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Duke Basketball: 5 Questions for the game against South Dakota

By Taylor Sturm

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Duke Blue Devils players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on November 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Duke won 91-81. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Duke Blue Devils players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on November 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Duke won 91-81. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 20: Marvin Bagley III
DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 20: Marvin Bagley III /

Can Marvin Bagley dominate the inside?

Marvin Bagley is currently the best player in college basketball, and I understand that those of you who read this headline and thought “of course he can” are correct.

However, like I mentioned earlier, this South Dakota defense is really, really good.

That being said, they have struggled to guard top players on the inside this season as opposed to those on the outside. Against UMKC, they allowed 22 points to the starting forwards in combined 41 minutes of action in a blowout win. Against TCU, they allowed Vladimir Brodziansky to score 23 points.

Even when you take a look at the guards who have beat them, it has been penetrating guards and not distance-shooting guards. This trend should continue against Duke.

It would not be surprising to me if Bagley gets 20 or more points in the first half, as South Dakota focuses on shutting down the hot-shooting Blue Devils.

Bagley will make or break this game, as, if he can score often and early, the South Dakota defense will break and allow other players to be open. If he has an average game, this could be close – but don’t count on it.

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