Duke Basketball: 2018-19 keys for Blue Devils at Virginia

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Cam Reddish #2, Javin DeLaurier #12, RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils huddle during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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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) /

1. Contain Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy and don’t let them get easy shots

In the first match-up between the Blue Devils and the Cavaliers – Duke was without point guard Tre Jones. With Jones out of the lineup – the Blue Devils decided to start a taller lineup. With this taller lineup, the Blue Devils were able to switch one through five on defense. The Cavaliers took advantage of Marques Bolden when they could, but he moved his feet well for most the game. Switching one through five forced the Cavaliers into tough shots they were not used to taking. This had Jerome and Kyle Guy struggling to shoot from the field. The two combined twelve of twenty-five from the floor.

The Cavaliers are one of the best three-point shooting teams as they knock down 39.5 percent on average. This kind of shooting percentage from behind the arc has them ranked 14th overall. The backcourt tandem of Jerome and Guy are excellent at moving without the ball and finding themselves with great opportunities from the three-point line. Another thing the Cavaliers do exceptionally well at is shooting free throws. They are currently shooting 76.1 percent from the charity stripe.

The Blue Devils will need to limit the Cavaliers three-point and free throw opportunities, or at least make them as tough as possible. This will start with the on-ball defense on Jones – who was injured for the first match-up. Jones is one of the nation’s best on-ball defenders and has shut down previous star guards Shamorie Ponds and Ky Bowman. He does a great job of focusing in on the offensive player and making life difficult for them as they attempt to get the ball over half court. Jones should be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball for the Blue Devils.

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