Cameron Indoor Stadium was buzzing Monday night as Duke’s men’s basketball team aimed to extend their win streak to 14 games against N.C. State. But after 20 minutes of play, the Blue Devils found themselves in unfamiliar territory, trailing the Wolfpack 37-33.
Wolfpack’s Offense Stymies Duke’s Defense
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer reverted to the team’s bread-and-butter man-to-man defense after experimenting with a zone against Wake Forest, but N.C. State was more than prepared. The Wolfpack’s offensive execution was clinical, punishing Duke with contested jumpers and sharpshooting from deep.
In stark contrast to many of Duke’s opponents this season, N.C. State lit it up early from beyond the arc, hitting 5-of-7 three-pointers to open the game. The Wolfpack’s 23-12 lead midway through the half underscored their offensive rhythm, finishing the period shooting 48.4% from the field and 58.3% from three.
Turnovers Continue to Haunt Duke
Turnover woes from Duke’s previous outing against Wake Forest carried over into this game, with sloppy play contributing to N.C. State’s early dominance.
The Blue Devils’ opening possession ended with Sion James losing the ball, and Cooper Flagg’s errant pass a minute later set the tone for a first half riddled with miscues. Duke finished the period with nine turnovers, allowing N.C. State to control the tempo. The Wolfpack had turnover issues of their own, coughing the ball up seven times, but Duke struggled to capitalize fully on those opportunities.
Offensive Struggles Persist
Shooting inefficiency plagued the Blue Devils yet again. Duke missed 10 of its first 14 attempts and went 1-of-7 from three-point range to start. The offensive struggles were reminiscent of their season-low 63-point performance against Wake Forest, but this time, the defense couldn’t bail them out.
Freshman Cooper Flagg and junior guard Tyrese Proctor endured particularly rough shooting halves. Flagg managed just five points on 2-of-7 shooting, while Proctor continued to struggle, hitting only one of his six attempts. For Proctor, it mirrored his tough outing against Wake Forest, but Blue Devil fans will hope for another late-game surge from the talented guard.
Mid-Half Comeback Shows Promise
Trailing 23-12 and with the momentum fully in the Wolfpack’s favor, Scheyer called a timeout to regroup his squad. The adjustment paid immediate dividends. Sion James ignited the Blue Devils with two consecutive steals, leading to a Knueppel three-pointer and a ferocious slam from James that sent the Cameron Crazies into a frenzy.
Despite Duke’s efforts to close the gap, N.C. State’s senior guard Dontrez Styles proved relentless, draining three treys en route to 13 first-half points. Fellow senior Michael O’Connell added nine points, keeping the Wolfpack ahead as Duke made its push.
Player of the Half: Kon Knueppel
Freshman standout Kon Knueppel was a bright spot in Duke’s otherwise inconsistent first half. The Milwaukee native showcased his elite shooting touch, knocking down three critical three-pointers that helped the Blue Devils claw back into contention. Knueppel’s 11 points and five rebounds were pivotal, as his offensive boards created much-needed second-chance opportunities for a struggling Duke offense.
Second-Half Outlook
The Blue Devils enter the second half with work to do on both ends of the floor. Their defensive adjustments need to account for N.C. State’s three-point barrage, while cutting down on turnovers and improving shooting efficiency will be crucial.
Duke fans will be looking to their stars, particularly Proctor and Flagg, to step up in crunch time. Meanwhile, Scheyer’s halftime adjustments will be put to the test as the Blue Devils try to mount a comeback and keep their win streak alive.
With 20 minutes left, it’s anyone’s game at Cameron Indoor. Can Duke deliver when it matters most? Stay tuned.
