X Factor: Duke men's basketball vs. Maine

After a 78-69 victory against Michigan State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Blue Devils will face Maine in Cameron Indoor Stadium Saturday evening at 5:30. Duke will look to continue its early-season success playing without three of its top freshmen, who are sidelined due to injury. The Blue Zone takes a look at a player from each team who could be a difference-maker in Saturday’s game.

Duke: Forward Amile Jefferson

The 6-foot-9 graduate student from Philadelphia has been impressive to start the season for the Blue Devils. With the injuries to Marques Bolden, Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum, Jefferson has been forced to play a larger role for the shorthanded Blue Devils. Duke’s captain has responded to the challenge by putting up a career-high 14.0 points per game so far to go along with 9.9 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Jefferson has been able to shoulder the load on the inside and has been the anchor of Duke’s defense. 

The unquestionable leader on and off the court for the Blue Devils, Jefferson has been the consistent force the team needed to start the season. He must continue his solid play and stay out of foul trouble to conceal the Blue Devils' deficiencies in their depleted frontcourt against the Black Bears.

Maine: Guard Wes Myers

Myers transferred to Maine from Niagara in hopes of bolstering the Black Bears' backcourt. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native has done just that by leading the team with 12.7 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds per contest. The junior has stepped up for the Black Bears after Aaron Calixte, one of their top contributors, suffered a broken foot after just two games. Myers must continue to attack the basket and hit open shots from the perimeter if Maine wants to hang around with Duke, as the guard has shot 40.0 percent from the 3-point line through seven games this season. For the Black Bears to keep it close Saturday, Myers will need to perform at a high level and continue to score and rebound for his team.