Duke started the game with a 15-2 run, added an 18-4 spurt early in the second half, and buried Miami in a 97-60 win on Tuesday night. Miami was playing its second consecutive game without Matthew Cleveland and had only eight scholarship players available against Duke.
Duke freshman Isaiah Evans scored 16 points in the first half on 5-6 from the field and on three-point attempts as the Blue Devils led 47-32 at halftime. Evans finished with 16 points on 5-10 from the field and 5-8 on three-point attempts. Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and six assists.
The unusual subtext for Duke and Miami on Tuesday night was the presence of Blue Devils assistant coach Jai Lucas after reports emerged over the weekend he will be hired as the next Hurricanes head coach. Lucas is the defensive coordinator for Duke and helps develop their backcourt.
Duke held Miami to 39.1 percent from the floor, 5-25 on three-point attempts, and had 10 steals and four blocked shots while forcing 20 turnovers. The Blue Devils shot 56.1 from the floor and made 15 of their 25 three-point attempts as the backcourt Lucas tutored completely outplayed Miami.
2nd ranked Duke in town to take on Miami and the man expected to be the Canes next head coach, Jai Lucas, on the court as a Duke assistant pre-game.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) February 25, 2025
(🎥 @Dukielang) pic.twitter.com/pyzCRDmB2u
Miami was led by Lynn Kidd with 17 points and freshman Jalil Bethea with 13 points as the only other Hurricane in double figures. Bethea scored 11 in the first half, before making one of his five shots and scoring two points in the second half. Duke emptied its bench late in the second half with 11 players receiving playing time.
The loss on Tuesday exceeded Miami's 89-54 loss at Duke last month. Miami suffered its 12th double-digit loss and fourth defeat of at least 20 and 30 points this season. After winning consecutive home games earlier this month, Miami dropped its second straight game at the Watsco Center and fourth in a row overall.
Miami completes its Tobacco Road doubleheader this week at North Carolina on Saturday. North Carolina is fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth at 18-11. Miami will finish its season with games on March 4 at Georgia Tech and versus North Carolina State on March 8.