Tag Archives: BDN

Duke Basketball

St. Louis at Duke Game Notes (Nationally televised CBS)

Nolan Smith - BDN Photo, Rick Crank

[1 AP / 1 Coaches] Duke (9-0) vs. Saint Louis (3-3)
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 • 12:00 p.m.
 
The Opening Tip• Duke faces Saint Louis on Saturday, Dec. 11, at noon at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• The game is being televised by CBS with Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Clark Kellogg (analyst) calling the action.
• Duke is ranked No. 1 in the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, while Saint Louis is unranked in both polls.
• The Blue Devils enter the contest 9-0 on the year, while the Billikens are 3-3 overall.
• Duke has won 19 consecutive games entering Saturday’s contest.
• The Blue Devils are looking to open the season 10-0 for the 13th time under Coach K.
• Duke is seeking its 36th straight win against a team outside of the traditional power conferences (Big Ten, Big East, SEC, ACC, PAC-10, Big 12).
 
Duke vs. Saint Louis• Duke is 3-0 all-time against Saint Louis with a 2-0 mark at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• Coach K is 3-0 against Saint Louis.
 
Toys for Tots• Duke Athletics is proud to partner with Toys for Tots and the Durham Food Pantry this holiday season. The men’s basketball toy/food drive will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11 as the top-ranked Blue Devils host Saint Louis at 12 pm.
• Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys and/or canned food items to the game and place them in the collection bins located in the lobbies and on the concourse of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• The women’s basketball Toys for Tots is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 21 vs. Xavier at 7:00 pm.
 
Numbers Game
l Mike Krzyzewski ranks third on the all-time wins list with 877 career victories. He is three wins shy of passing Dean Smith as the winningest coach in ACC history.
l Saturday’s game marks Coach K’s 200th game while holding the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll. Krzyzewski is second in NCAA history in games (200), wins (175) and winning percentage (.879) when ranked a top the AP poll.l The Blue Devils have won 19 consecutive games dating back to a 79-72 loss at Maryland on March 3, 2010. Duke has won 27 of its last 28 games.
l Duke has won 36 consecutive games against teams outside the traditional power conferences (Big Ten, Big East, SEC, ACC, PAC 10, Big 12). Virginia Commonwealth’s 79-77 win over Duke in the 2007 NCAA Tournament was the Blue Devils’ last loss to a team from a non-power conference.
l Duke has only lost two home games in the past four seasons, posting a record of 53-2 in Cameron Indoor Stadium during that span. The Blue Devils currently have a 24-game win streak at home.
l The Blue Devils have won an NCAA-best 82 consecutive non-conference home games. The last home loss against a non-conference opponent for the Blue Devils was on Feb. 26, 2000 against St. John’s, 83-82.
l Duke has won 46 straight home games against unranked opponents. The Blue Devils’ last loss at Cameron Indoor Stadium to an unranked opponent was to Florida State on Feb. 4, 2007.
l Duke has scored 80 or more points in eight games this season. The Blue Devils have won 23 consecutive games when scoring 80+ points. Duke is 490-46 under Coach K when scoring 80 or more points in a game.
l Duke is 77-27 all-time against Atlantic 10 Conference opponents, including a 34-1 mark under Mike Krzyzewski. The Blue Devils have won 15 straight games against A-10 opposition.
l Duke is averaging 49.2 ppg. in the second half of play. The Blue Devils are shooting 56.6 percent (142-of-251) from the field, including 55.8 percent (53-of-95) from three-point range after halftime. In Wednesday’s win over Bradley, Duke knocked down 10-of-16 three-point field goals en route to a 51-point half.
l Senior Nolan Smith recorded a career-best 10 assists against Bradley while finishing 0-of-8 from the field. Smith joined Tommy Amaker, Quin Snyder and Steve Wojciechowski as the only players in Duke history to record 10 or more assists in a game without making a field goal. Smith leads the ACC in assists (5.6 apg.) and also ranks in the top 10 in scoring and field goal percentage.

