Duke men's basketball, showing signs of shedding team's 'tough time,' breezes by Syracuse

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Duke made quick work of Syracuse.

Four Duke players scored 15 points as the team defeated Syracuse. 1:45

3:44 PM

If Saturday's win over Syracuse is any indication, Duke might finally be reaching its enormous potential.

The frustrating month that preceded Saturday's victory was caused by late-game flubs, 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 It felt like old times on Saturday.

With Keels out with a leg injury, the BlueDevils set a season high with 25 assists and 14 3-pointers and had five players in double-digits in scoring.

"It's been a tough time since Christmas," said Krzyzewski, whose team lost to both Miami and Florida State. They're getting better, and they're hanging in there. I thought it was the best we played in the second half.

Just a few minutes? The dominance on the court at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday showed a different story than Krzyzewski claims.

Jeremy Roach started in place of Keels and finished with nine assists. Buddy Boeheim and Joe Girard were both 2-of-19 from 3-point range.

Jim Boeheim said his team's top priority was to shut down A.J. Griffin, but that plan didn't work out. Duke drained 14 3s, five from Griffin, as the Orange defense pulled in the paint.

Paolo Banchero had a career-high 13 rebound to go with 15 points.

It was more than just a few elite minutes in the second half, according to Banchero.

"We could've cut down the turnovers, but in terms of offensive and defensive success, all in one, it was our most complete performance," he said.

Keels is likely to miss Tuesday's game as well, Krzyzewski said, but after initial fears the injury could be serious, he said he's optimistic Keels can return soon.

Without Keels, Duke's ball movement didn't miss a beat. The 25 assists were the second most in an Atlantic Coast Conference game for the Blue Devil since 2001, and Duke assisted on a high percentage of its field goals against the Orange. Moore and Roach had a 17-to-2 assist-to-turnover ratio.

"We've got great players all over the floor, and we trust everyone to make shots," he said. We're always willing to pass the ball.

It's a type of performance that's rare for the best teams, when all the parts click into place and the team gets a look at what it can be at its best.

Whether that look lasted a full 40 minutes is up for debate. The team that knocked off top-rankedGonzaga two months ago hasn't lost its edge, and there were enough flashes of the Blue Devil's potential to serve as a statement.

"Moments like these are rare," Moore said. "When you're in it, you just have to be in that moment, and I think our guys were all stuck in that moment and that's why we played so well today."