Virginia Tech at Duke: Gameday Open Thread

Hokies visit Blue Devils fresh off Duke's blowout loss

Duke will attempt to bounce back from Wednesday's blowout loss at NC State. The Wolfpack handed it to the Blue Devils, 88-66 to bring Duke's seven-game winning streak to a screeching halt.

The Blue Devils host Virginia Tech Saturday at 8:00 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won the initial matchup with the Hokies in Blacksburg, erasing a double-digit deficit with a second-half rally to win by 14.

Virginia Tech built that lead by capitalizing on a weakness that recurred for Duke in the NC State loss, as the Hokie guards were able to penetrate and score at the rim. Tech had an edge in points in the paint despite not having a big man to match up with Vernon Carey Jr.

The Hokies are led by freshman Landers Nolley II, who is competing with Carey for the ACC Freshman of the Year honors. Duke held him to single-digit scoring for one of just three times this year. The Blue Devils also contained Jalen Cone, who has become one of Tech's leading three-point shooters. Cone has hit four treys in each of the last two games, but he didn't get a three pointer off against the Blue Devils.

Tech also relies on Tyrece Radford, who hit 6-of-7 against Duke. He was 10-of-11 in his last game for 27 in a triple overtime loss to Miami.

Duke is looking to clinch a double-bye in the upcoming ACC Tournament. The Blue Devils are 12-3 in conference, and the teams tied for fifth can all reach 12 wins in a best-case scenario. So one more win will mean Duke doesn't get started in Greensboro until Thursday of ACC Tourney week.

Duke's starters: Vernon Carey Jr., Wendell Moore Jr., Tre Jones, Jordan Goldwire, Cassius Stanley. Duke's second game with that lineup (1-0 record).

A little Journey karaoke and we're ready to go

Tre Jones hits back-to-back threes to get us started. Duke has yet to miss, up 8-2 early.

Stanley has now hit a pair of threes. Duke is 4-of-5 from downtown, 6-of-8 overall, leads 16-7 at the under 16. Vernon Carey has four points. Nahiem Alleyne keeping Tech in the game right now with five of the team's seven points.

Duke had six assists in the loss at NC State. The Blue Devils have four on their first six baskets tonight. Duke has also matched its four three-pointers (in 17 attempts) from the State game.

Vernon Carey hits a three and VT gets a time out ... can't wait for the under 12. Duke up 28-14 and has hit five of six from three.

Duke hits Virginia Tech with a 7-0 run heading into the under 8. Blue Devils lead 37-16. Duke is hitting 61.9 percent from the field, VT 27.8. Duke is doubling Tech up on the boards, 14-7.

Duke calls time out to trigger the under four, leading 46-21. Stanley has 14. Carey has 11 and five rebounds.

Duke was under the foul limit, so Alex O'Connell was intentionally fouling on VT's last possession to kill clock. Looks like he was upset on the last one (which was his third of the game) which may not have been intentional. Coach K took him aside before leaving the court to explain things.

At the half, it's all Duke, 51-25.

Cassius Stanley has 16, Carey has 11 and 7 rebounds. Jones and Hurt have eight each.

Duke outrebounding VT 28-14. Points in the paint are 20-8.

At the under 16, Duke is up 56-31 and Va Tech already has four team fouls this half. Could be a long time at the line. After struggling there against State, Duke is 10-13 tonight.

Sure enough, Duke is in the one-and-one with 12:30 to play.

At the under 12, it's 67-39 Duke. Tech has hit 3-of-5 from three this half, but just 1-of-7 from two to actually fall further behind.

A roundup of Duke's top defensive targets. Landers Nolley (17.3 ppg) is 1-for-8, 3 points. Tyrece Radford (11-of-12 vs. Miami earlier this week for 27 points) is 5-of-12 with 3 turnovers. Wabissa Bede is 1-of-6.

Cattoor scores seven points for Tech. Duke lead is down to 71-50.

Five-star 2021 PF Patrick Baldwin is visiting Duke for the game. He shows how the fans' "Sit with us" chant is supposed to work, joining the Cameron Crazies for the last seven minutes of the game.

At the under 4, it's 80-57 Duke. Hurt now up to 16 points. Justin Robinson coming into the game, which means it's bench-clearing time soon.

Duke puts a wrap on the 88-64 win clinching a berth in the ACC Tourney Quarterfinals