Duke Basketball

Bradley vs Duke Game Notes

Photo-Rick Crank BDN

1 AP / 1 Coaches] Duke (8-0)  vs. Bradley (4-4)
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010 • 9:00 p.m.

The Opening Tip• Duke faces Bradley on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 9:00 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• The game is being televised by espn2 with Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (analyst) calling the action.
• Duke is ranked No. 1 in the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, while Bradley is unranked in both polls.
• The Blue Devils enter the contest 8-0 on the year, while the Braves are 4-4 overall.
• Duke has won 18 consecutive games entering Wednesday’s contest.
• The Blue Devils are looking to open the season 9-0 for the 15th time under Coach K.
• Duke is seeking its 35th straight win against a team outside of the traditional power conferences (Big Ten, Big East, SEC, ACC, PAC-10, Big 12).
 
Duke vs. Bradley• Duke is 1-1 all-time against Bradley with a 1-0 mark at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• The Blue Devils won the last meeting, 87-69, on Dec. 8, 1951.
• Bradley opened the series with a 93-58 win over Duke on Dec. 23, 1950. The Braves were ranked second in the nation at the time of the game.
 
Duke vs. the Missouri Valley Conference• Duke is 6-2 all-time against teams currently in the Missouri Valley Conference.
• The Blue Devils have won five straight games against Missouri Valley Conference opposition.
• Mike Krzyzewski is 4-0 at Duke against Missouri Valley Conference opponents.
• Duke has a +27.8 scoring margin versus the Missouri Valley Conference under Coach K.
 
Numbers Game
l Mike Krzyzewski is currently tied with Adolph Rupp for third on the all-time wins list with 876 career victories. He is four wins shy of passing Dean Smith as the winningest coach in ACC history.l The Blue Devils have won 18 consecutive games dating back to a 79-72 loss at Maryland on March 3, 2010. Duke has won 26 of its last 27 games.
l Duke has won 35 consecutive games against teams outside the traditional power conferences (Big Ten, Big East, SEC, ACC, PAC 10, Big 12). Virginia Commonwealth’s 79-77 win over Duke in the 2007 NCAA Tournament was the Blue Devils’ last loss to a team from a non-power conference.
l Duke has only lost two home games in the past four seasons, posting a record of 52-2 in Cameron Indoor Stadium during that span. The Blue Devils currently have a 23-game win streak at home.
l The Blue Devils have won an NCAA-best 81 consecutive non-conference home games. The last home loss against a non-conference opponent for the Blue Devils was on Feb. 26, 2000 against St. John’s, 83-82.
l Duke has won 45 straight home games against unranked opponents. The Blue Devils’ last loss at Cameron Indoor Stadium to an unranked opponent was to Florida State on Feb. 4, 2007.
l Freshman Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the Bradley game after suffering a toe injury in Duke’s win over Butler. He currently ranks in the top 10 of the ACC in six statistical categories.
l Senior Nolan Smith leads the ACC with 19 straight double-figure scoring games. He has scored 10 or more points in 32 of the last 33 games for the Blue Devils.
l Duke’s starting backcourt of Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving combines to average 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game. The tandem is also shooting 52.3 percent (90-of-172) from the floor. Smith and Irving have both reached double-figures in scoring in all eight games this season.
l Duke has scored 80 or more points in seven games this season. The Blue Devils have won 22 consecutive games when scoring 80+ points. Duke is 489-46 under Coach K when scoring 80 or more points in a game.
l Andre Dawkins is expected to make his first career start on Wednesday. Dawkins is fourth on the team in scoring at 10.6 ppg. and leads the ACC in three-point percentage (.528, 19-of-36).
l Duke is averaging 49.0 ppg. in the second half of play. The Blue Devils are shooting 55.9 percent (124-of-222) from the field, including 54.4 percent (43-of-79) from three-point range after halftime.

