duke with 20 points apiece and were key components in the Blue Devils' decisive18 point advantage from the 3-point line. The duo combined to hit five shots from downtown, proving that the new, longer line still won't affect Duke's furious 3-point shooting. In recent years, the Blue Devils have taken advantage of the short 3-point shot to relentlessly bury opponents into submission. Even with the line a foot longer this season, Duke has averaged six 3-pointers a game.

The Blue Devils dependence on 3-point shooting has been a feast or famine phenomenon in recent years, especially in the Tournament where Duke hasn't advanced past the Sweet 16 since 2004. An important part of those struggles has been the Blue Devils inability to hold their own in the trenches down low where teams have been too physical for Duke's notoriously small lineup. It's no small coincidence that the lack of quality big men has really cost this program in March when their shooters have been known to struggle. Last year, it was West Virginia with Joe Alexander that dominated the Blue Devils and sent them packing in Round 2.

This season, Duke has worked hard to address those needs, but still is in search for a big man who can fortify the center position. North Carolina is everyone's favorite to take the title and their plethora of hogs in the paint creates the ultimate mismatch for Duke. Until someone is able to step up down low, the Blue Devils will need to rely on their undersized jump shooters to carry the load and help the team compete in the paint. Against Purdue, Duke's toughness and physicality was out in full force, a key development that catalyzed the comfortable victory. Purdue was outrebounded 44-26, shot 37% from the field, and could only hit two of their 13 shots from behind the arc. It all accounted for Purdue's lowest scoring output of the season and a frustrating outcome to the program's biggest game in years.

Duke's impressive victory in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and quick start out of the gate should be a surprise to no one. Last season, Mike Kryzewski's team started 22-1, two years ago they were 13-1, and in the year before that they won 27 of their first 28 games. However, in each of those three years, the Blue Devils tired down the stretch and saw their season end much too quickly. As good as they are playing right now, Duke should look to their recent history to realize that there's still plenty of work ahead toward getting a fourth national championship.