SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Devils Prepare For 2nd Top-10 Matchup
By Ben Cohen | December 16, 2008
There were 92,000 fewer fans than they're used to, but even Lloyd Carr and Rich Rodriguez must have been impressed by the atmosphere inside Crisler Arena Saturday afternoon.
With the Blue Devils clinging to a 53-50 lead in the late stages of Saturday's game against Michigan, the Wolverines' Zack Novak drilled a 3-pointer from the right wing.
Going into halftime, No. 12 Duke's sloppy offensive play had given it only a four-point lead against Michigan.
A deep bench paced the Blue Devils to a 99-56 win over UNC-Asheville in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson, who both scored 14 points, led six Duke players in double figures...
There is no question the Blue Devils are hurting. Hurting without their sophomore point guard, Jasmine Thomas, who sprained her MCL over a week ago.
The last time No. 4 Duke played Michigan in the 2K Sports Classic final, the Blue Devils opted to take an extra hour of practice the morning of the game because of a quick turnaround between contests.
Before returning home Thursday, Duke had struggled with its offense in a three-game road swing that resulted in one loss and another win that was too close for comfort.