Duke's Quest for ACC Glory
Duke is on the brink of securing at least a share of the ACC regular season title as they prepare to face Florida State. The Blue Devils, with a strong 15-1 record in conference play and 20-7 overall, are keen to rebound after a narrow 53-51 loss to Clemson.
Ranked 12th in the latest AP poll, Duke's 15 ACC victories this season tie the record under head coach Kara Lawson. This impressive run includes a 17-game win streak, the longest during Lawson's tenure.
Navigating a Tough Schedule
Duke's seven losses came against some of the toughest teams in the nation, including top-ranked LSU, UCLA, and South Carolina. Sophomore standout Toby Fournier leads the offensive charge with 17.8 points per game, supported by Taina Mair's all-around contributions of 11.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game. Ashlon Jackson has been a force on both ends, averaging 11.6 points and leading the team with 55 three-pointers, while also taking on the toughest defensive assignments.
Dominance on the Boards
Fournier, along with Arianna Roberson and Delaney Thomas, anchors Duke's rebounding efforts. They're averaging 8.2, 6.1, and 5.6 rebounds per game, respectively.
Thomas is also shooting a team-high 63 percent from the field, adding 10.1 points per game, while Roberson contributes 9.0 points and 1.2 blocks per game. Fournier tops the team in rim protection with 2.2 blocks per game.
Historical Edge Against Florida State
Facing Florida State for the 56th time, Duke holds a commanding 40-15 lead in the series. The Blue Devils have won the last two matchups, though Florida State has managed five wins at Cameron Indoor Stadium, with the latest in the 2021-22 season.
ACC Title Within Reach
A victory on Thursday would secure Duke's 13th ACC regular season championship and the first since 2013. The Blue Devils have previously won the title outright nine times and shared it on three occasions. Achieving this feat would make Duke the fourth different team in the last five years to claim at least a share of the trophy.
Seven-Player Rotation Success
Duke has thrived with a streamlined seven-player rotation, successfully defeating three AP top 25 teams along the way. This approach has made them one of only three teams to notch multiple wins against ranked opponents with such a limited lineup.
Mair's Versatility
Taina Mair has been indispensable, scoring in double figures in nearly half of the games and consistently contributing across the board. Her 65 steals rank third in the ACC, and she recently joined an elite group of Blue Devils with over 1,000 career points and 500 assists. Mair's playmaking prowess has her on the brink of entering the top 10 in Duke's career assists.
Jackson's Defensive Mastery
Ashlon Jackson has excelled defensively, regularly shutting down top perimeter threats. Her defensive efforts have been pivotal in Duke holding seven opponents to under 35 percent shooting and keeping six teams below 50 points.
Closing the Season
Duke wraps up the regular season with a showdown against rival North Carolina on March 1, with the game set to air on ESPN. This matchup will be crucial as the Blue Devils aim to solidify their standing and momentum heading into the postseason.