Duke basketball vs Arizona: Score prediction, scouting report for Blue Devils-Wildcats

For the first time since 2019, Duke basketball will play a top-25 nonconference opponent in its home arena.

Credit to head coaches Jon Scheyer and Tommy Lloyd for scheduling a home-and-home series between the Blue Devils and Arizona. The second game of that contract takes place Friday (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2) at the McKale Center in Tucson.

It’ll be No. 12 Duke (3-1) vs. No. 17 Arizona (2-1) in one of the marquee games ahead of Thanksgiving. The Wildcats have won six of the teams’ 10 meetings, including a 78-73 win last season at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Excluding the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the trip to Arizona will be the Blue Devils’ first road game against a top-25 nonconference opponent since losing at No. 7 Georgetown in 2010 (Jon Scheyer’s senior year). Duke hasn’t won a road game against a top-25 nonconference opponent outside of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge since winning at No. 17 Temple in 2000.

Here are some other things to know and a score prediction for the Blue Devils’ trip to Tucson.

Caleb Love history vs Duke basketball

For the final time, unless Arizona and Duke meet in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, fifth-year guard Caleb Love and the Blue Devils will square off on the hardwood. Famous — or infamous, in Duke’s case — for his shot against the Blue Devils at the 2022 Final Four, Love has averaged 16.8 points in eight games against Duke.

Love, who has a 5-3 record against the Blue Devils, has struggled with his efficiency in those games, posting a combined 39.2 shooting percentage, with 34 assists and 27 turnovers. Junior guard Tyrese Proctor will likely be the one tasked with guarding Love, who had 11 points last season against Duke.

Caleb Love waves goodbye to Cameron Crazies

Will Duke or Arizona make more 3-pointers?

In their biggest games so far, Duke and Arizona couldn’t connect from long distance.

The Blue Devils are shooting 37.2% from 3-point range through four games, but they shot 16.7% on 24 attempts in their loss to Kentucky. The Wildcats have…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/duke-basketball-vs-arizona-score-090417489.html

Author : The Fayetteville Observer

Publish date : 2024-11-21 09:04:00

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