Duke men's basketball, showing signs of shedding team's 'tough time,' breezes on by Syracuse

Mike Krzyzewski isn't ready to say his team is back to top form, but if Saturday's 79-59 win over Syracuse is any indication, Duke may finally be in the cusp of reaching its enormous potential.

Krzyzewski lamented the frustrating month that preceded Saturday's blowout victory, in which the No. 6 Blue Devils were beset by COVID-19 cancelations, late-game flubs, and an injury to starting guard Trevor Keels. But Saturday felt like old times.

With Keels sidelined with a leg injury, the Blue Devils still set a season high with 25 assists and 14 3-pointers and had five players in double digits in scoring, en route to the biggest blowout in their history against Syracuse.

«It's been a tough time since Christmas,» said Krzyzewski, whose team saw games against Clemson and Notre Dame postponed earlier this month before losing late to both Miami and Florida State. «They're hanging in there, and they're getting better. For a few minutes in the second half today, I thought it was the best we played.»

Just a few minutes? Kryzewski insists Duke hasn't entirely recaptured the magic that led to November wins over Kentucky and Gonzaga, but the dominance on the court at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday told a different story.

Jeremy Roach started in place of Keels and racked up nine assists, while Wendell Moore finished with 15 points and eight assists. The pair blanketed Syracuse's top shooters — Buddy Boeheim and Joe Girard — who finished a combined 2-of-19 from 3-point range.

Meanwhile, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said his team's No. 1 priority was to shut down forward A.J. Griffin, but that plan fizzed from the opening tip, with Griffin making two quick buckets. As the Orange defense reeled in the paint, Duke added salt to the wound