Next Up - Cal

As the Blue Devils head back to the Garden

Duke plays Cal in the 2K Empire Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project on Thursday and it’s very hard to know what to expect. Last year the Bears were just 8-23 in a very weak PAC-12.

Mark Fox was brought in to clean things up and two of the three leading scorers transferred.

Good news: despite all of that, Cal is 4-0.

Bad news: Cal nearly lost to Prairie View, normally one of the worst teams in college basketball (however they won the SWAC last season).

Cal had 22 turnovers in that game.

Matt Bradley is the most productive player so far with 20 ppg. Kareem South is averaging 11.3 and Grant Anticevich 11. Bradley is a sophomore, South is a senior and Anticevich a junior.

Like Duke’s Jack White, Anticevich is from Australia but they grew up about 500-600 miles from each other.

Could Cal win? Of course they could. It’s just unlikely, not impossible.

For one, we’re pretty sure they haven’t seen a defense like Duke’s yet.

We’re not sure who Tre Jones will guard but there are plenty of guys to pressure Cal’s back court. Duke is still sorting out the rotation but Cassius Stanley seems to be solidifying his spot in the backcourt and unlike a lot of freshmen, he’s working hard on D. With Jordan Goldwire off the bench, Duke’s backcourt pressure may be as good as any in the country.

Vernon Carey is improving inside and is becoming a significant force. Javin DeLaurier and Jack White are mature guys who understand what needs to be done.

Duke is still working out roles and responsibilities but defense is the driving force on this team. Tre Jones is inspiring his teammates to do the same.

At its best, Duke can completely suffocate an opponent. We’re not saying that will happen on Thursday but it’s a possibility.

And if it does, then the Blue Devils will see the winner of Georgetown-Texas.