College Hoops

Preview: #8 Duke Blue Devils (21-5, 12-3 ACC) vs. Wake Forest (17-9, 9-6 ACC)

Preview: #9 Duke Blue Devils (18-5, 9-3 ACC) vs. Wake Forest (16-7, 8-4 ACC)

Hunter Sallis is a machine from the outside, he can get his shot off of curls, off the dribble and at 6’5 he’s going to be a tough cover for the Blue Devils. In the first matchup with Duke Sallis scored 22 points, but the Blue Devils did a good job of chasing him off of the 3-point line. Sallis got those 22 points on 20 shots. Duke held the Deacons to just 23% shooting from 3-point range in the first game but didn’t shoot it well either only managing 28% shooting. Where the Blue Devils shined was in getting to the free throw line. The Blue Devils made 18 free throws to just 9 for Wake. Both teams are shooting the ball much better and playing better basketball overall.

Sallis is by no means the only worry for the Blue Devils, Wake has multiple ways to put the ball in the basket – Cameron Hildreth is a name Duke fans will know as he has on occasion given the Blue Devils fits with his Euro style of play, adept at finishing at the rim but also very dangerous in the mid-range with his turnaround. Hildreth had been slumping but has seen a resurgence in effectively over the past few games.

Efton Reid is a load inside and the Blue Devils were lucky that the 7-footer battled foul trouble in the first meeting in Durham. Reid has the potential of giving the Blue Devils fits with his ability to push guys around and take up space. Kyle Filipowski will have to contend with a weightier player that can also match him in height – the other side is Andrew Carr, another big with the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting stroke.

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