TUCSON, Ariz.—The No. 12 Duke men’s basketball team faced off against No. 17 Arizona in their first true road game of the season, making a strong impression with a 34-27 lead at halftime.
This matchup marked Duke’s only true road contest outside of their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, and despite the raucous atmosphere created by the ZonaZoo fans, the Blue Devils displayed commendable composure. The team’s six-point advantage began to diminish with just over six minutes to go in the first half, but they managed to maintain a two-possession lead going into halftime, thanks in part to crucial plays from key players.
While Duke’s veterans struggled initially, the team’s freshmen stepped up to energize the offensive efforts. Khaman Maluach sparked their scoring with a second-chance layup, followed by Cooper Flagg, who made consecutive jumpers. Arizona quickly responded with Jaden Bradley, who contributed eight points early on, and Trey Townsend adding the other four points in that stretch.
One focal point in this game has been Caleb Love, a seasoned player for Duke making his ninth appearance with the team. Although he has been facing challenges this season with a shooting percentage of just 26.3% from three-point range, he managed to find the basket late in the first half, emerging with a transition layup that helped maintain Duke’s lead.
Both teams encountered a shooting slump around the five-minute mark, with Duke missing seven consecutive shots, while Arizona experienced eight misses. Despite this lull in scoring, Duke kept their footing and finished the half with strong contributions from their junior guard Tyrese Proctor, who made vital 3-pointers and assisted his teammates effectively.
As the Duke Blue Devils continue their campaign, moments like these illustrate the potential of their younger players while highlighting areas for improvement among their more experienced members. The ability to maintain focus and adapt in challenging environments could prove beneficial as the season progresses.
In summary, Duke leads at halftime thanks to a strong effort from their freshmen and the experience of Tyrese Proctor, despite some struggles from veteran Caleb Love. This matchup serves as a valuable experience as the team faces demanding road challenges ahead. The resilience shown in the first half is a positive sign for Duke’s ability to compete at a high level this season.