Wingate - Wednesday 11/3 7:00 PM - Cameron Indoor Stadium - Exhibition

Significant Losses: The biggest loss is post player Stacie Rhodes, who averaged 9 ppg and 8 rpg along with 2 bpg. Another post player, Erica Crumlin, also departed after averaging 4 ppg, 4 rpg and 1.5 bpg.

Who's Coming Back: The one player on the team who could play in the ACC is junior wing Kurie Washington. The only reason why she didn't get recruited to a Division I program is that she's just 5-8. That would make her physical style a bit more difficult to employ, but she's managed to adjust by becoming an excellent three point shooter. She averaged 18 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg and shot 39% from three. She got to the foul line once every four minutes and converted at an 81% clip when she got there. Also returning is guard CC Brooks, who put up 9 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2 apg. She went to the foul line once every 5.5 minutes. Sarah Woollett, the team's leader in assists at 3 apg, also returns after averaging 6.5 ppg. The Bulldogs will also return several other players who averaged between 3 to 4 points a game.

The Skinny: This is an exhibition game against Division II Wingate, a team that was mediocre last year against DII competition. Their tallest player, 6-2 Jecia Anderson, averaged just 1 ppg last year. That said, Kurie Washington (#25), is a legitimate talent that Duke will have to clamp down on. Who defends her will depend on what position she's playing. If she's handling the ball, look for Jasmine Thomas to get on her. Otherwise, it will be up to Karima Christmas to put a body on her and keep her off the foul line. While Duke won't want her to get open shots from three, the Devils definitely want to turn her into a (contested) jump shooter.

This game is more about Duke figuring out lineups and defenses than Wingate itself. The Bulldogs don't have the size to keep Krystal Thomas & Christmas off the boards. If Allison Vernerey is available, look for her to feast down low on Wingate's tiny frontcourt. Wingate turned the ball over 21 times a game last year and Duke will look to press them early. 30 turnovers is a reasonable goal for the Duke defense in this game. Given that Duke will be using a lot of different lineups, look for stretches of ragged play, unforced errors and missed defensive assignments. This is a game about finding ways to get better and seeing what combinations work best. Watch carefully to see how Kathleen Scheer adjusts to playing exclusively at power forward. See the ways in which Duke's offense has changed, especially if they continue to bring Krystal up high to open up cutting lanes. Finally, I'd keep an eye on how the freshmen play when matched with upperclassmen to see how how chemistry is developing.

Washington and Brooks at the foul line.