Duke returns home to try and extend their three-game winning streak, and will face the Seminoles, who are trying to pick up their third win over a ranked opponent and were the last team to beat the Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor Stadium in January 2012.
Projected Starters:
#18 Duke (15-4, 4-2)
G Quinn Cook, Jr., 12.8 ppg, 5.6 apg
G Matt Jones, Fr., 2.7 ppg, 0.9 rpg
F Rodney Hood, R-So., 17.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg
F Jabari Parker, Fr., 18.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg
F Amile Jefferson, So., 6.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Florida State (13-5, 4-2)
G Devon Bookert, So., 8.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg
G Montay Brandon, So., 8.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg
F Robert Gilchrist, Sr., 4.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg
F Okaro White, Sr., 12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg
C Boris Bojanovsky, So., 6.2 ppg, 2.1 bpg
What to watch for:
Tempo
The Blue Devils proved they could win easy playing at a slower pace Wednesday in their victory over Miami, yet they are at their best when they are able to run the floor and play an up-tempo game.
Florida State is a team that can play either way and tries to do the opposite of what their opponent is comfortable with, so they will likely try to slow the game down.
The Seminoles have the size, athleticism, and the depth—they have 10 players in their rotation, same as Duke—to match up with the Blue Devils, but they simply aren't as talented. If they can slow the game down and limit the number of possessions each team has, they increase their chances of pulling off the upset.
Rebounding
Neither team is exceptional at rebounding, each averaging a little less than 40 a game, but if a team can grab a sizable edge in this category, they will likely win the game.
The Seminoles are the bigger team, so they should have the edge. A lack of rebounding has played a major factor in Duke's losses so far this season, and the Blue Devils need to play with the effort they usually do at home to keep this from happening again.
Prediction: Duke 83-69. FSU will keep it close for a good portion of the game, but eventually the Blue Devils will go on a run that breaks the game open.
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