Duke Basketball: 2018-19 keys for Blue Devils to beat rival UNC

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react following their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 94-78. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 15: (L-R) Nassir Little #5, Coby White #2 and Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react during the second half of their against the Gonzaga Bulldogs game at the Dean Smith Center on December 15, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 103-90. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1. Limit North Carolina’s scorer’s, especially from the three-point line.

The Tar Heels are a veteran team that returned many key players from last year. Heading into the 2018-19 season many people thought that the upperclassman would lead the group. But the freshman point guard Coby White has been the Tar Heels most important player.

White is a great shooting point guard. He is not afraid to pull up for three any time and anywhere with the ball in his hands. Roy Williams has given him the green light to take shots where he sees fit. One of White’s most impressive scoring performances was versus Miami Fl, where he dropped thirty-three points in their win. White is averaging 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in his freshman campaign.

Duke’s freshman point guard Tre Jones will be tasked with guarding White for most of the game. Jones has been considered the Blue Devils most impactful player because of his on-ball defense, distributing, and overall leadership on the court. His defense on White will be a major key for the Blue Devils in their effort to slow down the Tar Heels high-octane offense.

Other key players on the offensive end are Cameron Johnson, Luke Maye, Nassir Little, and Kenny Williams. Johnson is a knockdown three-point shooter – who can also take people off the bounce. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski compared Johnson to NBA star Klay Thompson. Maye has proven he can score from any dimension on the floor. His ability to shoot the three can stretch out the opponents defense. Little and Williams can be inconstant at times, but if they are hot it is hard to stop them.

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