Duke vs. Florida Gulf Coast

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham

TV/Radio: ESPNU/ WKIX-102.9 FM

Projected starting lineups:

Jamison Crowder can't pull in a Sean Renfree pass in the fourth quarter of Duke's loss at Georgia Tech. Credit: DAVID GOLDMAN/AP

ATLANTA—Up until Saturday, Duke had managed to avoid getting sunk by a fluke play.

Against Wake Forest, the Blue Devils managed to overcome a hit that knocked quarterback Sean Renfree out of the game and resulted in an interception by a defensive end deep in Duke’s territory. In the North Carolina game, the Blue Devils pulled out the win despite a fumble that eluded Ross Cockrell’s grasp and wound up in the hands of Gio Bernard and then in the end zone.

Georgia Tech caught a lucky bounce of its own against Duke in the third quarter when facing third-and-7. Tevin Washington’s pass was knocked out of intended receiver Chris Jackson's hands as Ross Cockrell hit him. The pass, though, ended up in the arms of left tackle Ray Beno, who had been trying to block Kenny Anunike. Beno was able to hold onto the ball and run nine yards for the first down.

It was the first reception of the lineman’s career.

Updated 8:36 p.m.

ATLANTA—After a first half in which neither team could get a defensive stop, Duke appeared to have one on the opening drive of the third quarter.

If Duke's Walt Canty could intercept a pass against Georgia Tech, that stolen possession could prove huge. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Duke (6-4, 3-3 in the ACC) at Georgia Tech (5-5, 4-3 in the ACC)

When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta

Line: Georgia Tech by 13.5

TV/radio: ESPNU/ WDNC-620 AM, WKIX-102.9 FM

What’s at stake: The ACC Coastal Division

What they’re saying nationally about the matchup:

Juwan Thompson will be back on the field for Duke at Georgia Tech. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—Coming off its open date, Duke was able to get a few players healthy. Most notable absences from this list are DE Kenny Anunike, who, according to head coach David Cutcliffe, is as healthy as he has been all season, and RB Juwan Thompson. 

The secondary still remains thin, with Brandon Braxton out for the third consecutive game after injuring himself in practice. He also missed the Virginia game earlier this season. 

PROBABLE

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski thought Seth Curry was the difference-maker for Duke in its win over Kentucky. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

ATLANTA—It was a matchup with March Madness-level intensity. And here's a fittingly in-depth analysis from yours truly: 

First: the game story from No. 9 Duke's 75-68 win over No. 3 Kentucky and the full story behind John Calipari's comments on Duke flopping at halftime.

***Duke needs all three of its seniors to be successful.

The trio of Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Seth Curry is greater than the sum of its individual parts. That’s not to say that, as individuals, they’re not good, but the three of them clicking on the court will be necessary for future Duke success.

Kentucky coach John Calipari offered a critique of Duke's defense in a halftime interview. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

ATLANTA—Kentucky head coach John Calipari didn't mince words when asked for his thoughts in a halftime television interview.

"They're flopping all over the place," Calipari said of Duke's defense. "In the NBA, they'd all be suspended."

When Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski was told of Calipari's comments after the game, he gave a tongue-and-cheek response the drew a few chuckles from the media assembled at the press conference. 

ATLANTA—Normally, a team playing without its best player against the No. 3 team in the country would be a disaster.

Before David Cutcliffe resurrected Duke, he helped resurrect the career of Peyton Manning. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—In between his coaching duties to the only team that controls its own destiny in the ACC Coastal Division, Duke head coach David Cutcliffe keeps in touch with his former players and friends. Monday night, he spent 50 minutes on the phone with perhaps his most famous former tutee: Peyton Manning.

Manning was back in North Carolina for a game against the Panthers Sunday, and it was the first time he had come back to the state after spending the winter rehabbing  with Cutcliffe at Duke. Manning picked apart the Panthers defense, going 27-of-38 for 301 yards and a touchdown in the Denver Broncos’ 36-14 win.

Cutcliffe, who was Manning’s quarterback coach at Tennessee, said Manning was emotional about his return to the Tar Heel State, and the two reminisced about reuniting last winter.

Duke needs length on the floor against Kentucky, so expect to see more of Amile Jefferson or Alex Murphy. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Duke vs. Kentucky
When:  9:30 p.m.

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

TV/radio: ESPN/ WKIX-102.9 FM

One-sentence summary that links to longer explanation: Experience meets youth. 

Projected starting lineups