The Blue Devils set themselves up for success. Unfortunately for the visitors, it never became a reality.
Against No. 18 Maryland, Duke faced its biggest test of the season. Falling short to the Terrapins 85-80, the Blue Devils' greatest weakness was uncovered: A struggle in transition.
Transitional failures defined the third quarter for No. 11 Duke. Despite forcing five turnovers, the team struggled to capitalize on those opportunities. It scored just one point off Maryland’s giveaways, while the Terrapins turned six turnovers into 10 points. The organizational failure of Duke’s transition defense allowed Maryland to exploit open looks as the Terrapins knocked down their 3-pointers.
“I thought in transition we were poor with our organization,” head coach Kara Lawson said. “We did not get matched up appropriately and that led to layups and open threes.”
When Duke had opportunities to shift momentum, the execution was inconsistent. In a crucial third-quarter sequence, freshman Toby Fournier’s defensive rebound set Duke up for success, but the offense faltered. Jadyn Donovan missed three layups, and Fournier missed two free throws in a single 20-second possession — letting key points slip away.
"You're going to miss some layups, but I thought we missed more than normal. We missed some wide-open ones, and then at the free-throw line, missed 12 free throws,” Lawson said. “And so I thought those were probably the two areas that we were below the level that you need to be to win a game like this."
From the jump ball to the final whistle, Maryland never trailed. The Terrapins had quickly found their rhythm, with nine points to open the game, while the Blue Devils struggled to get on the board — taking nearly four minutes to score. Maryland’s scoring bursts kept the pressure on while Duke failed to organize and execute smooth transitions to get ahead.
With every missed layup or free throw, the Blue Devils left the door open. Shooting just 53.8% from the line and converting only 20-of-42 layups, they fell behind in execution, compared to the Terrapins’ 79.2% free-throw rate. In a competitive road game, any shot could have been the difference-maker. But with missed chances mounting, the team ultimately watched Maryland secure a hard-fought victory. But looking ahead, Lawson is focused on the big picture.
“Regardless of win or loss, can we stay hungry for growth, get better, focus on the things on the film that we need to do and keep that big picture in mind?” Lawson said.
For Duke to do this, it needs to complete its most critical transition: turning potential into performance. Although the Blue Devils’ execution struggles cost them in their loss to No. 18 Maryland, flashes of talent show they are on the cusp of a breakthrough.
The team’s offensive depth was evident as at least four players finished in double figures for the third consecutive game this season. Fournier continues to shine, scoring 15 points and adding a career-best nine rebounds, while Donovan posted a double-double, contributing 12 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. All 10 players who saw game action scored, speaking to the team’s versatility and depth.
To fully realize its potential, Duke’s next step is clear: The Blue Devils must refine their transition game. By executing with precision when it matters most and capitalizing on key opportunities, they will be poised to make a significant leap toward fulfilling Lawson's vision of progress. This game was a valuable lesson in the broader study of growth.
“I told my team that you play these games for a reason. You play them because you want to learn about yourself. You want to have things revealed,” Lawson said. “There’s a lot of things we can work on, but I'm proud of my group.”
The road ahead demands that the Blue Devils finish what they start, and with each game, the margin for error narrows. The breakthrough Duke seeks is within reach — it’s now about transitioning to put it all together.
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