It wasn't a very pretty game to watch, even if you were a Duke fan, but still the Blue Devils managed to win by 18 points. Andre Dawkins for the second straight game shot lights out, scoring 21 points on 7 of 12 shooting from three point range all in the firs half as the Blue Devils moved to 16-2 (4-0 ACC) on the season with the 91-73 win.
Dawkins first-half shooting set the tone for Duke, but this game wasn't pretty and a better Blue Devil team could have beaten the overmatched Demon Deacon by 40. But this Blue Devil team still can't seem to figure things out on the defensive end.
Duke allowed Wake to score 73 points when they only averaged about 67 points coming into the game. They at times were awful in help defense and were beaten badly.
I'm certain that Mike Krzyzewski won't be happy with the defense in this game when he reviews the tape and sees the glaring issues that his team has to deal with.
The Deacons got most of their points in the paint and from the foul line. Wake actually shot 12 more free throws and made eight more than did Duke.
So despite the margin of victory, and the fact that victory was never in doubt, it isn't all that comforting to see the Blue Devils struggle in some crucial areas against one of, if not the ACC's worst team.
The shooting of Dawkins was a bright spot as was Ryan Kelly who scored 20 points. Austin Rivers also scored 20 points, but had no assists and two turnovers.
Also it wasn't a banner night for the brothers Plumlee as Miles and Mason did well on the boards, but only managed eight points between them. Duke has got to get consistent production from the Plumlees especially against teams that lack a dominant post player.
Duke is in sole possession of first place but they still have a lot of work to do before they are a completed project and Wake should have been a game to see a glimpse of that, but it really wasn't.
The Blue Devils just didn't seem crisp and at times were flat. The effort was certainly there, but it wasn't sharp, and that is something that will need to be different when Florida State comes to Cameron on Saturday.
But a win is a win, and in the ACC if Duke is going to make a run at a title, they'll take the wins anyway they can get them.
Despite an inability to guard Andre Dawkins at all in the first half, Wake showed heart and effort, but it is clear they aren't anywhere near the upper echelon of the ACC. And for that reason, Duke only beating them by 18 points may be a reason for concern.
And the way this season has gone so far, the Wake Forest game may be the last game Duke fans can watch with any level of comfort for quite some time.
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