Duke Basketball

Duke standout Kyrie Irving makes his New Jersey return

Kyrie breaking legs - Lance King for BDN

Back in the building where he won a New Jersey State Championship as a junior for the St. Patrick's Celtics and about a thirty minute drive from his hometown of West Orange, NJ, Kyrie Irving didn't waste an opportunity to help Duke achieve a decisive 82-70 win over last season's national title runner-up, Butler University.

Among his seventeen second-half points were critical back-to-back three-pointers at the top of the key late in the second half to stretch Duke's lead to nine at 66-57.  With 4:!2 left in the second half, the freshman point guard stubbed his toe after taking Butler's Matt Howard off of the dribble. He was taken out of the game temporarily, but, after getting looked at by the Duke support staff, reentered the game in the closing minutes with his father, Drederick Irving, seated nearby.

This game concluded a difficult stretch for the Duke Blue Devils, as they have faced Marquette, Kansas State, Oregon, Michigan State, and Butler in a two week span, all but one having been played far from the friendly and loud confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium. After the game, the always personable and mature young point guard, fresh off a pair of high-scoring games against high-profile opponents, spoke with the media anxious to hear from the hometown star.

Can you put the last few few weeks in context?

Up to this game..well, coming up to this game, we had a rough two weeks because we were playing against the top teams in the country. It's been a good growth period for us as a group. You know coming up to New Jersey. My hometown, man.

You guys got off to a slow start and they played you well defensively initially. Were you guys a little flat?

Yeah, we started off the game a little flat. Coach talked to us about, you know, picking up our energy. Our pressure was there, but they were seeing a lot of open looks. We tried to limit that, but, you know, they're a good team. Credit to them.

What did you see offensively? It seemed like the high-screen was really working in the second half?

Yeah, you know, we just continued running it, until they stopped it. In the second half, it worked really well for us.

What happened on the play where you hurt your toe and came out of the game?

Yeah, I was just on the wing and Howard was guarding me and I think I just stumped my toe. I had to come out of the game.

But you're okay now?

Yeah, yeah.

Offensively, in the second half, did you try to take over or did you feel like the game really came to you?

I think the game came to me. Nolan did a tremendous job. He played like a veteran tonight. He put us on his back in the second half and just knocked down a few big shots.

One of the good spurts tonight came actually when you were on the bench and Andre was out there and Seth too. What did you think about the way some of the other guys stepped up tonight?

Yeah, you know, they played well and applied pressure really well. Butler was working really hard offensively. Yeah, you know, like when I was on the bench, they really picked up the intensity and helped us a lot tonight in valuable minutes. It was big in terms of raising our intensity.

Zagoria: Did you have a lot of family and friends there today?
Yeah.
Zagoria: Do you know how many family and friends were out there? Your dad and everybody else.
No.

Did you get to see him before the game? Obviously, you're coming off of a great game against Michigan State. He must've been very proud of you.

My Dad wasn't at the Michigan St. game, but I'm going to talk to him after I'm done here.

So, you didn't see him before?

No, no, I didn't.

Did you feel any additional pressure playing in front of so many family and friends?

Yeah, I was definitely pressing, particularly in the first half. You know I picked those two charges up in the first half. That was just a mistake on my part, being too aggressive. I don't think I was playing smart there. In the first half, I was really flat until I had those two baskets, but, in the second half, I really came out aggressively.

Can you talk about those back-to-back threes at the top of the key in the second half? It seemed to break their back.

Yeah, well, those were rhythm threes and they felt good.

Zagoria: I know going undefeated this season is a long way to go, but do you feel that, in any game, you can win?

Well, we approach, each game the same way mentally. So, we're just ready for each challenge.

Zagoria: Do you ever look ahead and say, "Oh, this team could beat us here." or do you not look it at it like that?
No, no, we can't do that.

Was there any sort of layoff coming off of that strong win against Michigan State and then making that quick turnaround? Do you think that was the reason for coming out somewhat lethargically?
Not really, I was a little flat in the first half

Not as a team, though?
No.

