Preview: Duke Blue Devils
https://goduke.com/sports/womens-basketball
January 18 Update: Duke is 14-4 overall and AP ranked #16, with a #9 Net ranking. They have a 5-1 conference record. They are coming off a dominating 72-38 home win over #18 ranked Cal. This is a big, authentic team that will be tough to beat by anyone, especially at home.
They can dominate a team as the Cal game showed, and they can play down to their opponent's level as their close 60-55 road win over Virginia or 56-65 loss to South Florida, again on the road.
For Stanford to compete it will take our best game and a poor shooting game by Duke. Duke features very balanced scoring with three top scorers, #35 Fournier, #3 Jackson and #24 Richardson averaging between 11.8 and 12.8 ppg.
Last Season: 22-12 and 11-7 in league play
The Coaches:
Kara Lawson now in her 5th season at Duke. Lawson of course was a famous player College and Pro.
Tia Jackson is the Associate Head Coach and in her 5th season at Duke.
Kyra Elzy is in her first season after 4 years as the Head Coach at Kentucky.
Karen Lange is in her third season at Duke.
Karen Middleton the former Stanford Assistant is in her 2nd season at Duke.
Pierre Miller is in his 2nd season at Duke.
Losses:
Kennedy Brown the former Oregon State player who averaged 8 ppg and 5 rebounds.
Camilla Emsbo who averaged 4 ppg.
Additions:
Riley Nelson 6-2 Soph Wing transfer from Maryland. Nelson missed half the season last year, however was a McD All American ranked # 18 out of HS.
Arianna Roberson, 6-4 Frosh Post from Texas ranked # 17. Sadly Roberson will miss the season with an injury.
Toby Fournier 6-2 Frosh Forward from Canada ranked # 10.
Jenessa Cotton 6-2 Frosh Forward from SoCal ranked # 80.
Schedule:
Maryland, Kansas State and South Carolina highlight the Duke Schedule.
The Team:
Reigan Richardson 5-11 SR Guard who averaged 12 ppg.
Ashlon Jackson 6-0 JR Guard started every game and averaged 9 ppg.
Jadyn Donovan 6-0 Soph Wing who started all except one game and averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds.
Oluchi Okananwa 5-10 Soph Guard averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds and was named the ADD 6th person of the year.
Taina Mair 5-9 JR Guard who averaged 9 ppg a transfer from Boston College
Delaney Thomas 6-3 Soph Forward averaged 5 ppg and 3 rebounds.
Vanessa de Jesus 5-8 PG Grad Student who missed last season with injuries.
Jordan Wood 6-4 Soph Post who played in about half the games.
Emma Koabel 5-11 JR Guard who averaged 12 minutes per game.
Louann Battiston, 5-5 Soph Guard who played little last season.
Prediction:
Four players back who averaged 9 ppg or better plus de Jesus who was injured last season, - and they have more solid depth. Duke should improve over last season and be one of the top ACC teams.
2025 Recruiting: None yet.
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