Gameday Preview: #3 Duke at Miami – Tues Feb 25th 2025

Coral Gables, Florida: The Duke Blue Devils (24-3, 15-1 ACC) travel to Coral Gables to take on the Miami Hurricanes (6-21, 2-14 ACC). The Hurricanes have only been able to muster 2 wins over the last 16 games as they are looking at missing the ACC tournament the first year it is possible to do.

A major storyline going into tonight’s game is Miami’s hunt for a new coach. Reports over the weekend say that the Hurricanes have narrowed their focus on Duke assistant coach Jai Lucas. Lucas is lauded as a recruiting whiz, starting his coaching career at Texas then becoming the lead recruiter under John Calapari at Kentucky before heading to Duke. Lucas is credited with the recruitment of Cooper Flagg and the incoming Boozer twins. Ironically enough, Lucas lured the Boozer twins away from Miami to play at their father alma mater. Coach Jon Scheyer called Lucas “a terrific person and terrific coach”. Lucas will be missed by the Blue Devils if the rumors of his leaving are true. 

Duke is coming off a dismantling of the Big Ten’s Illinois Fighting Illini in New York City at Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils scored 110 points, the second time scoring over 105 points in the week. At one point, the Blue Devils had 45 points in the second half. Isaiah Evans led the Blue Devils in scoring with 17 points and was joined by 6 other Blue Devils in double figures. Cooper Flagg added 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in his Madison Square Garden debut; Kon Knueppel scored 15. Potential top 5 pick for the Illini Kasparas Jakucionis was held under his average of 20 points per game to 14 points.

The Hurricanes are coming off a loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies 81-68. The bright spot for the Hurricanes was Jaydon Young’s 21 points. The Hurricanes were tied with the Hokies at halftime before the Virginia Tech Hokies exploded for 43 second half points. 

Key Points

Duke

• As ACC Network’s Joel Berry described the Illinois game, the Blue Devils will have another “glorified practice” in Miami. Look for the Blue Devils to play the whole bench and garner further confidence in Caleb Foster and Isiah Evans.
• Get hot fast and end this game quickly. The Blue Devils are a 22 point favorite and do not need to let the Hurricanes hang around. Like most bad teams, the Hurricanes are looking for a bright spot, don’t let it be Duke.
• Develop a defensive identity without Maliq Brown. Brown will miss his second straight game with no timetable set for his return. The Blue Devils were able to play staunch D against a top-30 offense of Illinois. Look for them to do the same tonight

Miami

• Lynn Kidd scored 20 against the Blue Devils in their last matchup against Khaman Maluach. He could be a spark again for the Hurricanes
• Play slow- Don’t give the Blue Devils a lot of possession because they will score. Limit the scoring opportunities for the Blue Devils and keep them off the century mark
• Be aggressive on defense. Try to get the Blue Devils flustered to make them turn the ball over. 

Hopes and prayers would also go a long way for the Hurricanes against a Duke team who is playing at an elite level.