What changed in the second half?
My energy picked up in the second half. We had a great halftime talk. Coach was (laughing) giving us that halftime speech that we needed.

Can you talk about how good Norad and the other perimeter guys were defensively?

Yeah, they're really good defensively individually, but as a team too. They were trying to clog the lanes in the first half. In the second half, when we started executing our plays, we were able to push them further from the basket.

Can you talk about getting them into foul trouble off of penetration. You got two of their guys into trouble and it sort of forced them to readjust. Was that a goal or did that just sort of happen?

No, Nolan and I just kept trying to attack openings when we would see them.

This building is not just important to you, but for the program. What was it like to come back here and get a win?

feels good. You know, when I landed at Newark airport, this is where I'm from.  So, I love it. I won a state championship here in my junior year You know coming back here feels good.

Walking away, what was the key difference in the second half?

Nolan helped sustain drives and lead in this game.  Nolan was definitely it and our energy picked up. Also, I think our conditioning. We work on it a lot and so I think it helped make a difference for us in the second half. It probably wore them down a little bit in the second half. It really worked for us in the second half, once we started to run.

Did you think of this as a business trip or a homecoming? When you thought about this game, how did you view or approach it?

Oh, every game is business. It's always a business trip for us. I mean it's my hometown, but I try to approach it like every other game, as if it was a home game at Duke.

And what does it mean to have come back here and match up with the same team that took Duke down to the wire in April. Now, eight months later, it didn't have to come down to the wire, but the opponent and the location.

It feels good that I'm now part of the team. When I saw them play, I was just a recruit. Being on the court and playing against a top team like Butler is a great experience.

Did you get a chance to see any of the guys from St. Pat's today?
No, not yet, but I'm sure I'll get a chance right after this.

Thanks, Kyrie.
Sure thing.

Duke Basketball

Game Notes – Duke vs Butler

Game 8 l Carquest Auto Parts Classic  [1 AP / 1 Coaches] Duke (7-0)  vs. Butler (4-2)
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010 • 3:15 p.m.
 
The Opening Tip• Duke faces Butler on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 3:15 p.m. (EST) in the Carquest Auto Parts Classic at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
• The game is being televised by ESPN with Dan Shulman (play-by-play), Jay Bilas (analyst) and Doris Burke (sideline) calling the action.
• Duke is ranked No. 1 in the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, while Butler is unranked in both polls.
• The Blue Devils enter the contest 7-0 on the year, while the Bulldogs are 4-2 overall.
• Duke has won 17 consecutive games entering Saturday’s contest.
• The Blue Devils are looking to open the season 8-0 for the 16th time under Coach K.
• Saturday’s game marks a rematch of the 2010 NCAA Championship game. Duke earned its fourth NCAA title with a 61-59 win over Butler.
 
Duke at the Meadowlands (Izod Center)• Duke and head coach Mike Krzyzewski are 18-1 all-time at the Meadowlands.
• The Blue Devils have won 11 consecutive games at the Meadowlands dating back to a 77-75 loss to Arizona on Feb. 26, 1989.
• Duke is 10-0 in NCAA Tournament games and 8-1 in regular season games in East Rutherford, N.J.
 
Duke vs. the Horizon League• Duke is 9-1 all-time against teams currently in the Horizon League.
• The Blue Devils have won seven straight games against Horizon League opposition.
• Mike Krzyzewski is 7-0 at Duke against Horizon League opponents.
• Duke has a +18.3 scoring margin versus the Horizon League with six wins by 20 or more points.
 
