The Devil's Den: A Duke Athletics Podcast · The Devils Den Podcast, Duke, Duke basketball, Duke athletics, Duke Blue Devils

Episode 354 - Clemson Reaction and Syracuse Preview

·43 min·4 clips

Why did Cooper Flagg and Tyrese Proctor choose to watch Duke beat Clemson on Valentine's Day?

Host Josh Smith and co-hosts Raul and Shu analyze Duke's 67-54 victory over Clemson and preview the upcoming game against Syracuse. The hosts are dedicated Duke Athletics commentators providing fan-focused analysis. They open by noting the win came on a Valentine's Day weekend with a noon tip-off time. Former Duke players Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor, and Dereck Lively II attended the game, which the hosts interpret as a sign of a genuine program "brotherhood." Clemson's 54 points marked their lowest offensive output in three seasons, and Duke's defense held them to 10 points below their previous season low. The hosts detail how Clemson's defensive strategy involved collapsing multiple defenders on star forward Cam Boozer, limiting his foul-drawn attempts and forcing Duke to attempt 29 three-pointers. Guard Isaiah Evans is highlighted for his improved scoring, making nine three-pointers across the last two games. The hosts discuss guard Caden Filipowski's positive impact off the bench, particularly his effectiveness in pick-and-roll actions and a memorable play where he scored on a floater after a prolonged possession. They examine center Pat Gongba's return from a brief injury scare, noting he played 19 minutes but picked up two early fouls, including one they considered a questionable call. Duke's defense is ranked second nationally, and the hosts list several recent games where opponents were held under 60 points. Forward "Slim" is praised as perhaps the team's second-most important player, boasting the team's best net rating in ACC play due to significant offensive and defensive impacts. The hosts note Duke's three-point shooting ranks 13th in the ACC, making Evans's hot streak and Slim's consistency from deep particularly valuable. They credit coach Jon Scheyer for crafting a top defense with a roster that doesn't inherently appear elite on that end, comparing him to top defensive coaches like Kelvin Sampson. The conversation shifts to Syracuse, noting they have won two straight but are inconsistent, ranking near the bottom nationally in free-throw percentage and relying on isolation offense. The hosts caution that the quick turnaround and a looming marquee game against Michigan could make Syracuse a potential trap game. The tone is conversational, analytical, and deeply invested in Duke's performance and roster dynamics. This episode is ideal for Duke basketball fans seeking detailed, post-game breakdowns and tactical previews. Listeners with no interest in Duke or ACC basketball will find little relevance.

As heard by us

A Duke postgame that turns a controlled win into a clean defensive read.

The Duke-Clemson reaction treats the game as one Duke had in hand early in the second half, but the real pull is the defense and the familiar faces back in the building.

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Why you'd press play

If you want the Clemson win broken down like a real fan-room conversation, start here.

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