No. 4 Duke learning about itself ahead of clash vs. No. 10 Florida

No. 4 Duke has been in several notable matchups in the first month of the season.It turns out that the Blue Devils were just getting warmed up in terms of high-profile opposition.No. 10 Florida, the reigning national champion, will visit Duke on Tuesday night in Durham, N.C., in a high-profile ACC/SEC Challenge matchup.”We’re learning something every game,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “And no matter what we’re learning each game, it’s going to be a little bit different. It has been different. How we close, what lineups we go with, how we fall into a rhythm.”Florida (5-2) split two games last week in San Diego, falling to Texas Christian before winning against Providence. The Gators’ other loss came in the season opener to Arizona in Las Vegas.Duke (8-0) has defeated Texas, Kansas and Arkansas on neutral courts. After this home game, the Blue Devils finish the week at Michigan State.The Arkansas game came on Thanksgiving night and included particular challenges. Duke trailed by seven points in the second half.”I thought that was a key moment for our team, just to learn how to win some games like that,” Scheyer said. “That was the first time being put in that situation.”While Cameron Boozer has been a headliner for Duke, the Blue Devils are receiving key contributions from others. Guard Caleb Foster had clutch moments against Arkansas and had 15 points and eight assists.”This is part of what college basketball is all about,” Scheyer said. “We’ve been on a journey together. He’s hung tough. He’s always wanted me to be honest with him, and he really came through in a big way.”Nikolas Khamenia, a Duke freshman, also has been in Boozer’s shadow. He has been on the court in some notable situations.”I’m really proud of him because he’s all about the right stuff,” Scheyer said. “His scoring is going to come too. But I think he showed how he can really impact winning (in the Arkansas game).”

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