Numbers Game
l Mike Krzyzewski is one win shy of matching Adolph Rupp for third place on the all-time coaching wins list. Coach K enters Saturday’s game with 875 career wins.l The Blue Devils have won 17 consecutive games dating back to a 79-72 loss at Maryland on March 3, 2010. Duke has won 25 of its last 26 games overall.
l Duke has won 34 consecutive games against teams outside the traditional power conferences (Big Ten, Big East, SEC, ACC, PAC 10, Big 12). Virginia Commonwealth’s 79-77 win over Duke in the 2007 NCAA Tournament was the Blue Devils’ last loss to a team from a non-power conference.
l The Blue Devils have won 16 straight neutral site games dating back to a 77-54 loss to Villanova in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
l Duke has trailed a total of 3:00 this season. The Blue Devils have not trailed in the final 30 minutes of any game and have not trailed by more than two points this season.l Senior Nolan Smith leads the ACC with 18 straight double-figure scoring games. He has scored 10 or more points in 31 of the last 32 games for the Blue Devils.
l Duke’s starting backcourt of Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving combines to average 33.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 11.2 assists per game. The tandem is also shooting 53.0 percent (79-of-149) from the floor. Smith and Irving have both reached double-figures in scoring in all seven games this season.
l Duke has scored 80 or more points in six games this season. The Blue Devils have won 21 consecutive games when scoring 80+ points. Duke is 488-46 under Coach K when scoring 80 or more points in a game.
l Sophomore Mason Plumlee has three double-doubles and has grabbed 10 or more rebounds four times this season. Plumlee is averaging 13.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals per game in the last four contests.
l Senior Kyle Singler is expected to make his 118th career start on Saturday. Duke is 99-18 with Singler in the starting lineup. Singler’s .846 winning percentage as a starter at Duke is the fourth-best in school history.
l Kyrie Irving, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler are combining to average 53.8 points per game over the last four contests. l Duke is the only team in the ACC with more than one player ranked in the top 10 in scoring. Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving are tied for fourth at 16.9 points per game, while Kyle Singler ranks seventh at 16.0 ppg.
l Freshman Kyrie Irving ranks in the top 10 of the ACC in six statistical categories (scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, assists, steals and assist-to-turnover ratio).
l Duke has forced 20 or more turnovers four times this season. The Blue Devils are averaging 25.3 points per game off turnovers.
l The Blue Devils are averaging 49.0 points per game in the second half of play this season. Duke is shooting 55.5 percent (111-of-200) from the field, including 56.5 percent (39-of-69) from three-point range, over the final 20 minutes of action.
l Senior Kyle Singler is averaging 18.3 points per game while shooting 48.6 percent (18-of-37) from the field and 47.1 percent (8-of-17) from three-point range in neutral site games this season.

Duke Football

BDN Salutes Duke Football Seniors

BDN Photo

Today is senior day at Wallace Wade Stadium, where the Blue Devils will recognize 19 players and their families. Blue Devil Nation joins with Duke University and Duke Athletics in thanking this year's senior class for their dedication and hard work to Duke football. These young men have left the Duke football program in a much better place than where they found it.

Flash back four years, to when these players joined the Duke program. This was prior to Coach Cutcliffe's hire, and in the middle of a period when Duke had lost 25 consecutive ACC games. In 2006, the team finished 0-12 overall. There was little reason for optimism around Duke football, but these players embraced the program, and with the hire of Coach Cutcliffe, have changed the culture of Duke football. Over the past four years, the program has won 13 football games, including 5 ACC victories.  

“It's a tribute to our seniors, who have continued to fight,” Coach Cutcliffe said last week. “They've changed the game. Our seniors have been a part of changing an expectation at Duke. We can compete with anybody, regardless of what anybody thinks. And we're ready for that next step, because of this group of young men that have committed themselves to being the best that they can be.” 

As these players run through the tunnel into Wallace Wade Stadium for the final time today, fans should take a moment to recognize the hard work and dedication that this group of players have put into Duke football. They have become great young men, and will be great representatives of Duke University and Duke football in all that they do. 

Thank you, seniors! 

