Rhode Island Basketball: How can the Rams match up with Duke?

Once again…dominate the turnover battle

I know that this was one of my keys for Rhode Island against Oklahoma but it is just as important against Duke. On the season, the Rams are one of the best teams in terms of the turnover margin in the country. They committed turnovers on just 15.2% of their possessions, a mark that ranks 17th in the nation in taking care of the ball.

While this is already elite ball security, they are also excellent in forcing turnovers. Opponents turned the ball over on 22.7% of possessions against Rhode Island this season. The Rams are certainly an opportunistic defense and it has paid dividends throughout the year with the fifth-best defensive turnover rate in the country.

The hope for the Rams is that they will be able to take advantage of Duke’s youth with some pressure on and off the ball. Duke’s offense is at its best when it can get the ball to Bagley in the paint. However, Rhode Island might be able to force Duke into long possessions in which the ball rarely enters the 3-point arc. If this turns out to be the case, then the Rams will be in great shape to snag the upset victory.