Texas Tech Basketball: 3 biggest keys for the Red Raiders to beat Duke

By Brian Rauf | Dec 19, 2018

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders talks with Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 21: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots a free throw during the first half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

2) Force Duke to shoot contested three-pointers

One of the big reasons for Duke’s struggles in the half-court is because they’re simply pedestrian shooting the three.

Teams usually pack the paint to try to limit the ability of R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, and others attacking the basket, and Texas Tech figures to employ a similar strategy.

It’s easy to see why – Duke is second in the country in offensive efficiency, third in two-point field goal percentage, and 19th in effective field goal percentage. On the flip side, the Blue Devils are just 189th in three-point percentage (33.7).

No player in Duke’s rotation is shooting better than 39 percent from long-range and, as such, it’s not a surprise to see the Blue Devils be reluctant to shoot from deep. Only 36.6 percent of their shots come from deep (231st nationally) and just 27.1 percent of their points come from three-point shots (277th).

The Red Raiders are not going to win a track meet and they’re not going to win if they allow Barrett and Williamson to have a field day around the rim. Their best chance will be to pack the paint and to force the Blue Devils to beat them from long-range – something they haven’t proven they can do yet.

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