Duke Struggles in Season Opener Against Baylor
The Blue Devils, under Carla Lawson’s leadership, had a tough time finding their rhythm in Paris.
In a disappointing 58-52 defeat against No. 16 Baylor, No. 7 Duke managed only a 29 percent shooting rate overall, including just 21 percent from beyond the arc. They also turned the ball over 15 times, and Baylor outscored them 15-9 in the final quarter.
That’s certainly not a winning formula. Lawson’s teams are known for their strong defense, disrupting opponents’ strategies. While they did achieve 20 combined blocks and steals, scoring remains crucial in the game.
Historically, during her four seasons coaching the Blue Devils, Lawson’s squads have gone just 6-22 in games where they shot below 36 percent from the field. In contrast, they’ve thrived with a 32-1 record when shooting over 50 percent. Simply put, even with robust defensive stats, the offense is key for Duke’s success.
The standout performer against Baylor was Toby Fournier, the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year, who made a splash in his first collegiate start by scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
In a challenging situation, Lawson had only seven players available for the match against Baylor’s Nikki Collen. Two key players, freshman Emily Skinner and redshirt freshman Ariana Roberson, were sidelined. Both were highly regarded, with Skinner ranked as the fourth-best prospect by ESPN.
Lawson had mentioned Roberson’s potential earlier, calling her the most athletic center she’s coached. “We haven’t seen this kind of athleticism,” Lawson remarked, hopeful for Roberson to impact both defensively and offensively. Unfortunately, Roberson missed last season due to a knee injury and was expected to contribute this year. The ESPN broadcast clarified injuries prevented both her and Skinner from playing but didn’t dive into specifics.
Skinner, touted as perhaps Lawson’s most talented point guard yet, also brings experience, having played for Team USA’s U19 squad last summer. She chose Duke over programs like Iowa and UCLA.
Lawson praised Skinner for her all-around skills: scoring, passing, defense, and rebounding. “She has a high basketball IQ and makes quick decisions,” Lawson noted, indicating that Skinner could be a pivotal player for the Blue Devils this season.
If Duke’s opening game against Baylor is any indication, the team might need Skinner’s offensive skills and Roberson’s presence inside more than they had anticipated. Their contributions could be significant in the team’s future matches.
It’s unclear when either player will return. Lawson did not address their statuses in the postgame press conference, leaving uncertainty in the air.
Duke will next play at home on Sunday against Holy Cross, who recently secured a close win against Boston College. Given last season’s success, including an ACC Tournament victory and reaching the Elite Eight, and with preseason expectations high, Duke will need to significantly improve its offensive performance if they aim to defend their conference title.