#8 Abraham Kromah

Linebacker

Staten Island, NY 

#10 Matt Pridemore

Wide Receiver

Gainesville, GA 

#16 Chris Rwabukamba

Cornerback

Windsor, Ontario 

#22 Brandon King

Tight End

Doylestown, PA 

#39 Adam Banks

Linebacker

Asheville, NC 

#41 Eriks Reks

Linebacker

Wrentham, MA 

#47 Nick Maggio

Kicker

Leawood, KS 

#49 Kevin Jones

Punter

Austin, TX 

#55 Brandon Harper

Offensive Guard

Alpharetta, GA 

#56 Damian Thornton

Linebacker

Lenoir, NC 

#62 Bryan Morgan

Center

Hoover, AL 

#63 Chris Shannon

Offensive Tackle

Andover, MA 

#67 Mitchell Lederman

Offensive Guard

Brodhead, WI 

#83 Austin Kelly

Wide Receiver

Mableton, GA 

#87 Brett Huffman

Tight End

Massillon, OH 

#88 Danny Parker

Tight End

Rockville, MD 

#90 Patrick Egboh

Defensive End

Mesquite, TX 

#99 Wesley Oglesby

Defensive End

Arlington, TX 

Mike Cappetto

Undergraduate Assistant

Troy, MI 

Garrett Utt

Undergraduate Assistant

Atlanta, GA

Duke Football

BDN Previews- North Carolina at Duke and picks the Blue Devils in an upset

Duke expects the two senior tight ends known as the "Bro's" to return for the home and career finaled against UNC - BDN Photo

It's the final week of the 2010 football season, as the Blue Devils (3-8, 1-6 ACC) host the rival North Carolina Tar Heels (6-5, 3-4 ACC) in Wallace Wade Stadium. The game will kickoff at 3:30 PM ET and will be televised on ESPNU. Tickets for the rivalry game are still available from

 

GoDuke.com, as the Blue Devils try to reclaim the Victory Bell for just the second time in the last 20 tries. 

DUKE IN WEEK 12

Duke fell at Georgia Tech last Saturday, 30-20, in what Coach Cutcliffe called “a tough pill to swallow.” The Blue Devils' defense held the Yellow Jackets out of the end zone for the entire first half, taking a 13-6 lead into the locker room. In the second half, the momentum quickly turned towards Georgia Tech after Brandon Connette threw a red zone interception, which was returned 85 yards for the touchdown and a 16-13 lead. The Blue Devils fought back in the 4th quarter, as Sean Renfree found Austin Kelly on a play action pass for a 37-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 23-20, but it was not enough. The Yellow Jackets' option offense wore down the Duke defense and sealed the victory. On the day, the Duke defense allowed 320 rushing yard to the #1 rushing offense in the country, which was led by Anthony Allen and Tevin Washington. For the Blue Devils, Renfree threw for another 300+ yard game in the loss, including 92 yards to Cooper Helfet and 7 catches each for Conner Vernon and Donovan Varner. 

NORTH CAROLINA IN WEEK 12

If the Blue Devils' loss last week was tough to swallow, North Carolina's was devastating. The Tar Heels hosted rival NC State last Saturday and fell, 29-25. North Carolina jumped out to a 7-0 first quarter lead, which they extended to a 19-10 lead by late in the 3rd quarter. At that point, the game went an unexpected and almost instantaneous reversal of momentum, as Russell Wilson and the Wolfpack scored 17 unanswered points to close the 3rd quarter and start the 4th. The first score was the most unlikely, as Wilson threw a jump ball on 4th and goal to a crowd in the back corner of the end zone, which somehow fell into the hands of TE Owen Spencer for the touchdown. After forcing a quick punt, explosive returner T.J. Graham took the punt return 87 yards for the score and a 24-19 lead. The Wolfpack would add on a FG and a last-minute safety to seal the 29-25 victory. Seniors T.J Yates and Anthony Elzy led the way for the Tar Heels in the loss, as Yates threw for over 400 yards, including 178 and a touchdown to Elzy. 

