The Tennessee State Tigers will travel to Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on the 5th ranked Duke Blue Devils this Monday night in College Basketball action.
The Tennessee State Tigers improved to 8-2 on the season after defeating the Alabama State Hornets, 68-46, this past Wednesday. Tennessee State had an outstanding 1st half and had no trouble putting away Alabama State after taking a 40-13 halftime lead. Tennessee State held Alabama State to just 25.4% shooting from the field and 14.3% (3-21) from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Tigers was Jordan Reed who had 13 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal. On the season, Tennessee State is averaging 71.2 PPG on 43.7% shooting from the field. The Tigers are averaging 5.6 three-pointers per game on 37.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Tennessee State has been led by Wayne Martin (12.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG), Tahjere McCall (12.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 2.9 SPG), Jordan Reed (10.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.2 APG), and Ken’Darrius Hamilton (8.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG). Defensively, Tennessee State is holding their opponents to an average of 64.2 PPG on 37.7% shooting from the field. The Tigers have a rebound margin of 5.5 and a turnover margin of 1.1.
The 5th ranked Duke Blue Devils won their 7th straight game and improved to 10-1 on the season after defeating the UNLV Rebels, 94-45, this past Saturday. Duke had little trouble putting away UNLV as the Blue Devils held a 42-26 halftime lead and by at least 20 points for the majority of the 2nd half. Duke was great on the offensive end as the Blue Devils shot 58.7% from the field and 45.5% (10-22) from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Blue Devils was Grayson Allen who had 34 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist. On the season, Duke is averaging 86.3 PPG on 50.2% shooting from the field. The Blue Devils are averaging 8.1 three-pointers per game on 36.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Duke has been led by Luke Kennard (20.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.2 SPG), Grayson Allen (17.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.2 SPG), Amile Jefferson (15.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.2 APG), and Jayson Tatum (15.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.7 APG). Defensively, Duke is holding their opponents to an average of 62.5 PPG on 39.0% shooting from the field. The Blue Devils have a rebound margin of 8.0 and a turnover margin of 3.1.
Tennessee State is of the better teams in the Ohio Valley Conference this season and is a very strong defensive team as they rank 46th in scoring defense and 23rd and defensive FG%. Duke has a great mixture of experience and young talent and has been outstanding on both sides of the ball as the Blue Devils rank T-18th in scoring offense and 26th in scoring defense.
Endgame
Tennessee State does have some big game experience this season, taking NC State to overtime but Duke is on a mission. A mission to get healthy and to catch up to the rest of the teams who haven’t been knocked off of schedule by injury. There is a possibility that Duke will have Harry Giles but there is also the possibility that he will not play. If Duke can get some minutes for Giles in this game and the next they will be set up to ease into the ACC season with all pieces accounted for.
Tennessee State does not have much of a chance to get the win in this one, however, with two great defense players in Tahjere McCall and Wayne Martin, I think the Tigers will be able to do enough to be competitive to a point. I see Duke winning 89-65.
