swiseman@heraldsun.com
DURHAM — The last time No. 7-ranked Duke played at Cameron Indoor Stadium, it was difficult to decipher which team won and which team lost when the game ended.
That lackluster 83-76 win over St. John’s eight days ago, however, just may cause the Blue Devils to be happier as the season progresses.
Duke responded to that Jan. 28 win with efforts to improve its cohesiveness at both ends of the court. The Blue Devils displayed that togetherness in a 75-60 win at Virginia Tech Thursday night.
Duke plays Miami today (3:05 p.m., ESPNU) at Cameron seeking to prove what it did at Blacksburg, Va., can be repeated consistently.
The Blue Devils (19-3, 6-1 in ACC) need a win to keep pace with league leaders North Carolina and Florida State, which both won Saturday to improve their league marks to 7-1.
Haphazard play on defense at times this season has made things difficult for the Blue Devils. But Duke showed improved communication, which helped it limit Virginia Tech to 3 of 13 3-point shooting (23 percent) while winning the rebounding battle 33-29.
“That’s how it’s got to be, regardless of if we’re making shots or not,” Duke junior forward Ryan Kelly said. “Our defense has to be with that level of intensity. Guys are stepping up. Our communication level these last five games (before Virginia Tech) hadn’t been up to par. Guys commanding each other, that’s what you have to do to be a strong team.”
More of that kind effort will be necessary for Duke to stay at the top of the ACC standings. Today’s game is the first of a stretch in which the Blue Devils play three of four games at home. The only road game over the next two weeks is Wednesday’s at UNC.
The players, even youngsters like freshman Austin Rivers, know what’s at stake for the next few weeks.
“We have nine games now left in our (regular) season,” Rivers said. “When you look at seniors like Miles (Plumlee), in a month from now he’ll never play in Cameron again. That kind of bothers me because I want to play hard for him. That’s what we’re going to do is fight for everybody, but especially the older guys.”
While tightening things up on defense against Virginia Tech, Duke also played very efficient and clean offense. On a night when Duke shot 47.4 percent overall, the Blue Devils hit 8 of 18 3-pointers (44.4 percent) and committed only seven turnovers.
Duke used a new lineup at Virginia Tech, with sophomore forward Josh Hairston getting his first start. His classmate, Tyler Thornton, started at point guard for the first time in ACC play this season with Mason Plumlee, Austin Rivers and Andre Dawkins rounding out the starting five.
“We’re constantly looking at things,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “It’s not like anybody has cemented spots. Those guys were playing anyway, not as much Josh. But Josh is our best communicator from the bigs.”
Hairston scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in 15 minutes of play against the Hokies. Thornton scored only two points, but he turned the ball over just once in 28 minutes.
Their presence in the starting lineup meant Kelly and fellow junior Seth Curry came off the bench. Kelly scored 15 points, while Curry had 11 to provide Duke with serious depth.
“Everybody's so unselfish now,” Rivers said, “and it makes everything fun.”
Beginning with Miami today, the Blue Devils strive to maintain this level of play and make the rest of the season fun along the way.
