In their first action of the season the Blue Devils took on the challenge of the Division II National Champion Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats gave the Blue Devils a good test and a good evaluation of where they are and where they need to be.
Not a conventional team, the Bearcats were a very impressive team from beyond the arc. Getting the Blue Devils in switches and cashing in from three point range to the tune of 15-34. The mobility and strong perimeter game rendered the Blue Devils biggest advantage (a large front court) virtually useless. This should have been a game where Vernon Carey and Javin DeLaurier had field days against a team who’s tallest player was 6’8 but with Carey racking up 4 offensive fouls and being limited to only 10 minutes in his debut and DeLaurier only getting 2 opportunities at the rim Duke’s advantage was nil.