Duke Prepares for Showdown at South Carolina

A busy week for the 8th ranked Duke Blue Devils which included back to back wins over ranked foes Kansas State and Oklahoma landed Coach Kara Lawson and the Blue Devils inside the top 10 this week in the latest AP/Coaches poll. It doesn't stop there, as the Duke Blue Devils have not only been battle tested, but embrace the challenge.

Coach Lawson spoke with the media after Sunday's win over Columbia stating,

"Any team that wants to play Duke we'll play you"

This comes after the narrative of Power 5 programs being afraid to play on the road in tough environments.

On the season Duke has played 3 ranked opponents, and two other schools who were picked to finish first in their league during the preseason polls. As Coach Lawson has stated before, she embraces the challenge and for sure Thursday nights matchup versus the reigning national champion South Carolina will be a spectacle event on prime time.

The national champs are coming off an upset loss versus UCLA, their first loss in the last 43 games;

Since defeat the Gamecocks have defeated 15th ranked Iowa State by 40, and Purude by 39. Needless to say, this is the biggest game for the Blue Devils on the year and a much needed measuring stick, something the Blue Devils look forward to on Thursday night.