Duke Navigates Roster Challenges Ahead of Florida State Matchup

No. 2 Duke has been rolling through ACC play, winning five straight games by an average of 31 points. However, as the Blue Devils prepare to host Florida State on Saturday night in Durham, they face a new challenge—adjusting to injuries at a crucial point in the season.

Duke Faces Key Injuries

The Blue Devils (25-3, 16-1 ACC) have dominated the competition, recording eight conference victories by at least 25 points, a first in ACC history. But as they look to extend their streak, injuries have shaken up the lineup.

Junior guard Tyrese Proctor left Tuesday’s 97-60 win over Miami with a knee injury and is out indefinitely, though the team does not expect it to be season-ending. Duke is already without reserve post player Maliq Brown, further testing their depth.

With Proctor unavailable, freshman Isaiah Evans is likely to take on a bigger role. Evans has surged in recent games, averaging 16.7 points and shooting 13-for-19 from three-point range over his last three outings. He stepped up immediately against Miami, hitting five first-half three-pointers and providing strong defensive play.

Head coach Jon Scheyer has been impressed with Evans’ all-around impact.

“Isaiah has established himself with what he has done,” Scheyer said. “It’s easy to talk about the shooting. His defense has been off the charts. He’s guarding the ball as well as anybody.”

Florida State Struggles to Find Consistency

Florida State (16-12, 7-10 ACC) enters this game on a two-game losing streak and has struggled defensively, allowing 89 and 96 points in its last two games. The Seminoles have only two road wins all season, making this a tough matchup against a Duke team that has been dominant at home.

Jamir Watkins has been Florida State’s go-to scorer, leading the team in points in six of the last seven games. The redshirt senior is averaging 18.4 points per game, including a career-high 26 points against North Carolina on Monday.

Another emerging contributor is Jerry Deng, who scored a season-best 16 points in the loss to UNC, knocking down four three-pointers. Head coach Leonard Hamilton believes Deng’s development is a bright spot for the team.

“Every time he plays, he gets better,” Hamilton said. “When you think about it, he should still be in high school for his senior year. But he came out a year early. He has made tremendous progress.”

Key Factors to Watch

• Duke’s Adjustments Without Proctor – How will the Blue Devils adapt to his absence, and can Isaiah Evans continue his hot streak?
• Florida State’s Defensive Struggles – The Seminoles have given up back-to-back high-scoring games. Can they slow down Duke’s high-powered offense?
• Jamir Watkins’ Offensive Impact – Watkins has carried Florida State’s offense lately. Can he put together another big performance?
• Duke’s Killer Instinct – Scheyer has praised his team’s focus despite their dominance. Will they maintain that edge against an inconsistent Florida State squad?

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Final Thoughts

Duke has been one of the most dominant teams in college basketball, and even with roster adjustments, the Blue Devils remain heavy favorites against Florida State. Isaiah Evans will be a key player to watch, as he takes on a bigger role in Proctor’s absence.

For Florida State, pulling off an upset will require a major defensive improvement and a big performance from Jamir Watkins. However, given Duke’s current form and home-court advantage, the Seminoles face an uphill battle.

Will Duke continue its dominant run, or can Florida State make this a competitive game? The answer comes Saturday night in Durham.