ACC notebook: Duke’s Odom adds a three-pointer, N.C. State’s Boyd impresses and more

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 07: Duke Blue Devils forward Leaonna Odom (5) is blocked by Florida State Seminoles forward Valencia Myers (32) during the ACC Women's basketball tournament between the Florida State Seminole and the Duke Blue Devils on March 7, 2019, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 07: Duke Blue Devils forward Leaonna Odom (5) is blocked by Florida State Seminoles forward Valencia Myers (32) during the ACC Women's basketball tournament between the Florida State Seminole and the Duke Blue Devils on March 7, 2019, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – JANUARY 20: Leaonna Odom (5) forward Duke University Blue Devils attempts a free throw against the Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) match-up, Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Donald Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – JANUARY 20: Leaonna Odom (5) forward Duke University Blue Devils attempts a free throw against the Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) match-up, Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Donald Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Duke’s Odom has expanded her game

DURHAM, N.C. — Leaonna Odom has long been a talented player for the Duke Blue Devils. She’s versatile and can play four different positions, and last season she averaged 13.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per-game. She also entered this season as a preseason candidate for the McClain Award.

But in Duke’s season-opener on Tuesday vs. High Point, Odom did something unexpected: she connected on a three-pointer.

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Over her last three seasons, Odom was 0-for-4 from three-point range. On Tuesday, she was 2-for-2.

“I’ve been practicing them with my teammates, especially with our really good shooters,” Odom said. “I’ve been going in with Miela (Goodchild), Haley (Gorecki), Kyra (Lambert) and just practicing them. They’ve given me a lot of confidence to shoot the ball and just telling me, ‘It’s going to go in. Just take your shot.’ So, that’s what I do.”

Duke shot 7-of-15 from three-point range on Tuesday for a 46.7 percent clip. They beat High Point handily, 93-57.

But it’s worth pointing out that junior center Jade Williams also sank a pair of three-pointers on five attempts. Last year, she was 0-for-1 from behind the arc. This could be a trend for Joanne P. McCallie’s Blue Devils as they look to get back in the tournament.

“We’re a faster team. There’s no question we can play with speed,” McCallie said. “It will be a faster game, a fun game and more people doing what they can do… Everybody is supposed to contribute their gift.”