Virginia Basketball: 2018-19 keys to beating Duke at home

1. Virginia must be better defensively than in their first meeting

Despite being arguably the best defensive team in the country, one thing Virginia will need to do to earn a split with Duke is be better defensively. The Cavaliers are the No. 1 ranked team in scoring defense, allowing a minuscule 52.9 points per game, they are also the best in defending the three-pointer, as opponents shoot just 24.7%. In ACC play, the Cavaliers are just as good, allowing 54.7 points per game while opponents shoot 36% from the field and 24.8% from beyond the arc.

Looking back at the first meeting, Duke shot 51% from the field making 26 of 51 field goal attempts. Since Duke shoots just 30.8% from beyond the arc and in their first meeting made just two of 14 attempts, in fact, those two makes were the only field goals Duke made outside of the paint the entire game.

If Virginia wants a split, they are going to have to force Duke into taking more jump shots and keeping mainly Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett out of the paint. Those two made 21 of the 26 field goals and just one came from outside the painted area if that happens again, Duke likely ends up with a season sweep of the Hoos.