After snapping a three-game slide with a victory against N.C. State, the Blue Devils look to pick up a win in one of their toughest road contests of the year against Miami. The Hurricanes have rediscovered their winning ways, as they are currently riding a two-game win streak after dropping consecutive games to Virginia and Clemson. Before each game, the Chronicle takes a look at one player from each team who could be the difference maker in Duke's upcoming contest:
Duke: guard Matt Jones
Jones has attempted to push through a recent cold streak on the offensive end of the court, as the 40 percent 3-point shooter has made just seven of his last 24 attempts from deep. Jones has only registered 27 points in his last four games, and has shown signs of being tentative after missing big shots late against Notre Dame and Clemson. The junior guard’s ability to stretch the floor greatly impacts Duke’s offense, as it clears up the court for powerful drives from stars Grayson Allen and Brandon Ingram.
Jones will be matched up against the likes of Sheldon McClellan, Ja’Quan Newton and Angel Rodriguez—who make up Miami's three-headed monster the backcourt. McClellan leads the Hurricanes with an average of 16 points per game, and has the same stature as Jones. If the Blue Devils decide to play man-to-man defense, Jones will have to be at his best to shut down the athletic swingman who scored 14 points against the team a year ago.
The Desoto, Texas, native’s two-way play will be tested against a strong Hurricane squad. Duke will desperately need Jones to rediscover his shooting stroke and play strong perimeter defense Monday for Duke to score an upset-victory and avoid a fourth loss in five games.
Miami: guard Angel Rodriguez
In last season’s 90-74 upset-victory against then No. 4 Duke, Rodriguez had 24 points, five assists and five steals, as he continuously harassed the backcourt of Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook. Against a team whose starting lineup lacks a true point guard, Rodriguez will surely be a problem for the Blue Devil ball-handlers Monday night.
The senior court-general comes into the game averaging 11.4 points and 3.6 assists per game, but the statistics do not show his real worth. Rodriguez’s ability to continuously drive into the paint makes the Hurricane offense hard to guard and his penetration opens up opportunities for his teammates. If Rodriguez can get into the paint and force Duke defenders to foul him, the Blue Devils will have a hard time emerging with a victory, especially with Duke’s limited depth off the bench.
Rodriguez is the motor of Miami’s offense—if he plays well, the offense is tough to stop, as the senior is one of four Hurricane players to average at least 10 points per game. If the Blue Devils can limit Rodriguez’s impact on the game both offensively and defensively, they should be able to emerge victorious.
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