14 Duke @ Wake Forest: Player Ratings and Recap

I'm finally back after an extended break (vacation and then holiday). However, I am ready to get back to the college basketball season. I have some old content from Syracuse's first three ACC games as well, but I've been too depressed to publish it. Instead, we're starting with an old school ACC contest between Duke, who've slipped out of the top ten, and Wake Forest, who's one of my sleeper teams in the conference. You can expect more consistent content from this point moving forward. Enjoy.

14 Duke 91 @ Wake Forest 75

Duke Blue Devils

C Marshall Plumlee: 8.5

Marshall Plumlee struggled guarding Devin Thomas, as every Blue Devil did. Thomas consistently received the ball outside the paint, and drove in on his own, showing off a multitude of moves, proving to be too agile and skilled for Plumlee. However, Plumlee was an enforcer when Thomas was out of the game, and had a pair of blocks. He also had his best game on the offensive end. Plumlee was the recipient of many dump off passes, following a drive by Grayson Allen or another one of Duke's guards. Plumlee positioned himself deep on the baseline, on the short corner, almost completely out of play, and Wake often failed to pick him—especially when Devin Thomas was on the bench. Plumlee was seven of seven from the field, and also made all four of his free throw attempts. He finished the game with 18 points, and 7 rebounds.

F Brandon Ingram: 8

Brandon Ingram did a great job assertive himself on the offensive end in the first half. He hit a couple 3's, and got to the basket easily. Wake Forest had trouble finding someone capable of guarding him. Ingram slowed down in the second half, and had trouble finishing off the dribble; at that point in the game he had Codi Miller-McIntyre guarding him, who did a nice job of staying in front of him. Ingram finished the game 5-13, making two of five shots from beyond the arc, and making five of six shots from the free throw line. Ingram also had five rebounds, and three assists. Ingram's length and size are great on the defensive end, especially in Duke's system. He had three steals and four blocks this game.

G Matt Jones: 3

Matt Jones had his worst game of the season against Wake Forest. He's been averaging 14 points per game this season, but managed just two points, while shooting 1-8, and missing all six of his three point attempts. He also got into foul trouble quickly (finishing with four), and missed significant time sitting on the bench.

G Grayson Allen: 9

Allen was electric on offense. He shot three for four from 3pt range, and had even more success driving to the basket. He finished the game 7-10, and seven of eight from the free throw line. He scored 24 points. Allen also played pretty good defense—the best defense I've seen him play this year—containing Mitchell Wilbekin.

G Derryck Thornton: 6

Thornton is blessed by being the point guard on a team that doesn't always need a point guard. Luke Kennard or Grayson Allen are just as likely to run the offense, so there is little pressure on Thornton. Thornton doesn't make the same impact on the game as either of the aforementioned guards. Thornton shot 3-9, making his only three pointer. He scored seven points, and also had three rebounds, and two assists.

G Luke Kennard: 9

Luke Kennard had a great game. He is averaging just 23 minutes/game, but played 32 against Wake due to Matt Jones' injury woes. He made the most of the opportunity, shooting 7-11 from the field, and making all nine of his free throw attempts, scoring 23 points (one short of his season and career high). Kennard is not a great three point shooter. He is just 28.8% from that range this season, and was just 0-1 in this game, but was great from anywhere inside the arc. He is surprisingly good off the dribble, pulling up, and taking the ball to the basket. This was a very impressive performance.

F Chase Jeter: N/A

Jeter didn't make an impact on the floor, and did not play enough to qualify.

C Sean Obi: N/A

It's telling that Obi even had come in late in the second half. He didn't fare better than anyone else guarding Devin Thomas.

