Duke still has two games remaining before it dives into the rigorous ACC schedule, but for all intents and purposes the nonconference portion of the season is over. Post-Christmas opponents Elon and Long Beach State are a combined 14-10 and could pose some problems for the Blue Devils, though anything that occurs in those games won't be different than what's already transpired.
The Blue Devils are coming off their second loss of the season, a 77-75 setback to Utah on Saturday in New York City. That result provided a very telling look at what Duke has to work with in the wake of senior Amile Jefferson's foot injury.