Game Preview: Duke faces Fort Valley State in exhibition

Will Duke be ready for Kansas after tonight?

After blowing nearly all of a 19 point lead to Northwest Missouri State, ultimately winning by 6, the Blue Devils are in action again on Wednesday against Fort Valley State University. Not as vaunted an opponent as NWMS but still an important game for the young Devils. Duke will need to shake off the lackluster first outing of the season and try to work on getting their offenive woes corrected. Duke shot the ball poorly from distance in their first exhibition game, going 2 for 16 for the game. Overall the Blue Devils shot 42% from the floor and only 59% from the free throw line. The Blue Devils will also look to learn from their mistakes on the defensive perimeter where they allowed the Bearcats to shoot the ball 44% from 3.

The Opponent:

The Wildcats of Fort Valley State are looking to rebound after a rough season where they went 7 and 22 and lost 5 out of their last 6 games. They return 2 of their 3 double figure scorers from last years team Shawn Foxbrennen (13.1) and K'Viontae Williams (11.8). FVSU did not shoot the ball particularly well from 3 point range last season, shooting around 33%. They averaged 66 points per game. 

Player to Watch:

Shawn Foxbrennen can be the type of small forward that could give the Blue Devils some trouble. Foxbrennen can rebound the ball and has the ability to score the basketball from all 3 areas. While he doesn't take a lot of 3-point shots he's streaky and could get hot if allowed an open one.

My Synopsis:

With an FVSU lineup that could includes 5 seniors the Blue Devils will have to play with some poise on both ends off the floor. The non-conventional small lineup could be an advantage for Duke but as we saw in the first exhibition game it all depends on how Vernon Carey and Javin DeLaurier handle themselves. Carey's issues were on the offensive end - he'll have to adjust to playing smaller forwards and look to not dip his shoulder but rather try to finish overtop of the smaller defenders. Establishing the interior against a much smaller Wildcat team will most likely be a priority for Coach K and company. Vernon Carey only played 10 minutes in his college debut saddled with 3 offensive fouls and 4 turnovers.

DeLaurier will need to right a few wrongs as well, going 2-2 from the field was a great start for the senior forward but he was responsible for 5 turnovers. 

If the Blue Devils can duplicate the defensive pressure they put on the Bearcats and turn the Wildcats over they should be able to win the game handily. Patience, shot selection and defense will be paramount for this team. Being able to finish a game strong and seeing some perimeter shots going in would be a good mood lifter for a Blue Devils team that left the court disappointed on Saturday.