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

By Jason Burgess

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Ty Jerome #11 and Kyle Guy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrate following their 66-65 OT win against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at PNC Arena on January 29, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Ty Jerome #11 and Kyle Guy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrate following their 66-65 OT win against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at PNC Arena on January 29, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/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)
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. Perhaps hack-a-Blue-Devil?

In the first meeting, the Blue Devils shot nearly as well from the field as they did from the free throw line, 51% to 58%. If Virginia finds itself in another tight game or in a position where they need to trade two-for-one late in the game, head coach Tony Bennett could choose to employ a hack-a-Blue-Devil strategy.

For as good as Duke is in every facet of the game, but one they do struggle in is making free throws. In the first meeting shot just 58% from the line but earned 18 points there, and on the year, they shoot just 67.6% which is 268th nationally and last among ACC teams. In league play, they have made 68% of their free throws which is the 13th worst mark.

Duke doesn’t get to the line often, having only attempted 503 on the year and Williamson and Barrett are the only two Blue Devils to have attempted over 100 on the season, but the two combine to shoot just 67%. If need be, don’t be surprised if Virginia sends Duke to the line as a means of getting back into the game, and exploiting one of the few areas that Duke struggles in.

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