It may be too early to panic if you are Duke fan, however, the Blue Devils are falling behind if they still want to win the ACC Regular Season title.
Duke dropped its second ACC road game in a row this one to Clemson 72-59 and the Blue Devils fall to 12-4 (1-2 ACC) and are at serious risk of dropping out of the Top 25 for the first time in recent memory.
The Blue Devils came out in the first half and played well, shooting the ball and at times even playing solid defense, but like so many other games this season they were completely unable to get stops consistently and build on a lead, going into the half with only a six point advantage.
In the second half the wheels completely fell off as Clemson lead by K.J. McDaniel and Jaron Blossomgame shot the Tigers back into the game. McDaniel and Rod Hall attacked the Duke defense and the basket and helped Clemson close the gap and Blossomgame hit a couple big three point shots to put Clemson on top with about 9 minutes left in the game. The Tigers would never trail again.
Duke looked like they might come out and put Clemson away, especially when it appeared that Jabari Parker (15 points) had broke out of his recent shooting funk early in the game. Rodney Hood (20 points) and Quinn Cook both played exceptional in stretches, however, the Blue Devils continued to play inconsistent, disjointed basketball.
Much like a week ago in Duke’s loss to Notre Dame on the road, Duke counted on two players who scored in double figures but had no other person step up.
The Blue Devils were beaten on the boards again, 48 to 30 and despite the discrepancy Marshall Plumlee, who has played modestly well in stretches never got up off the bench.
Duke continues to perplex just about everyone who had projected them as one of the top teams in the ACC and the country coming into this season. They have continued to show an inability to play consistently offensively, effectively defensively and they have often looked as if they have no fight left by the end of a close game.
There is still plenty of time for Duke to right the ship, however, you have to wonder given the consistency of the inconsistencies in this team if they will ever turn the corner. ACC play won’t get any easier and unless some changes are made the only thing that may be consistent about this team is how inconsistent they can be.
