With less than two months until the start of college basketball, Duke finally has its road to March laid out.
The ACC announced Thursday in an ACC Network broadcast the full schedules for the 2019-20 basketball season. The Blue Devils finally got a chance to see their full conference slate that begins with a matchup on the road against Virginia Tech on Dec. 6 and of course, ends with a showdown with North Carolina in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke had previously released its non-conference schedule on July 11.
Florida State, Louisville, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh will all come to Durham, while the Blue Devils will visit Clemson, Georgia Tech, Syracuse and Virginia. They will play two games in the regular season against North Carolina, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Miami. The team is set to begin practice on Sept. 24.
Although at first glance the schedule might not seem as tough as previous seasons, there are still plenty of marquee games on the slate for a Duke team trying to get over the hump after consecutive Elite Eight losses. Here are five key games to look out for, starting with a chance at revenge:
Dec. 3 at Michigan State
Four Blue Devils that appeared in the loss to the Spartans last March return, and they should have the team fired up at a chance for vengeance. A Mike Krzyzewski team hasn't traveled to East Lansing since 2003, and despite dropping the last game of the series, Duke is still 11-2 in the all-time series. The matchup to watch will be Tre Jones and Cassius Winston, who returned to the Spartans as a National Player of the Year candidate.
Dec. 19 vs. Wofford
It's been almost 20 years since the Blue Devils last lost a non-conference game in Cameron Indoor Stadium, and if there's one team on the schedule that can break that streak this year, it's Wofford. Sure, the program lost its head coach and star Fletcher Magee from a 30-win team last season, but the Terriers still have winning DNA and an experienced backcourt of Storm Murphy and Nathan Hoover. Keep in mind that this game will be Duke's first after taking final exams, so a sluggish start could give Wofford just enough to make it a competitive game.
Jan. 18 vs. Louisville
Along with North Carolina, Louisville will be one of the Blue Devils' biggest conference tests as the team returns much of its roster from last year—including all-ACC third teamer Jordan Nwora— and also brings in a top 10 recruiting class. The Cardinals come in one spot ahead of Duke in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 at No. 5 and though the two teams only meet once this year, the game in Cameron should be one of the most entertaining this year.
Feb. 29 at Virginia
Sure, both games in the 2019 series went to the Blue Devils, but the Cavaliers eventually earned what matters and took home their first national championship. Virginia loses its core three players and Duke hasn't had much trouble in Charlottesville, Va., in the past, but you can never judge a Tony Bennett team by what's on paper. Big men Mamadi Diakite and Jay Huff are experienced returners who could have a night against a Blue Devil team that appears to have a weakness with interior defense.
March 7 vs. North Carolina
This one doesn't have to be explained, but the regular season finale should mean even more after last year's Tobacco Road showdown in Durham ended with a busted shoe and the Tar Heels celebrating on Coach K Court. Jones will again be called upon to shut down a top point guard as Cole Anthony has shown the promise to be one of the top scoring guards in the country.
The full schedule of ACC games are as followed:
Dec. 6 at Virginia Tech
Dec. 31 vs. Boston College
Jan. 4 at Miami
Jan. 8 at Georgia Tech
Jan. 11 vs. Wake Forest
Jan. 14 at Clemson
Jan. 18 vs. Louisville
Jan. 21 vs. Miami
Jan. 28 vs. Pittsburgh
Feb. 1 at Syracuse
Feb. 4 at Boston College
Feb. 8 at North Carolina
Feb. 10 vs. Florida State
Feb. 15 vs. Notre Dame
Feb. 19 at N.C. State
Feb. 22 vs. Virginia Tech
Feb. 25 at Wake Forest
Feb. 29 at Virginia
March 2 vs. N.C. State
March 7 vs. North Carolina
March 10-14 ACC Tournament
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