Miami can clinch its first outright conference title in program history on Saturday with a win at No. 3 Duke, which is looking to avenge a 27-point loss to the seventh-ranked Hurricanes on Jan. 23 The Blue Devils are coming off a 73-68 loss at Virginia on Thursday that assured Miami of at least a share of the ACC regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament. The Hurricanes have won nine of their last 10 games since handing Duke its worst regular-season defeat in nearly 30 years.Duke senior forward Ryan Kelly remains out with a foot injury, and he's not expected to return until next week. With Kelly out, opponents are slowing down ACC player of the year candidate Mason Plumlee, who had 10 points in 40 minutes against Virginia. Senior guard Seth Curry, who had 28 points against the Cavaliers, missed all 10 of his shots against Miami in the first matchup. Duke is 15-4 all-time against Miami, but the Hurricanes have won the last two meetings. TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPNABOUT NO. 7 MIAMI (23-4, 14-1 ACC): After losing by 15 to Wake Forest, the Hurricanes bounced back with a 76-58 win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday. Point guard Shane Larkin, who scored 22 points against the Hokies, had 18 points and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds against Duke in January. Picked to finish fifth in the ACC in the preseason, Miami has relied on a stout defense that allows 59.1 points per game. The Hurricanes are second in the ACC in field goal defense while holding teams to 38.4 percent shooting from the field. Senior guard Durand Scott, the team's second-leading scorer at 13.1 points per game, had 25 points against Duke in the first matchup.ABOUT NO. 3 DUKE (24-4, 11-4): Plumlee leads the Blue Devils in scoring (17.5) and rebounding (10.5), but the 6-10 forward averaged seven points and five boards in Duke's last two losses. Sophomore point guard Quinn Cook needs a big game after struggling to contain Larkin in January. Cook, averaging 12.1 points and 5.7 assists, was 1-of-12 shooting against the Hurricanes and was a non-factor after Miami took control of the game with a 25-1 run in the first half. If the game comes down to the wire, Duke has the edge at the foul line. The Blue Devils leads the ACC in free-throw shooting at 72.8 percent, while Miami is shooting 65.9 percent from the line.TIP-INS1. Duke is 14-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium this season, while Miami is 7-1 in ACC road games.2. Miami F Kenny Kadji has averaged 18.5 points and seven rebounds in two career games against Duke.3. Duke is looking to post its 25th victory for the sixth straight season.PREDICTION: Duke 74, Miami 71
Preview: Miami at Duke
Published: Mar 01 2013 04:52:22 PM EST
Updated On: Mar 01 2013 04:52:23 PM EST
-
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting and The Sports Xchange. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- Happ targets mid-June return
- Canseco refutes sexual-assault allegation
- Danks will rejoin White Sox's rotation Friday
- Canseco accused of sexual assault in Las Vegas
- Trout hits for cycle as Angels rout Mariners
- Vogelsong breaks hand in Giants' shutout win
- Dodgers: No plans to fire Mattingly
- MLB roundup: Rangers' Kinsler placed on DL
- Rangers rock Verlander, Tigers
- Phil Jackson: Russell over Jordan
- Mavericks plan to pursue Howard
- Report: Celtics won't let Nets talk to Rivers
- LeBron James heads All-NBA team
- James' layup at OT buzzer lifts Heat over Pacers
- Spurs escape in OT after blowing big lead
- Cavs win top pick in NBA Draft
- Durant donates $1M to OKC tornado victims
- Report: Clippers dismiss Del Negro
- Wings' third win in row pushes Blackhawks to brink
- Rangers stay alive with OT win
- Avs officially name Roy as coach
- Penguins explode in third, take 3-1 series lead
- Hot start proves enough as Sharks even series
- Bruins open commanding 3-0 lead
- Report: Roy on verge of Avalanche coaching job
- Red Wings' victory gives them 3-1 series lead
- Rookie defenseman helps Bruins to 2-0 series lead




Comments