Duke Blue Devils @ NC State Wolfpack Basketball Recap

Duke 92 – NC State 78

Duke traveled the 24 miles down Tobacco Road to Raleigh on Wednesday night to face NC State in an important ACC game for both teams. The Wolfpack (11-7, 1-3 ACC) was looking for its first significant win of the season – a badly-needed one for coach Sydney Lowe, who has been under increasing pressure to produce in his fifth season. The Blue Devils  (17-1, 4-1 ACC) were seeking their first road win in conference play after falling to Florida State a week earlier and dropping from number one to fourth nationally. Duke’s poise and versatility won this round, 92-78.

Lowe’s squad had upset Mike Krzyzewski’s (then-) 7th-ranked crew last year in the RBC Center matchup, and the Wolfpack, referring to a game plan used successfully last week by the Seminoles, emphasized an approach focusing on inside play.

The Blue Devils started the game quickly, leading 11-3 in the early minutes while the Wolfpack hit only one of their first 10 attempts. Duke led by as many as 16 before the heading to the locker room with a 42-28 lead.

Duke hit 50 percent of their shots in the first half; while shutting down the Wolfpack’s attempt to move the game into the paint and limiting State to a miserable 21.6 percent by altering most inside shots. Mason Plumlee managed five of Duke’s seven blocked shots without being whistled for a foul. Nolan Smith led the Blue Devils with 10 points. Forward Tracy Smith had eight points to lead the Wolfpack. Freshman forward CJ Leslie, with a determined effort under the basket, was credited with six rebounds and four points.

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The Wolfpack pulled within five points twice in the second half, but in the end the 14- point margin would be the same, with both teams shooting near 50 percent in the second period. Duke led by as many as 16 points, and hit 50.7 percent of their shots. NC State never led, and although the shots inside started to fall for the home team in the second half, only landed 36.8 percent of their baskets for the game.

Krzyzewski had success with a mix of players contributing to the score, a departure from an outside game that has characterized Duke’s play so far this season. All nine Blue Devils to take the floor had points, led by Nolan Smith’s 22. Kyle Singler’s 18 points and nine rebounds were second. Point men Miles Plumlee and Ryan Kelly each had 11 points and eight rebounds, and Mason Plumlee grabbed 10 rebounds to complete an all-around effort for Duke.

The Wolfpack, although struggling to find the basket in the first half, played with a new intensity throughout the game. Senior Tracy Smith led with 19 points and nine rebounds. Ryan Harrow and Scott Wood each had 15 points, CJ Leslie had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Richard Howell contributed 10 points and seven rebounds for the Wolfpack.

By: David Minter
DFN Sports Staff Writer