The Duke Blue Devils (14-2, 3-0 ACC) treated the Cameron Crazies with an 82-58 blowout victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies (10-6, 2-1 ACC) Saturday afternoon. This was Duke’s first home game of ACC play and with the win they are now 3-0 to start conference play.
Plumlee Continues Strong Play
It was just this week when Duke center Marshall Plumlee set a career-high in points with 18 against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The senior would better that mark as he finished this game against Virginia Tech with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Plumlee was an efficient 6-of-7 from the field and just as impressive 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
“I’m fortunate to play with some really talented teammates who draw a lot of attention,” said Plumlee. “And that leaves openings for myself or other teammates.”
Three-Point Barrage
Duke came out of the gates strong, most notably from behind the arc. In the first two minutes, the Blue Devils would knock down their first four three-point attempts, two each from Brandon Ingram and Grayson Allen. At the first TV timeout, Duke would be in control as they led the Hokies 15-4.
“When you start out hitting those threes like that – that boom-boom-boom – that can knock you back,” said coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The three-point barrage would continue in the ensuing possessions, as the Blue Devils would drain three more three-pointers. Duke would finish the first half making 8-of-17 from behind the arc. It would be a different story in the second half as they only went 1-of-7, that being the last field goal of regulation.
Balanced Scoring
The Blue Devils would have five players score in double figures. Along with Plumlee’s 21, Brandon Ingram would add 16 points, nine rebounds and six blocks. Grayson Allen also finished with 16 points, while also compiling seven rebounds and four assists.
Matt Jones added 13 points while Luke Kennard came off the bench and scored 11 points. Even though freshman point guard Derryck Thornton only scored five points (2-of-10), he did bring value as he dished out seven assists and grabbed five rebounds.
Over Before It Started
Virginia Tech seemed to have lost control of this game before the game really started. Duke hit them hard with four early three-pointers, which not only got the crowd going but dug the Hokies in an early hole.
The Hokies would go into halftime down a whopping 50-23, shooting only 8-for-29 from the field (28 percent). The only player who gave Virginia Tech any offense was forward Kerry Blackshear Jr., who scored eight of his 12 points in the first half.
Zach LeDay was the only other player for Virginia Tech in double figures. LeDay finished the game with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting and nine rebounds. 16 of those 18 points came in the second half.
“We did nothing in the first, offensively or defensively,” said coach Buzz Williams. “I think that’s why the score was the way it was. We were overwhelmed. They were way better. They were way tougher.”
Up Next
The Duke Blue Devils will go on the road and face the Clemson Tigers on Wednesday. The Virginia Tech Hokies will go home and host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Wednesday.