Duke basketball is gearing up for a crucial showdown against Louisville. Coming off their victory against No. 2 Auburn, the ninth-ranked Blue Devils are now focused on turning the page and preparing for Sunday's ACC opener at the KFC Yum! Center. With a 15-9 edge in the series against the Cards, including five consecutive wins, Duke is looking to continue their dominance.

Duke Basketball's Quest for Consistency in the ACC

Louisville's 3-Point Shooting Dilemma Against Duke's Defense

Louisville finds itself struggling in 3-point shooting, ranking 340th with just a 27.3% success rate from long range. This poses a significant challenge as they face a Duke team that leads in defensive efficiency. In previous losses to Kentucky and Kansas, those teams combined for an impressive 18 three-pointers on 43.5% shooting. It will be crucial for Louisville to find their shooting touch and break through Duke's tough defense. 2: The Cardinals need to identify their shooters and get them in rhythm. Terrence Edwards Jr., who shot 35% from 3-point range last season, has started the year poorly, hitting only 20% of his attempts through eight games. If Louisville wants to pull off an upset, Edwards and his teammates must step up and make those crucial shots from beyond the arc.

4 Observations After Duke's Tough 4-Game Stretch

James Madison transfer Terrence Edwards Jr. has had a rocky start at Louisville. His shooting percentage from 3-point range has been below par, and he needs to find his form quickly. Duke, on the other hand, has been more consistent, with players like Tyrese Proctor leading the way. Proctor scored a career-high 24 points against Louisville last season and has been a key contributor this year, knocking down 46.3% of his 3-pointers and playing strong defense. 2: The Blue Devils' tough 4-game stretch has tested their mettle, but they have come out stronger. Their ability to adapt and perform in different situations will be crucial as they face Louisville. Caleb Foster, who started against Auburn but has also been effective coming off the bench, provides another dimension to Duke's offense. Whether he's starting or coming off the bench, Foster is a key piece for the team.

Duke Basketball's Tyrese Proctor and Louisville's Chucky Hepburn

Tyrese Proctor, a Duke junior guard, has been a consistent performer this season. His ability to score from 3-point range and defend at a high level makes him a valuable asset. He will likely be matched up against Chucky Hepburn, a Wisconsin transfer who has become the Cardinals' leader. Hepburn is averaging 15.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 3 steals per game and is third nationally in steals with 28 through eight games. 2: The matchup between Proctor and Hepburn will be a key battle on the court. Both players bring different skills and styles to the game, and it will be interesting to see how they perform against each other. Duke's defense will need to be on top of their game to limit Hepburn's impact, while Proctor will look to use his scoring ability to give Duke the edge.

Duke vs Louisville Score Prediction

Duke 84, Louisville 68: Pat Kelsey has brought a new energy to Louisville, but the Cardinals have been hit hard by injuries lately. Duke, on the other hand, is in good form and will look to continue their upward trend with a dominant defensive performance in Kentucky. The Blue Devils' depth and experience will give them an edge, and they should be able to pull away in the second half.