After multiple postponements gave No. 21 Duke a three-week break, the Blue Devils showed some rust in their first half against Boston College. With Coach K in quarantine, the Jon Scheyer-led squad struggled and trails the Eagles 43-35 at halftime. Here are five observations from the first 20 minutes:
That’s not Coach K!
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski indeed was not in Cameron Indoor Stadium for Duke’s contest against Boston College. Krzyzewski was quarantined at home due to exposure to a family member who tested positive for COVID-19. In his absence, associate head coach Jon Scheyer took the helm. Wednesday marked the first time Scheyer has served as Duke’s head coach.
Scheyer may also coach the Blue Devils’ next game against Wake Forest Saturday, though that may change depending on Coach K’s condition and advice from health officials.
Adjusting to rust
Duke’s 21-day break from basketball hindered a fast start against Boston College. The Blue Devils allowed the Eagles to score on 12 of their first 17 field goal attempts and take a 29-17 lead. Senior point guard Jordan Goldwire threw an ugly pass and missed a wide open layup in the early going, while Boston College slaughtered the Duke defense.
Wendell Moore Jr. makes a 3-pointer
Before Wednesday, sophomore forward Wendell Moore Jr. had not made a 3-point basket since the season opener Nov. 28. He hadn’t made any kind of field goal since Dec. 4 against Bellarmine. But seven minutes into Duke’s matchup against Boston College, Moore banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key, finishing the half with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from the floor.
Not-so-free throws
Clearly, the long break has not been kind to the Blue Devils’ free throw shooting. Duke struggled to take advantage when it was able to get to the line, making just 5-of-10 attempts from the charity stripe in the first half.
Player of the half: Jordan Goldwire
While Goldwire didn’t get off to the greatest start Wednesday, he eventually got into a groove. The senior from Norcross, Ga., scored seven points, dished out three assists and hauled in two rebounds in the opening period. More importantly, the defensive-minded guard nabbed three steals to prevent the game from getting too out of hand.
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