Arthur “Bud” Rose, Kon’s great grandfather, was an N.C. State basketball player and gained honorable mention All-American status in the 1931-32 season. "It's pretty sweet," Knueppel said after the Blue Devils' 10th straight win to start ACC play. "I know my grandparents were watching back home. Full-circle moment there. Pretty proud."

BOTTOM LINE: No. 2 Duke takes on Syracuse after Kon Knueppel scored 22 points in Duke's 87-70 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Orange have gone 8-4 in home games. Syracuse is third in the ACC with 25.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Donnie Freeman averaging 6.9.

Duke sent N.C. State packing 74-64 en route to its 14th straight win of the season. Despite solid first-half shooting from the Wolfpack, Durham’s squad pulled through with clutch free-throw shooting and a second-half offensive spark.