The Blue Devils will make a strong case for re-entering the polls with a win over the Cavaliers (20-4, 9-3). Virginia led 34-31 at halftime after Duke surged with two 3-pointers by Ingram and a dunk during the last 2½ minutes of the first half. Derryck Thornton started the min-run with a pull-up jumper, then Allen found Matt Jones after a pump-fake for a wing 3-pointer, Jones’ second of the half.
Advertisement
Virginia is rebounding from a tough stretch itself, having lost three of four before starting their ongoing seven-game winning streak.
The Blue Devils’ run of 167 straight weeks in the AP Top 25 ended when it was left out of the poll released February 1 following four defeats in its previous five games. The Cavaliers shot 51.9 percent from the field in the first half.
There’s something about Cameron Indoor Stadium that doesn’t sit well with Virginia’s Anthony Gill. It might be no surprise that the Duke offense is getting well as Kennard’s learning curve, minutes and production ring upward. Virginia’s senior guard, who scored nine of his team-high 18 points in the second half, tied the game at 58-58 with 5:48 remaining. Reserve center Mike Tobey had eight of Virginia’s first 21 points.
In 2017, the SU will have home-and-home games against BC, Pitt, Wake Forest, and Virginia. Duke has won 3 games in a row and is now 6th in the ACC standings.
Not only does this strengthen Duke’s NCAA Tournament resume at 19-6 overall and give them a fourth straight win, but the 63-62 triumph was also one heck of a birthday present to Coach K who turned 69 today. Duke holds the rebounding advantage in this game and is at home.
Virginia will be back in action Monday at home against NC State.
Advertisement
The pairings mark the first time since joining the ACC, that Syracuse will play just one game each against blueblood programs North Carolina and Duke.
