Duke Blue Devils vs Virginia Tech Hokies Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

No. 4 Duke Streaks into ACC Home Opener vs. Virginia Tech

Riding a six-game winning streak and showing significant offensive improvement, No. 4 Duke looks to continue its momentum as it hosts Virginia Tech in its Atlantic Coast Conference home opener on Tuesday in Durham, N.C.

Duke’s Offensive Evolution

Duke (10-2, 2-0 ACC) comes into the matchup fresh off an 82-56 victory over Georgia Tech on Dec. 21, where the Blue Devils recorded a season-high 56.4 percent shooting from the field. Head coach Jon Scheyer sees his team’s offensive chemistry improving with time and effort.

“I think our offense is coming along,” Scheyer said. “We’re finding each other’s strengths and understanding how to play together. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time.”

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Duke’s offensive schemes rely heavily on pick-and-roll plays, which have started to click as players adapt. Freshman Kon Knueppel, in particular, has thrived in these setups and is breaking out of a shooting slump.

“It was definitely the worst slump of my life,” Knueppel said after leading Duke with 18 points and four 3-pointers against Georgia Tech. “But I was trying to find ways to affect the game in other ways.”

Knueppel’s resurgence comes at a crucial time as the Blue Devils aim to maintain their offensive rhythm. Meanwhile, standout freshman Cooper Flagg has earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors four times, further bolstering Duke’s lineup with his consistent contributions.

Virginia Tech’s Challenges

Virginia Tech (5-7, 0-1 ACC) has struggled since opening the season with three straight wins, posting a 2-7 record over its last nine games. The Hokies are coming off an 82-62 loss to Saint Joseph’s on Dec. 21 at the Palestra in Philadelphia.

Guard Jaden Schutt will face a familiar environment when he takes the floor at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Schutt spent two seasons at Duke before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he’s averaging 9.3 points in 28.8 minutes per game as a starter.

“I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be in Blacksburg,” Schutt wrote about his transfer. “I’m just thankful Virginia Tech felt the same way.”

The Hokies will need a strong start to compete with a surging Duke team. Head coach Mike Young emphasized the importance of establishing an early tone in high-profile venues.

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“It’s a big deal, starting the game in those first four minutes, setting your tone,” Young said.

What to Watch

Duke’s ability to sustain its offensive flow against Virginia Tech’s defense will be key, as the Hokies look to regroup and end their skid. With Knueppel finding his rhythm and Flagg continuing to dominate, the Blue Devils appear poised to keep rolling in ACC play. For Virginia Tech, containing Duke’s balanced attack and finding consistent scoring will be critical in what promises to be a challenging road test.