Duke’s 89-62 victory over SMU on Saturday highlighted the Blue Devils’ dominance, even in the absence of head coach Jon Scheyer, who missed the game due to illness. With associate head coach Chris Carrawell at the helm, Duke extended its winning streak to eight games behind stellar performances from standout freshman Cooper Flagg and a smothering defensive effort.
Game Highlights
- Cooper Flagg’s Impact:
- The highly touted freshman continued to impress, recording a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Flagg’s scoring burst early in the second half helped Duke pull away decisively.
- Supporting Cast:
- Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel each added 14 points, providing a balanced offensive attack for the Blue Devils.
- Defensive Prowess:
- Duke entered the game as the ACC’s top defensive team and delivered, holding SMU to 34% shooting and well below their season average of 87 points per game.
- SMU’s Struggles:
- Despite a solid effort from Wake Forest transfer Boopie Miller, who scored 21 points, SMU couldn’t overcome Duke’s defense. Freshman Samet Yigitoglu contributed a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to spark the Mustangs.
Key Moments
- First Half Push:
- Duke responded to an early 10-point lead being trimmed to 18-16 with quick scoring from Flagg, including a jumper and a 3-pointer, to regain control.
- Second Half Surge:
- After a jumper by Matt Cross cut the deficit to 41-34 early in the second half, Flagg took over, scoring nine points in under three minutes as part of a 13-3 Duke run that sealed SMU’s fate.
Key Stats
- Points in the Paint:
- Duke dominated the interior, outscoring SMU 42-24 in the paint.
- Three-Point Shooting:
- The Blue Devils made 11 shots from beyond the arc compared to SMU’s five, stretching the floor and maintaining their lead.
- Rebounding:
- Duke’s 40-35 edge on the boards helped limit second-chance opportunities for the Mustangs.
Takeaways
- Duke:
- The Blue Devils’ ability to remain composed and execute on both ends of the floor, despite missing their head coach, is a testament to their depth and maturity. Flagg continues to solidify his case as one of the top freshmen in the country, and Duke’s defense remains a cornerstone of their success.
- SMU:
- The Mustangs faced a tough opponent and couldn’t maintain their offensive rhythm against Duke’s stifling defense. With a sellout crowd and momentum from a seven-game winning streak, SMU missed an opportunity for a statement win under first-year coach Andy Enfield.
What’s Next
- Duke: The Blue Devils return home to face Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, aiming to extend their conference dominance.
- SMU: The Mustangs travel to North Carolina to face another tough ACC opponent as they look to bounce back from this loss.
