Before Duke travels to Coral Gables, Fla., for its second matchup against Miami Monday night, the Blue Zone looks back to the opponents' first game two weeks ago and previews the next round:
Then
Coming off a loss at Clemson
Duke was looking to bounce back the last time the two teams met. The Blue Devils had just lost two of their last four games, including a defeat at Clemson. Despite leading at half, Duke eventually lost to the Tigers by eight and allowed 26 points from junior center PJ Hall. With the loss, the then-No. 24 Blue Devils' record changed to 13-5 on the season and 4-3 in the ACC. The following Monday, ahead of its first matchup against Miami, Duke fell out of the AP Poll for the first time since the 2020-21season.
Roach’s return
The last time Duke and Miami met was Jan. 21 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Captain Jeremy Roach had just missed the Blue Devils' last three games due to a lingering toe injury. Roach’s return against then-No. 17 Miami was critical to Duke's victory, as he recorded 14 points, two steals and four assists. The game marked his first time scoring in double figures since the Blue Devils' defeat of Iowa back in December in which he tallied 22 points.
Filipowski’s influence
Kyle Filipowski had been on a tear leading up to Duke’s first matchup with the Hurricanes. The freshman center had a career night against Pittsburgh, recording his seventh double-double of the season with 15 rebounds and a then-high 28 points. Against Clemson, Filipowski notched another double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Ultimately against Miami, Filipowski was key in downing the opponent and attained his third consecutive and ninth double-double of the season. Following the Blue Devils' victory against the Hurricanes, Filipowski was named ACC Rookie of the Week for the sixth time.
Now
Momentum
There is no better way to hit the road than when coming off a strong victory. Beating North Carolina at home is the cream of the crop in that domain and Duke can check that box as of Saturday night. Benches were burned and tents were disassembled as the Cameron Crazies celebrated the finale of an eventful Tobacco Road Rivalry showdown. The matchup came down to the final moments of play before the scoreboard decisively fell in Duke’s favor. Nonetheless, the Blue Devils’ most recent victory has lit a fire that will carry head coach Jon Scheyer's team into Miami grounds Monday night.
On the road
It is no secret that Duke has struggled in enemy territory. The Blue Devils hold an impressive 12-0 record at home, yet with a season record of 17-6, all six of those losses came on the road. The Blue Devils were victorious at home in January against the Hurricanes, but in the second matchup, they will be deep in Coral Gables, Fla., and will not have the courtside Cameron Crazies to cheer them on. Having already defeated Miami once, a loss Monday may signal that the Blue Devils have stage fright on courts that are not theirs.
Roach and Lively heating up
Filipowski has had a tremendous season thus far, but he's not the only star on the team, as lately, Roach and Dereck Lively II have stepped up too. After overcoming his toe injury, Roach has been unstoppable offensively. The captain averages 12.6 points per game and has recorded 20-point games in Duke’s last two contests, against North Carolina and Wake Forest. Freshman center Lively is right up there too following Saturday’s rivalry matchup. Despite having a slow start this season, Lively found his fire against North Carolina with a career-high 14 rebounds and eight blocks. This is a better time than any for Duke’s stars to step up.
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