The Duke Blue Devils are in a category of their very own following Saturday’s demolition of the Virginia Cavaliers.
Duke, which moved to No. 1 within the Related Press high 25 ballot following final weekend’s win over the beforehand top-ranked Michigan Wolverines (27-2, 17-1 in Large Ten), defeated arguably its hardest competitors within the ACC (relying on freshman ahead Caleb Wilson’s availability for the No. 18 North Carolina Tar Heels), 77-51. The Blue Devils by no means trailed the Cavaliers and led by as many as 28, discovering themselves peaking on the proper time with the NCAA Event solely three weeks away.
Dominant Duke win reveals Blue Devils ought to be overwhelming March Insanity favorites
No. 11 Virginia (25-4, 13-3 in ACC) entered Saturday’s recreation using a nine-game successful streak, outscoring opponents by a median of 12 factors per recreation, 79.2-67.2, together with a 90-61 win over NCAA Event-hopeful NC State Wolfpack (19-10, 10-6 in ACC).
Nevertheless it was no match for Duke (27-2, 15-1 in ACC), which has staked an undisputed declare as the very best staff within the nation getting into March.
Saturday’s win was the Blue Devils’ fifth double-digit victory over a ranked opponent this season, their most since 2001-02, based on the ESPN broadcast. Total, they’ve 10 wins over AP-ranked opponents by a median of 12.1 factors per recreation.
The win additionally clinched Duke the No. 1 seed within the upcoming ACC match, set for March 10-14, the place it ought to be an amazing favourite to earn its twenty fourth convention match title.
This system is 12-2 in Quad 1 video games following Saturday, tied for essentially the most within the nation with No. 3 Michigan and the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats (26-2, 13-2 in Large 12). Duke’s two losses have come by a mixed 4 factors, one to the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (21-7, 11-4 in Large 12) on a late free throw with three seconds left and the opposite to North Carolina (22-6, 10-5 in ACC) on a 3 with 0.4 seconds remaining.
The Blue Devils have outscored convention opponents by practically 18 factors per recreation, 80.1-62.4. As proficient as they’re on offense, their protection units them aside. Per KenPom, they’re No. 1 in adjusted defensive score. On Saturday, Duke held Virginia to 29.1 p.c taking pictures, its lowest taking pictures share of the season. The Cavs’ earlier season-worst was 36 p.c in a triple-overtime loss to Virginia Tech on Dec. 31.
After Saturday, there’s little doubt Duke is the nation’s greatest staff. The one query left is that if it is going to be capable of stick the touchdown.
