Virginia Basketball: 2018-19 keys to beating Duke at home
3. Whoever is not guarded by Jones has to come up big
Duke has what some would call the basketball equivalent of a shutdown corner. Jones is a lockdown defender that Mike Krzyzewski can put on any opposing player and know that player has essentially been taken out of the game. That was no more evident than in Duke’s 30-point win over St. John’s last Saturday, where Jones was matched up with Shamorie Ponds who was averaging over 20 points per game, was shut out in the first half and managed just 11 in the second, on 3-11 shooting. For Virginia to be successful this time out against Duke, the offense focus is going to have to be whoever isn’t guarded by Tre’ Jones.
It will be interesting to see who the Blue Devils decide to put Jones on, odds are he will be matched up with Kyle Guy who is the Cavaliers best scorer. If that is the case, others will have to step up in a big way, especially De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome, who could return, after missing the Miami game with a back injury.
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If Virginia hopes to earn a season split with the Blue Devils, Hunter and Jerome will have to be more of a factor offensively if Guy is the player Duke decides to put Jones on.