No. 13 Duke Welcomes Syracuse for Sunday Matinee

THE OPENING TIP

• No. 13 Duke looks to bounce back from Thursday’s setback as the Blue Devils open a two-game homestand, playing host to Syracuse on Sunday Jan., 22 at 12 p.m., live on ACC Network.
• Angel Gray and Jasmine Thomas will call the action on ACC Network while Chris Edwards calls the game on the radio on the Blue Devil Sports Network from Learfield.
• Duke rose three spots to No. 13 in the Week 11 Associated Press (AP) Poll and checks in at No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
• In the latest NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings the Blue Devils are slotted ninth (as of Jan. 20).
• Defense has been the calling card for the Blue Devils this season as the team has won each of its games by an average of 22.4 points and held each of its opponents below their season scoring average, including 10 of the 18 to 50 points or less. 
• Duke has held its foes to 51.0 points per game on 34.7 percent shooting from the floor, marks that currently rank fourth and 12th in the NCAA, respectively, as well as first in the ACC (as of Jan. 20).
• Duke has found its stroke from distance lately, knocking down its treys at a 42.9-percent clip in ACC play.
• The Blue Devils have received a huge lift from its reserves, averaging 26.2 points off the bench.
• Duke and Syracuse will square off on the hardwood for the 11th time all-time, with the Blue Devils holding a 7-3 advantage in the series.
• The Blue Devils have won the last two meetings against the Orange, including a 74-65 victory last season at the Dome.

 
 SHARING THE WEALTH

• Duke’s starting five of senior Elizabeth Balogun, junior Kennedy Brown, sophomores Shayeann Day-Wilson and Reigan Richardson and senior Celeste Taylor have provided a steady hand for the Blue Devils this season, combining for 67.0 percent (46.3 points) of the team’s 69.1 points per game.
• Taylor has reached double digits in 13 of the 18 games this season followed by Balogun with 10. Day-Wilson has tallied eight double-figure scoring games while Richardson and Brown have each posted seven.
• Taylor leads the offensive charge for Duke, averaging 12.3 points per game with Balogun (10.8) and Day-Wilson (8.4) right behind in second and third. Brown and Richardson round out the group with 7.8 and 7.0 points a contest, respectively.
• Duke’s depth has been on full display as the Blue Devils…