Duke Basketball: 3 keys for the Blue Devils versus the Clemson Tigers

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 20: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a basket during the first half of the game against Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 20: Jack White #41 of the Duke Blue Devils high-fives teammate Cam Reddish #2 after Reddish made a three-point basket during the second half of the game against Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Duke Basketball finally returns after an extended break from basketball due to the holidays. The Blue Devils will open up the ACC schedule versus common foe Clemson.

The (11-1) Duke Blue Devils head into the new year as the No. 1 ranked team in the AP Poll and KenPom. The Blue Devils have already knocked off four of the five top thirty KenPom teams they faced. There only loss being to Gonzaga in the Maui Invitational Championship.

The Blue Devils have had a remarkable season so far and look to continue their run versus the Clemson Tigers on Saturday night. The ACC opener has been set for a prime-time showdown at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.

The (10-3) Tigers are not currently ranked in the AP Poll, but are ranked 34th in KenPom. The Tigers have lost to Creighton, Nebraska, and Mississippi State – who happen to be their three most difficult opponents.

The Tigers have not won in Durham since 1995. The 1995 Blue Devil team consisted of players such as Jeff Capel, Chris Collins, and Steve Wojciechowski. The Tigers look to pull off the upset versus the Blue Devils and break this streak.

Here are three keys for the Blue Devils if they want to defend their streak versus the Tigers.

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