The matchup between Duke and Notre Dame has turned into something of a rivalry since the Fighting Irish began playing full-time in the ACC. The Blue Devils blew the team out last year at home, winning by 30 points. However, Notre Dame has taken the other three meetings. They got the latest win in the ACC tournament last year by 10 points. Now Duke is searching for revenge as they gain confidence in conference play.
The Blue Devils were starting to look like the team that won the national championship a year ago, but a tough loss to Clemson has set them back. Duke won their first three games in ACC play, but fell to the Tigers 68-63. The biggest issue for Duke right now is trying to figure out how to overcome the loss of Amile Jefferson who is out with a fractured right foot. The Blue Devils have been trying to run with a six-man rotation, but when Chase Jeter and Brandon Ingram got into foul trouble early, the Blue Devils fell apart. Marshall Plumlee, Matt Jones and Grayson Allen have been trying to replace Jefferson, but it simply is not working.
"If there's only so much lead in your pencil, you have to be careful how many words you write," coach Mike Krzyzewski said, via ESPN.com. "But that's the game and you've got to be really smart. It's tough for a young team to be really smart."
Now the Blue Devils will put their 17-game home win streak on the line as the Fighting Irish come to town. After losing big talent last year, Demetrius Jackson is stepping up as both a leader and shooter. He leads Notre Dam with 19.8 points per game. Notre Dame split its first four games in conference play. He is coming off a game where he put up 18 points and nine rebounds against Georgia Tech.
Notre Dame has struggled on the road. The team is shooting 38.9 percent in true road games. However, their defense has been improved. They limited Georgia Tech to shooting just 33.3 percent which is the second time in three games they have done that. Notre Dame is hoping to carry that improved defense into their matchup against Duke as they aim to upset the Blue Devils at home.
