Although Indiana State surprised Duke by running out to a 14-4 lead thanks to some sensational early three point shooting, reality settled in quickly for the Sycamores as Duke pushed back, going up 15-14.
Indiana State went up 17-15, but after that, it was almost all Duke. Cameron Boozer had a sensational first half, finishing with 23 points, but it was much more than that.
Duke came after Indiana State on all fronts. The defense cranked up, the ball was moving and the Sycamores had no answers. By halftime, Duke was up 51-32. Since going down by 10 early, the Blue Devils completely turned things around, outscoring ISU by 41-18. This was largely because Scheyer put in Maliq Brown and Nik Khamenia, who cranked up the defensive intensity.
Boozer was sensational throughout – we’ll get back to him – but after the slow start, the entire team played well. Duke shot 10-28 on threes (36%) and 38-71 overall (54%). Of the 38 made shots, 22 were assisted. Duke dominated the boards, 48-27, and forced 18 turnovers, which led to a lot of easy baskets.
We saw terrific defense overall. Brown was Brown, getting his mitts in everywhere and causing trouble wherever he went, but other guys have really advanced. Patrick Ngongba had four blocks. Duke had 13 steals too – Cameron Boozer had 3, while Brown, Dame Sarr, Isaiah Evans and Cayden Boozer had 2 each.
What we most liked though about this game was the swagger that certain guys had. Sarr is really coming along. He had 10 points and was outstanding on defense and in transition. Evans shot poorly, hitting just 2-8, but he mixed it up inside and got a block (ESPN didn’t give him credit for it). Caleb Foster was much more aggressive offensively, which is a big improvement personally and for the team.
Brown was much better offensively too, which is lagniappe considering the high level of his defense. Nik Khamenia also is looking much more at ease on both ends. Remember in the exhibition games how he often looked overmatched? He has a much better sense of where he is on the court now and what he can and cannot do.
Okay, back to Boozer.
Duke’s young star finished with 35 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and just 1 turnover. Toss in 3 steals and 3 blocks and that’s a great night’s work. He shot 2-2 from deep and 13-16 overall. You can say what you want about Indiana State but that’s a hell of a stat line for anyone, let alone a freshman. Wow.
According to ESPN, no one has managed 35 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists with just 1 turnover since Carmelo did it in 2003.
Fine company indeed.
For more local company, Boozer ties Zion Williamson and Jared McCain with 35 points as a freshman. Flagg owns the record with 42.
After the slow start, Duke was dominant the rest of the way, but we thought that Indiana State was well coached. There’s not much you can do when the other team is more talented and just as tough, but ISU was smart and tough-minded. They’ve had some adversity, with their coach out for some time yet with open-heart surgery and in the end, Duke beat them like a drum.
Nonetheless, they continued to execute and they never lost their composure. That’s a credit to that coaching staff.
Bottom line here – Duke had a lot to be encouraged about. We’ll see what they do with the new-found knowledge when they play Kansas on Tuesday.
Notes – Aside from the rest of his heroics, Boozer shot 90% in the first half…you can see chemistry is emerging, not least of all with the number of lobs increasing…Cayden Boozer looks increasingly confident in the halfcourt…he’s already got it on the break…Boozer and Ngongba finished with 20 rebounds between them…Evans and Foster finished with 7 between them…the bench had 18…
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