Team Rating: 6.9

This was a great game for the Blue Devils. Wake Forest is a good opponent (they'll be a dangerous team against anyone in the ACC this year), and Duke was on the road. Duke put on an impressive shooting display. They finished shooting 51.7% from the field, 35.3% from three, and were 25-27 from the free throw line—92.6%. Duke can score with anyone in the country, and this game they were firing on almost every cylinder. Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard make a dangerous backcourt combo, both of whom are capable of making jump shots, and driving to the basket. The Blue Devils did struggle with their interior defense against Devin Thomas. They also allowed 19 offensive rebounds. However, Devin Thomas is the best offensive big man in the conference, and Duke was once again missing Amile Jefferson.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

F Devin Thomas: 9

I'm very torn on this rating. Devin Thomas' technical foul, and subsequent foul trouble, and time on the bench ending this game for the Demon Deacons, but they never would have been in this game without Thomas either. So, although Devin Thomas made a boneheaded move getting a technical, which turned into a six point swing for Duke, and gave Thomas is third foul, he gets a big rating here.Thomas is the best big man, offensively, in the conference. He scores in a variety of ways. Wake Forest did an excellent job of giving Thomas the ball outside of the paint in this game, and allowing him to work his way in against Duke. Thomas has surprising athletic ability and quickness, and is extremely skilled, and was able to score on Duke in a variety of ways. Thomas even carried he ball up the court, and cut through Duke's defense to score at the rim. Thomas shot 9-11, and scored a team high 21 points. He also showed off his ability to pass the ball, and keep Duke's defense honest. He had three assists. Thomas unfortunately got himself into foul trouble. Early in the second half he fouled Plumlee, and picked up a technical foul in the aftermath. This gave him his third foul, and he was forced to sit. Later he picked up a fourth foul upon being brought back in. Danny Manning then sat him until there was less than four minutes to go, and at that point, the game was already over (Duke was up by more than ten).

F Konstantinos Mitoglou: 5

Mitoglou started the game hot, making a couple of shots early, but was inactive the rest of the game. He struggled defensively against Ingram, and taken out in favor of a more athletic wing player to guard the freshman. Mitoglou reentered the game when Thomas got into foul trouble, but he was badly abused by Marshall Plumlee.

G Bryant Crawford: 3

Crawford is enjoying a good freshman campaign. He is averaging 13 points per game. However, he was completely ineffective against Duke. He was 0-6 from the field, and could never get anything going. He also turned the ball over three times.

G Mitchell Wilbekin: 3

Wilbekin was a player I thought would emerge into a solid third scorer for Wake Forest this year. However, he has not improved the way I thought he would, and is averaging less than eight points per game. He scored 0 points against Duke, shooting 0-5 all from beyond the arc. He also struggled defensively against both Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard at times.

G Codi Miller-McIntyre: 8

Codi Miller-McIntyre has struggled this season after missing the first eight games with injury. Prior to this game, CMM had surpassed four points in just one game. He found his grove against Duke though. CMM was Wake's only spark plug when Thomas was out of the game, and he proved effective driving to the basket, and getting second chance points. CMM finished the game 9-19 from the field, and scored 20 points. He also had seven rebounds, and three assists. CMM also played surprisingly effective defense against Ingram in the second half. Miller-McIntyre's performance was a positive sign for Wake moving forward, they need him to be at his best (and his best is really good!) if they want to challenge for an NCAA tournament berth.

F John Collins: 7

Collins has some really nice tools. He can score inside, although his post skills still require development, and he is a really good rebounder, and shot blocker. However, he has a lot to learn on the defensive end. Collins finished the game with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. I really like what I'm seeing from him though as the heir to Devin Thomas' position next season.

G Cornelius Hudson: 7

Cornelius Hudson is a pretty inconsistent outside shooter, but he made his shots this game. He was 4-8 from the field, and 3-6 from outside, scoring 12 points. He was also a better matchup defensively for Duke's wings than Crawford and Wilbekin.

G Rondale Watson: 5.5

Rondale Watson played almost half the game, but did not make much of an impact. He did make a 3pt shot, and finish with three rebounds, and three assists.

Team Rating: 6.35

Wake Forest played Duke very tough until the final five minutes of the game. Devin Thomas is a dominant offensive player, and the Demon Deacons finally saw Codi Miller-McIntyre hit his stride, which is extremely encouraging. The team also has to be pleased with the way John Collins and Cornelius Hudson are playing off the bench. However, Wake is lacking a perimeter threat, especially in this game. Wilbekin, Mitoglou, and Crawford need to step up, and play more consistently, they all disappeared in this game. Overall, I like what I have seen from Wake Forest though, and think they could compete for a NCAA tournament berth this season. I'm looking forward to see them play against a team like Pittsburgh.