Record: 27-5, 14-4 ACC
RPI: 1
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski, 33rd season, 29th NCAA appearance
Last NCAA tournament appearance: 2012 lost in first round to Lehigh
Notable wins: VCU, Ohio State, Louisville, Minnesota, UNC (twice), Miami, N.C. State, Temple
Senior
guard Seth Curry (17 points per game) has battled through a season in
which he practices about once a week because of a high ankle sprain.
Playing games close together have often resulted in so-so performances
in the second contest, so it’s vital that Curry play the second game
each week -- provided Duke advances -- better than he has during the
regular season. Curry has converted 43 percent of his 3-point attempts
this season, and at times has carried Duke, including the first half in a
win at North Carolina. He also happened to have been well rested for
that game. And when Curry is on from the perimeter, so much else opens
up for the Blue Devils.
Mason
Plumlee, a strong, 6-foot-10 senior center, had his poorest
performances in Duke’s losses. In their five defeats, Plumlee averaged
12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 37.6 minutes. In Duke’s 27 victories, he
has averaged 18 points and 10.7 rebounds in just 34.4 minutes per
contest. The key for Duke is getting Plumlee going inside. Defenses will
collapse on him, which is fine because he is such a willing and capable
passer and it allows him to find teammates on the perimeter.
Albany
(24-10, RPI No. 131) won the America East Tournament after going 9-7 in
the regular season. The Great Danes’ most notable nonconference
performances came in a 63-62 win at Washington and an 82-60 loss at Ohio
State. They also have five true nonconference road victories and 11
overall, which is among the most in the nation. Ten Danes average 10 or
more minutes per game, but only two players average scoring in double
figures. Senior guards Mike Black (14.9 ppg) and Jacob Iati (12.1 ppg)
lead Albany in scoring. The Danes last faced Duke on Dec. 17, 2007 and
lost, 110-70 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Senior
forward Ryan Kelly scored 36 points in his first game back after
missing 13 contests because of a foot injury. But Kelly has scored just
32 points in three games since, including only eight points in each of
the last two games. More concerning for Duke is that Kelly, who
converted nine of his first 12 3-point attempts after his return, has
missed 10 straight and hasn’t hit one in Duke’s last 91 minutes.
