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7 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs Countdown to Craziness
Sunday, January 7
Charlottesville, VA
12 p.m.
Duke University
at
Virginia
Photo by: Nat LeDonne / Duke Athletics
Blue Devils Set to Battle Virginia in Sunday Matinee
1/6/2024 10:40:00 AM | Women's Basketball
THE OPENING TIP
BLOCK PARTY – EVERYONE'S INVITED
A BATTLE TESTED BUNCH – STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
HITTIN' FROM DISTANCE
SUPERLATIVE SPOTLIGHT
SERIES HISTORY
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils return to action following the bye week, taking on Georgia Tech on Sunday, Jan. 14 in the first of two straight home games. The action is set to tip off at 2 p.m., live on ACCNX.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWBB."
#GoDuke
- Duke caps a two-game road swing this weekend as the Blue Devils make the trek to the Old Dominion State for a battle at Virginia on Sunday, Jan. 7.
- The game tips off at noon live on The CW with Tom Werme and Kelley Deyo on the call.
- Sunday's matchup represents the 78th all-time meeting between Duke and Virginia, the Blue Devils holding a 42-35 record through the previous 77.
- The Blue Devils are 8-2 in their last 10 outings against the Cavaliers. Duke swept the 2022-23 season series by way of 70-56 and 56-52 victories, respectively.
- Duke has embarked on one of the nation's toughest schedules this season as the Blue Devils' SOS currently ranks ninth nationally and first among ACC institutions.
- The Blue Devils rank third nationally in blocks per game with an average of 7.1 rejections -- first in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of Jan. 4).
- Four Blue Devils average double figures in scoring -- Taina Mair (11.5), Reigan Richardson (11.0), Oluchi Okananwa (10.9), Ashlon Jackson (10.0).
- Duke has assists on more than 50 percent of its field goals (.519) with 201 dimes on 387 made buckets. Mair leads the team with 3.5 dimes per contest.
- 13 of Duke's 14 opponents have been held below their respective season scoring averages.
- Virginia ranks in the top 10 nationally in rebounds per game (ninth, 47.2) and offensive boards per game (10th, 16.9). Both marks rank second in the ACC.
BLOCK PARTY – EVERYONE'S INVITED
- The Blue Devils' length has proven to be a factor on the defensive end this season as the squad averages 7.1 blocks per game -- No. 3 in the NCAA and tops in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of Jan. 4).
- Duke has registered five or more blocks in 12 games this season, including a pair of ball games with double-digit swats -- Coastal Carolina (12) and NC Central (11) -- as well as a quartet of contests with eight or more rejections -- at Stanford, vs. South Carolina, vs. Florida Gulf Coast, vs. Boston College.
- Rookie Jadyn Donovan has denied 25 shots – third in the ACC -- and leads four Duke players with double-digit blocks on the year. She is joined by the upperclassmen forward duo of Camilla Emsbo (22) and Kennedy Brown (16) and classmate Delaney Thomas with 10.
- Emsbo checks in at No. 5 in the league both total rejections and blocks per game (1.57).
- The Blue Devils' blocks per game average (7.1) is the highest by a Duke squad since the 2004-05 season and would check in at No. 3 all-time in the Duke Team Single Season Records for highest blocked shot average if the 2023-24 slate ended today.
A BATTLE TESTED BUNCH – STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
- The Blue Devils have embarked on one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA this season.
- Duke's strength of schedule ranks among the top-10, checking in at No. 9 nationally -- tops in the ACC (NCAA rankings as of Jan. 4).
- Three of the teams the Blue Devils have played so far this season also boast a top-30 SOS -- Stanford (12th), Louisville (23rd), South Carolina (30th).
HITTIN' FROM DISTANCE
- Duke has knocked down 86 threes this season – an average of 6.1 per game. The Blue Devils are cashing in their triples at a .350 percent clip and have knocked down at least five threes in nine games, including seven with seven or more.
- Five Blue Devils have cashed in double-digit trifectas -- Ashlon Jackson (21), Reigan Richardson (16), Taina Mair (15), Emma Koabel (14), Oluchi Okananwa (13).
- Earlier this season Duke set a single-game record for most threes in a game, knocking down 14 against Coastal Carolina.
- Duke shot a season-best 57.1 percent from distance in the victory over Boston College (12.31.23) cashing in eight of 14 attempts.
- If the 2023-24 campaign ended today, Duke's 6.1 triples per game would rank third on the Duke single season charts for average three-pointers made. Duke averaged 7.25 in 2020-21, but only played four games.
SUPERLATIVE SPOTLIGHT
- Duke's reserves are providing a spark for the Blue Devils, boasting an average of 24.9 points per game. The Blue Devils have scored more bench points than their foes in 12 games, totaling 349 points while opponents have put up just 171.
- In six of the games, the Blue Devils have finished with a substantial margin in bench production -- 34-15 (Richmond), 24-6 (Coastal Carolina), 28-5 (at Stanford), 33-11 (NC Central, 22-12 (South Carolina), 28-4 (FGCU), 42-8 (Coppin State).
- Duke has had strong production on the offensive glass this season, tallying 13.0 offensive rebounds per game.
- The Blue Devils have parlayed those extra possessions into 165 second-chance points, 11 points better than their opponents (154). Duke has held the advantage in seven games, including sizeable margins against Richmond (18-5) and Coastal Carolina (20-2).
- On the fastbreak, the Blue Devils hold a 187-81 edge and have limited 11 opponents to fewer than eight points in transition. The lone teams to eclipse 10 points are South Carolina (12), Boston College (10) and Louisville (10).
- Duke has commanded the inside early in the season, outscoring its foes 490-372.
- The Blue Devils are plus eight in points in the paint compared to their opponents, 35.0 to 26.6, and have finished with double-digit margins in eight contests.
SERIES HISTORY
- Through 77 all-time meetings, Duke holds a 42-35 advantage in the series. The Blue Devils are 16-20 when playing at JPJ Arena.
- The Blue Devils have won two straight against Virginia and are 8-2 in their last 10 games against the Cavaliers.
- Duke won both matchups against Virginia during the 2022-23 season -- 70-56 in Durham (12.21.22) and 56-52 in Charlottesville (2.19.23).
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils return to action following the bye week, taking on Georgia Tech on Sunday, Jan. 14 in the first of two straight home games. The action is set to tip off at 2 p.m., live on ACCNX.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWBB."
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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