Game Preview: Duke vs Pitt – Tues Jan 7th 2025

Duke is riding an eight game winning streak heading into tonight’s clash with top of the league Pitt. 

The Panthers, led by former Blue Devil player and coach Jeff Capel, look to keep their winning ways in Cameron coming off a victory last season and stay atop in first place in the ACC. Last year’s victory was the Panthers first victory in Durham since 1979.

Duke (12-2, 4-0 ACC), ranked #4 in the AP Poll, coming off an impressive Quad 1 win against the SMU Mustangs in Dallas, controlling the game and taking the 89-62 victory . Like most games for the Blue Devils this year, Cooper Flagg led the way with 24 points, 11 rebounds.  The Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer did not make the trip to Dallas due to an illness. Associate Head Coach Chris Carawell took over the controls in Scheyers absence. 

“Look, I felt horrible,” Scheyer said Monday on the Atlantic Coast Conference coaches’ teleconference. “I felt very confident in the decision we made late at night right before the game, just because I had so much trust in our staff and players. I thought we were prepared. The game plan was in.”

Pittsburgh (12-2, 3-0 ACC) is coming off an impressive 83-68 conference win against Stanford Saturday evening. Pitt was led by Senior Ishmael Leggette who had been sidelined since December 21st with an ankle injury. Leggette finished with 21 points followed by Sophomore Jaland Lowe’s 16. 

Tale of the the Tape

• Pitt averages 84 points per game while Duke gives up less than 60
• Duke scores 83 points per game while Pitt gives up 68
• Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Pitt’s Ishmael Leggette average 17 points per game
• Duke #2 in Kenpom rankings, Pitt #22

Keys to Victory:

Duke

• Keep Kon Kneuppel and Tyrece Proctor hot. The tandem found their stroke against SMU, look for them to keep the momentum
• Maliq Brown bounce-back game. Brown picked up two early fouls and was ineffective against SMU’s size. Kahman Malauch had to play extended minutes to make up. Brown will need to be disruptive on the defensive end
• Let Cooper Flagg be himself. Let the future #1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft feel out the game and insert himself when needed. He will make a difference.

Pitt

• Lean on experience. Leggette has played, and won in Cameron before. The atmosphere should not affect him, or coach Jeff Capel
• Tire out Duke’s bigs. Pitt finished the Stanford game with a 40-10 advantage in the paint and out rebounded the Cardinal 34-23. Force Maliq Brown to play in the paint
• Avoid a slow start. If Duke starts hot, and the Crazies get into the game, it could be along night for the Panthers

Besides the Tar Heels, Pittsburgh is shaping up to be the toughest opponent left on the Duke schedule. A victory tonight could set the Blue Devils up to achieve a perfect ACC regular season and a #1 seed in March’s NCAA Tournament. A victory by Pittsburgh can help the Panthers find themselves back into the AP Top 25 and a marquee victory on their tournament resume.