ANALYSIS

Turnovers

Both teams find themselves in the red in the turnover margin for the season. Turnovers have haunted the Blue Devils throughout 2010, while North Carolina has given it away 7 times in their last two games. Last week, Duke saw firsthand how a key turnover can propel a team to victory. Without leading fumble recovery man Kelby Brown, the Duke defense will have to find other players to step up with takeaways.  

Explosive Plays

Without crunching all the numbers, let's just say in last week's games, both teams were on the losing side of key explosive plays. Georgia Tech scored three touchdowns, two of which were explosive plays: an 85-yard interception return and a 79-yard catch. In the Tar Heel's last game, the decisive play was a T.J. Graham 87-yard punt return for a touchdown, which gave the Wolfpack the lead for good. With 2 of the ACC's top 3 quarterbacks, both teams have the ability to rack up explosive plays on the opposing defense. Renfree will have to get things going with Vernon, Varner, Kelly, and Helfet early and often, while the Duke secondary will have to contain Yates and his receivers, led by the trio of Dwight Jones, Anthony Elzy, and Erik Highsmith. 

Sacks

Sacks haven't had a huge influence on the Blue Devils' games this year, as Duke has been very good at protecting Sean Renfree, while the Duke defensive front has struggled to bring pressure. Conversely, the Tar Heels rank last in the ACC in sacks allowed, as Yates has found himself on the ground an average of 3 times per game, including 7 times last Saturday. UNC's defense has failed to bring the pressure it did a year ago, when they ranked second in the ACC in sacks per game. 

3rd Down Production

Would you be surprised to learn that the struggling Duke defense has done a better job on opponent 3rd downs than their rivals in Columbia blue? It's true, and the Blue Devils' offense has also done a better job converting on 3rd downs. On paper, advantage Duke. 

Rushing TDs

Would you also be surprised to know that as of last week, North Carolina has surpassed Duke as the ACC's worst rushing offense? The Blue Devils' have Nate Irving and the NC State defense to thank for that. After a season-ending injury to Johnny White, the Blue Devils will have to focus their defensive efforts on Anthony Elzy and Shaun Draughn in the North Carolina backfield. In last week's preview, we stressed the importance of the Blue Devils' scoring on the ground. The Tar Heels have only allowed 9 rushing touchdowns this year, but Brandon Connette and the Blue Devils' backs will have to find ways to convert in the red zone for Duke to shed its two-game losing streak. 

Field Goals

Will Snyderwine had been nearly automatic in 2010, but missed two late FGs in Atlanta last week. Expect the Blue Devils' kicker to have a bounceback game in the season finale. Casey Barth has been equally good for the Tar Heels, and the team that does a better job of putting the ball in the end zone, rather than through the uprights, is most likely to win this one. 

Penalties

Duke has done a nice job of minimizing penalties in 2010, though the few penalties they have committed have often been costly. Against Georgia Tech, the Blue Devils committed 6 penalties for a total of 50 yards, but several of those helped to extend Yellow Jacket drives. North Carolina's inability to follow the rules off the field has been well documented, but the Tar Heels have also committed an average of 7 penalties per game. They've improved this statistic in recent weeks, totaling just 70 yards in penalties their past two games. 

PREDICTION

It is difficult to remain objective when it's Duke vs. North Carolina. The Tar Heels are admittedly exhausted: mentally, from having faced tough questions all season about their wrongdoings off the field; and physically, from playing shorthanded while not having a week off since their bye in week 2. In the back of some players' minds, the Tar Heels are just one game away from the end of this nightmare regular season. After an emotional loss to rival NC State on senior day, can the Tar Heels get back up for one more game? 

Meanwhile, the primary question that has haunted the Blue Devils in 2010 is “what if…?,”  as they've watched ACC games slip away against Wake Forest in week 2, Maryland in week 5, Boston College in week 11, and Georgia Tech in week 12. Can the Blue Devils breakthrough this week against the rival Tar Heels? If this year's senior class has its way, the Blue Devils will be ringing the Victory Bell into their offseason. 

Duke 27

UNC 26