Duke @ California preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 21, 2010 ) California 53, Duke 68

Known primarily for his defense last season, Duke point guard Tre Jones has emerged as an offensive force early in his sophomore campaign. Jones looks to continue his hot start Thursday when the top-ranked Blue Devils face California in the semifinals of the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Jones is averaging a team-high 17 points and 5.8 assists and turned in a stellar outing in last Friday’s 74-63 win over Georgia State with 31 points, four 3-pointers, six assists and four steals while playing 40 minutes. “He’s really good, he put on a hell of a performance,” coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters. “Some of his stuff in the full court, he’s like a running back for crying out loud. And he’s still playing on the defensive end. He’s one of the best players in the country. I’m proud of him.” Freshman center Vernon Carey Jr. recorded season highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds and senior forward Jack White grabbed 10 rebounds in the win over Georgia State, which held the Blue Devils to a season-worst 34.2 percent shooting from the field. Duke avoided the upset by dominating the boards and figures to have the edge inside against Cal, which has opened the season with four consecutive wins at home.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT DUKE (4-0): The deep Blue Devils boast four players averaging double figures in points and eight players averaging at least 15 minutes per game – including Carey Jr., who has recorded back-to-back double-doubles and is shooting 62.2 percent from the field. Freshman guard Cassius Stanley scored 13 points in the team’s season-opening win over Kansas at Madison Square Garden, but the Los Angeles native was held to seven points on 2-of-12 shooting against Georgia State. Duke’s highly touted freshman class includes 6-9 forward Matthew Hurt, who is 7-of-17 from 3-point range.

ABOUT CAL (4-0): Picked to finish last in the Pac-12 preseason media poll, the Bears are off to their best start since 2015-16 under new coach Mark Fox. Sophomore guard Matt Bradley averages 21.3 points on 55.9 percent shooting while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi transfer Kareem South is averaging 12.7 points to lead the Bears, who defeated Prairie View A&M 54-50 on Monday. The Bears are undersized near the basket and will need a strong showing from 6-8 forward Grant Anticevich, who averages 10.7 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds.

TIP-INS

1. Duke and Cal have met just three times previously, with the Blue Devils winning the last meeting in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla.

2. Texas and Georgetown meet in the other 2K Empire Classic semifinal matchup, with the consolation and championship games scheduled for Friday.

3. Cal is shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from 3-point range.

PREDICTION: Duke 84, Cal 68