Duke Basketball: 2018-19 keys for the Blue Devils at Pittsburgh

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski talks with Alex O'Connell #15 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 19: Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends a shot by Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 72-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1. Attack the paint and get high percentage buckets

The Blue Devils are most effective when they get to the rim and attack the paint. This was most apparent in the Syracuse game last week when the Blue Devils settled for three after three. The Blue Devils ended up finishing an atrocious nine of forty-three from behind the arc. The three-point shot is the Blue Devils biggest weakness, besides maybe shooting free throws.

Duke changed their three-point mindset versus Virginia as they only took fourteen total three-pointers. Instead, R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson relentlessly attacked the paint and nearly scored at will against a top-ranked Virginia defense. Barrett finished with thirty points and Williamson with twenty-seven. When the two phenomenal freshmen put their mind to get to the basket they are virtually unstoppable.

Barrett and Williamson need to keep that same mindset heading into the Pittsburgh game. The Panthers have a pretty solid all-around defense as they rank 20th in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. If Barrett and Williamson take over the game and get into the paint as they did versus Virginia – it could get ugly for the Panthers. The Panthers are a good team, but trying to defend a determined Barrett and Williamson can be exhausting for anyone.

Home/Duke Blue Devils