Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas – Championship Sunday
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play host to the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday night in an interesting ACC showdown from McCamish Pavilion. Both teams come into this one in the bottom half of the ACC standings, though Duke still sits four wins ahead of the Yellow Jackets in conference action. The Blue Devils did lose the last time out but the Yellow Jackets are riding a six-game losing streak themselves. Duke won the lone meeting last season and with nine wins in the last ten between these two teams, they'll like their chances, even on the road.
Duke had high hopes for the season, especially bringing in quite a few talented freshmen, but it has taken time for this group to gel. They sit right in the middle of the ACC standings and have struggled to find much consistency and momentum this year. At 14-6, the Blue Devils have lost two of their last three, with both of those coming on the road. Overall, a 1-4 record on the road this season leaves quite a bit to be desired, though the Yellow Jackets are a great team to right that. Duke did lose the last time these two squared off in Atlanta but with nine wins in the last ten in the series, that isn't likely to shake the confidence they should bring into this one.
The Blue Devils continue to be without one of the most talented players on their roster, which could impact them on the road. Dariq Whitehead (leg) missed the last game and even though he has struggled to live up to the hype at times, still is a key f rontcourt presence that will impact them.
RDU ?? ATL #HereComesDuke ?? pic.twitter.com/0Wy1wAHVG4
— Duke Men's Basketball (@DukeMBB) January 27, 2023
Duke's offense usually leads the way but this year, the defense has been the difference. They rank 287th from the three-point line and considering Georgia Tech's one defensive strength is stopping the three-point shot, Duke will need to turn toward the frontcourt in this one. Expect second-chance points to be the key, with the Blue Devils rankings 24th in the nation in offensive rebounding. Kyle Flipowski (15.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg) has been dominant in the frontcourt and that should continue in this one, with little opposition and size from the Yellow Jackets.