Duke’s 106-69 win over Queens Saturday afternoon was a contrast of lasts and first.
It was Duke’s last game of the 2023 calendar year and the last non-conference game of the 2023-’24 regular season. But it was the first game back after a 10-day holiday layoff, the first game of the portion of the season with a game on the weekend, a game in the middle of the week, rinse and repeat.
But perhaps most importantly it was Tyrese Proctor’s first game back after sustaining an ankle injury early in Duke’s loss at Georgia Tech, back on December 2.
Proctor came off the bench and played 18 minutes, a few more than Jon Scheyer projected, Proctor had nine points and four assists, showing some expected rust but playing with increased confidence as the game progressed.
Proctor said the expected things about coming back and being glad and all that. But he also said he’s still playing in some pain which he expects to go away eventually but he’ll push through pain until then.
“He looked great tonight. I’m happy with what he did,” Jon Scheyer said.”
The game itself wasn’t expected to be competitive and it wasn’t. Doesn’t mean Duke didn’t benefit from playing the game.
“I thought we came out with a strong start,” Scheyer said. “I thought the starting group was aggressive and did a good job. Then, throughout the first half we were working through some rust a little bit. This game was important for us to take the next step together.”
Maybe a little rust. But not much. I’ve seen lots of Duke teams come back after long layoffs and and struggle a lot more than anything I saw today. Duke was sharp and focused from the opening tip.
Freshman Jared McCain dominated early. In fact he scored 14 of Duke’s first 25 points over a span of 9:05.
Duke led 25-13 at that point.
He gave credit to his teammates finding him but acknowledged that the game is slowing down for him.
“I’ve been really big on control, letting the game come to me. I know I can make these shots.”
But he also says that he’s more comfortable hunting his shot.
“When I know I can make a shot, I’ll take it. When I find an opening, I’m going to drive. If they’re pressuring me, I know I can get by them with pull-up jump shots. Just playing off what the defense is giving me.”
“I love the fact how ready he was to shoot tonight,” Scheyer said. “Jared has just played with a confidence level and a swagger on the offensive end and the defensive.”
Queens closed to 25-17 before Duke extended the lead to 17 points on a couple of occasions.
It was 46-33 at the half.
Kyle Filipowski led the blow-out in the second half, not just on offense but on defense, with blocks, steals, deflections, dives on the floor, you name it.
“I’ve been trying to work on that, in many different aspects,” he said of his defense, “blocking and effecting shots at the rim and keeping guards in front of me. I think I’m improving in that for sure. That’s what the team needs.”
Scheyer agrees.
“The last few weeks, I think he’s made a big jump on defense. People try to attack him because if you can get a foul on him, it’s a big play. His activity has been key for us, his versatility. He’s been guarding a lot of guards, staying in front and also protecting the basket. I think he’s become one of the best two-way players in the country.”
Filipowski notched a steal at the beginning of the second half and finished at the other end. Then an old-fashioned three-point play and it was 51-36. Another basket inside, then another and it was 59-41, Filipowski with nine points in the first 4:17 of the second half.
Filipowski ended the game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks, not to mention all the positives that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
All in 22 minutes.
Duke got its first 20-point lead at 64-44, then a Proctor triple made it 67-44 and the blow-out was on.
All 10 recruited players--Christian Reeves still not dressed out-played at least 10 minutes, no one more than Caleb Foster’s 27:26. They all scored at least five points as Duke hit the century mark for the first time in the regular season.
McCain led everyone with 24 points, including 4 of 9 from beyond the arc. He’s scored 79 points in Duke’s last four games, making 13 of his last 26 3-pointers.
Filipowski wasn’t the only Duke big to stuff the stat sheet. Mark Mitchell had 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block.
“I think I had a good game today,” he said. “Just trying to impact the game any way that I can.”
Foster had 13 points, Jeremy Roach tied Proctor for the team lead with four assists, vets Ryan Young (8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) and Jaylen Blakes (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) gave Duke a lift off the bench.
If this seems like a lot of assists, it is. Duke had 24, 17 in the second half, with nine Blue Devils having at least two. Duke had more steals (11) and blocks (11) than turnovers (nine). Duke connected on 31 of 43 two-pointers.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention fearless Queens guard Deyton Albury, a native of the Bahamas. He had 23 points, almost all inside.
He also had seven turnovers. So, there’s that.
Like I said, ACC play all the way down for awhile.
“I think we’re ready,” Filipowski said. “It’s just taking what we’ve learned this first third of the season, especially this last month, and just transitioning it to ACC play.”
Great recap, Jim. Very solid game after the long layoff. I did think the officiating was a bit tight, and led to Flip sitting a lot of minutes. Hopefully he can avoid that situation in conference. Looking forward to seeing how we stack up in conference. I like our progress so far. Getting Proctor back full speed will be a huge factor — may be a week or two away judging from today. But time to get focused!!!