J.J. Redick

Dec. 17, 2004

Duke (7-0, 0-0 ACC), ranked seventh in the nation by the AP and by ESPN/USA Today, faces Oklahoma (6-1, 0-0 Big 12) on Dec. 18 in Madison Square Garden in the Dreyfus Classic. Tipoff is set for 5:00 PM.

Duke leads the all-time series vs. Oklahoma, 3-0, with victories in 1986, 1990 and 1993. The three Duke victories have come by a combined total of 18 points (6.0 per game). All three games have been high scoring affairs --Duke averages 90.3 points in the series while the Sooners avearge 84.3. This will be the first meeting between the two schools in a neutral setting. Each of the first three games in the series featured two ranked teams (1986 - No. 2 Duke vs. No. 10 OU, 1990 - No. 9 vs. No. 11, and 1993 - No. 1 vs. No. 11). Under Mike Krzyzewski, Duke is 3-0 vs. Oklahoma.

The game will be televised nationally by CBS with Verne Lundquist (play-by-play) and Billy Packer (color) calling the action.

Duke in the Garden
This will be Duke's ninth trip to Madison Square Garden in the past seven seasons. Duke has a 5- 3 record in the Garden since the 1998-99 season. The Blue Devils' last game at the venue resulted in an 89-61 victory over No. 11 Texas in last year's Dreyfus Classic. In the Coach K era, Duke has a 9-5 record in Madison Square Garden.

Duke remains one of the most popular draws at Madison Square Garden. Six of the previous eight contests have drawn crowds of 19,000 or more when Duke is in action. The Duke-Oklahoma game is expected to be sold out, as was last year's Texas contest.

Duke vs. the Big 12
Duke has posted a 17-4 (.810) record vs. current members of the Big 12 Conference, including an 89-61 victory in Madison Square Garden over Texas in last year's Dreyfus Classic.