BYU -- Friday, November 11th, 9:00 PM, Marriott Center, Provo, Utah (game televised on BYU-TV, available on-line with registration, Triangle area cable, and DirecTV)

2011 BYU Snapshot: 25-9, 15-1 Mountain West Conference, WNIT 3rd Round

Last Meeting: Duke 69, BYU 54, on 11/13/10 in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Significant Losses: The Cougars lost their top two scorers, guard Mindy Bonham (13 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg, 33% 3FG) and forward Coriann Fraughton (11.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 34% 3FG). On a team with fairly balanced scoring, those two players did most of the playmaking and rebounding, respectively. Starting guard Jazmine Foreman is also gone after being a glue player and averaging 6 ppg, 3 rpg and 4 apg).

BYU coach Jeff Judkins will miss the 13 ppg and floor leadership of Mindy Bonham this season.

Returning Players: BYU will reload around post Kristen Riley, who averaged 9 ppg, 5 rpg and 44% from three last year. Haley Hall Steed will take over point guard duties after averaging 8.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 5 apg and 33% from three a year ago. 6-7 center Jennifer Hamson contributed 8 ppg and 5 rpg in limited minutes. Wing Kim Parker (5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 39% 3FG), forward Dani Peterson (4 ppg, 3 rpg) and wing Stephanie Vermunt (3 ppg) are also likely to get significant minutes.

The Skinny: : Last year's clash between Duke and BYU featured two senior-dominated teams, but this year's contest will be all about youth. The Cougars gave Duke a good test in Cameron last year, leading for much of the first half after an initial 8-0 scoring burst. Duke crawled back into the game thanks to their ability to attack the basket and test BYU's depth, and they simply took over in the second half when Jasmine Thomas got hot from the field. That BYU team was far more experienced than the one they'll be fielding in Provo this year, as the Cougars will be trying to integrate nine freshmen into a lineup that already has four sophomores. This will certainly be a year of transition in many ways for the Cougars, who left the Mountain West for the West Coast Conference for basketball.

Open looks from three for Haley Hall could spell trouble for the Blue Devils

BYU loves to press early in the game, knowing that there's plenty of depth to back up that initial burst. The Cougars don't turn over the ball all that much (just 14 a game) and favor the three pointer as a major part of its offense (over 1/3 of their field goal attempts came from long range). We'll see if the longer three point line has any impact on that. In the preseason, the starters have been Riley, Peters, Parker, Steed and frosh wing Lexi Eaton. Eaton has been impressive as a scorer and rebounder and may well help make up some of Fraughton's production. Frosh Morgan Bailey (post), Stephanie Rovetti (guard) and Ashley Garfield (guard) have been part of the extended lineup, as has Vermunt.

Duke will have a big edge in quickness and rebounding. The Devils need to press that edge and look to break BYU's press to score, not just run. Chelsea Gray and Chloe Wells need to attack the basket and get to the foul line. Elizabeth Williams should seek to get the foul-prone Riley out of the game as quickly as she can with aggressive post moves. Patience at both ends will be Duke's watchword. Certainly, the Devils will want to pressure BYU and generate turnovers, but they must be careful not to overcommit or else they could give up open shots. Duke will have to be disciplined, communicate and rotate on defense to stop BYU from getting the shots they want. If Duke can do that, BYU will not be able to do much against Duke's greater size and quickness. If Duke gives up open shots, BYU could easily exploit this and take an early lead.

On offense, Duke has to be strong with the ball against the press and then be patient against a likely BYU zone. This is where the creativity of a Gray could be a big advantage; if she can make that zone move with clever passes or baffling head fakes, then players like Wells, Tricia Liston and Haley Peters will get lots of open looks. This is a solid early test for the soph and frosh-dominated Devils and will give them a lot of information about where they currently stand.

BYU getting an early lead or open looks from three.

DWHoops coverage of this game will be published for members on our Gold Board on Saturday, then here on Sunday afternoon.