No. 4 Duke has been in several notable matchups in the first month of the season.
It turns out that the Blue Devils were just getting warmed up in terms of high-profile opposition.
No. 15 Florida, the reigning national champion, will visit Duke on Tuesday night in Durham, N.C., in a high-profile ACC/SEC Challenge matchup.
“We’re learning something every game,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “And no matter what we’re learning each game, it’s going to be a little bit different. It has been different. How we close, what lineups we go with, how we fall into a rhythm.”
Florida (5-2) split two games last week in San Diego, falling to Texas Christian before winning against Providence. The Gators’ other loss came in the season opener to Arizona in Las Vegas.
Duke (8-0) has defeated Texas, Kansas and Arkansas on neutral courts. After this home game, the Blue Devils finish the week at Michigan State.
The Arkansas game came on Thanksgiving night and included particular challenges. Duke trailed by seven points in the second half.
“I thought that was a key moment for our team, just to learn how to win some games like that,” Scheyer said. “That was the first time being put in that situation.”
While Cameron Boozer has been a headliner for Duke, the Blue Devils are receiving key contributions from others. Guard Caleb Foster had clutch moments against Arkansas and had 15 points and eight assists.
“This is part of what college basketball is all about,” Scheyer said. “We’ve been on a journey together. He’s hung tough. He’s always wanted me to be honest with him, and he really came through in a big way.”
Nikolas Khamenia, a Duke freshman, also has been in Boozer’s shadow. He has been on the court in some notable situations.
“I’m really proud of him because he’s all about the right stuff,” Scheyer said. “His scoring is going to come too. But I think he showed how he can really impact winning (in the Arkansas game).”
Duke and Florida shared time in the same venues last spring but didn’t meet. They were both assigned to Raleigh, N.C., though not in the same bracket, for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Final Four in San Antonio.
Both teams also have Princeton transfers on their rosters. Xaivian Lee is expected to be a main contributor for Florida, while Jack Scott has been a bench player for Duke.
Lee scored 20 points in the Providence game in what amounted to a breakout performance with his new team. He’s shooting just 21.6 percent (11 of 51) on 3-point attempts this season.
“I’ve just been trying to focus on my process and not get too result-oriented,” Lee said. “… I’ve just been trying to focus on the next game and my next moment to try and break out.”
Florida coach Todd Golden said Lee’s scoring ability can make a difference for the Gators.
“It obviously raises our ceiling quite a bit,” the coach said.
Florida’s scoring leader is Thomas Haugh at 17.9 points per game.
Duke is 2-0 against Southeastern Conference opponents this season and Florida holds a 2-0 mark against Atlantic Coast Conference foes.
–Field Level Media
