One of just four undefeated teams in the nation, Duke will play its first true road game of the season Thursday night as it visits struggling Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina State at the RBC Center.
The fifth-ranked Blue Devils have won in Chicago, New York City and Washington D.C. this season as they have opened 11-0 for the second straight year and seventh time in 25 seasons under coach Mike Krzyzewski. But Duke (11-0, 1-0 ACC) has not played on an opponent's home court thus far.
"You have to learn to enjoy it. I would think for the most part, players would rather play in an arena that's alive rather than one that's dead," Krzyzewski said about playing in front of what should be a sellout crowd in Raleigh, N.C.
"It's exciting as you get experience, you learn that fans won't win or lose a game. Don't hear what they say, just hear and feel. If you pay attention to what, you're not focused on the game, but if you feel the atmosphere of an arena or crowd, that's good. I think that's why we've historically been a good road team, now you have to do it every year, though."
Duke has played its last three games at home since beating Oklahoma in New York on Dec. 18. The Blue Devils got big performances from veteran guards J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing in Saturday's 82-74 win over Temple. Ewing finished with 24 points, and Redick added 22 as Duke shot 48.2 percent (9-of-21).
Ewing, a 6-foot-3 senior, was just 7-of-24 from the field in wins over Clemson and Princeton before making 9 of 21 shots against Temple.
Ewing, Redick and Dockery each played at least 36 minutes and most likely will do the same against the Wolfpack as forwards Shavlik Randolph (mononucleosis) and Reggie Love (broken right foot) remain sidelined.
"Our team has done well, we're not a great team, we're a good team that has to have a lot of things go right or we have to make things go right," Krzyzewski said. "We're not going to blow anybody out, we have to play with them and keep things close in the end. There's less room for error with this team."
Forward Shelden Williams has flourished on the boards during the absences of Randolph and Love. He has 39 rebounds in the last three games and is averaging 12 per game to lead the ACC.
North Carolina State (10-4, 0-1) also is hampered by injuries, but has not been able to overcome them.
The Wolfpack opened conference play Saturday and suffered their third straight loss, 67-66 at Miami. Julius Hodge returned after missing one game with a sprained ankle and had 14 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-7 swingman, who also has a sore back, went 4-for-10 from the free-throw line and missed a 15-foot shot that would have tied the game with a minute left.
N.C. State will be without guard Tony Bethel, who is recovering from the flu and colitis.
"The overall health has improved," N.C. State coach Herb Sendek said. "It's still certainly not where we would ideally like it to be. Tony remains sidelined and some other guys are battling some nagging things."
Duke has won 29 of the last 34 meetings with N.C. State, but has lost its last two visits to the RBC Center. In the most recent meeting here last Feb. 15, Hodge made two clutch free throws with seven seconds left as then-No. 21 N.C. State posted a 78-74 victory over then-No. 1 Duke, which had its 18-game winning streak snapped.
The Blue Devils returned to the RBC Center and defeated Alabama State and Seton Hall in the first two rounds of last year's NCAA tournament.
