Out to be a quick study, No. 3 Duke faces ACC newcomer Stanford

Third-ranked Duke looks to preserve its lead atop the Atlantic Coast Conference standings, with freshman center Khaman Maluach expected to take on increased responsibilities down the stretch.More offensive sources are bound to be helpful against upset-minded Stanford on Saturday at Durham, N.C.Duke coach Jon Scheyer gave a blueprint on how the Blue Devils (21-3, 13-1 ACC) can help Maluach to increase his production.”You have to look for him the way he runs in transition,” Scheyer said. “Pick-and-rolls, you have to look for him.”Maluach’s 10 points in Wednesday night’s 78-57 bounce-back victory against visiting Cal marked his first double-figure output in seven games. Duke won after its 16-game winning streak ended with a 77-71 loss to Clemson last weekend.The 7-foot-2 Maluach, bagged his second 3-point basket of the season in the first half of the game. That might have provided a boost of confidence that Scheyer and his staff would like to see.”As a shooter,” Maluach said, “you expect every shot to go in.”The Blue Devils are also counting on another big outing from freshman forward Cooper Flagg, who racked up 27 points against Cal.If Duke cranks its offense up another notch, Stanford (16-9, 8-6) might have trouble keeping up unless it can generate more than it did earlier in the week.The Cardinal are coming off Wednesday’s 60-52 loss at Georgia Tech, falling for the third time in four games. Team scoring leader Maxime Raynaud was held to eight points after entering the night at 20.4 points per game.”We weren’t up to the challenge,” Stanford coach Kyle Smith said. “… Probably (Raynuad’s) roughest, toughest outing for us. I hope that’s a one-time (thing). He’s a good player. He’ll bounce back.”Stanford swingman Jaylen Blakes was back in action after a three-game injury absence. He scored a team-high 12 points.