Duke Basketball: Keys for Blue Devils in revenge game against UNC

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 20: Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels tries to stop RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 12: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after the 71-69 win over the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 12, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Shot selection and not forcing it when it isn’t there

In the two teams’ last meeting, Duke’s shooting wasn’t there. There have been ups and downs as far as shooting the ball goes for the Blue Devils over the entirety of the year, thus far. To beat this in-form UNC side, Duke’s shot percentage will need to be at least satisfactory. Two weeks ago, in Chapel Hill, Duke shot 34.7% and hit eight 3PT shots from 39 attempts – not the fabric of this elite college team.

Sure, Zion was down and it was a monumental hit to the side, but they still had two of the top four college basketball prospects out there, and they still couldn’t get it going. With RJ, one of the NCAA’s best shooters, in Cam Reddish starting, and the likes of Alex O’Connell and his ability to get hot, off the bench, there are mounds of talent within this squad of players. This side has the ability to go all the way in March, even without Zion.

Duke have got to be patient, on the offensive end, come Saturday night. The players are there, they’ve just got to make and wait for their opportunities to get a high-percentage shot off. With Barrett taking most of the offensive load, there will be plenty of chances for Reddish, O’Connell and Jack White to hit down open and easy three-point attempts, they just have to wait until it’s there, rather than throw it up.

This Duke offence, marshalled by Tre Jones, can create good looks for themselves on any given night, against any given team. Saturday will be a good chance to look at where Duke lies, again, at this pivotal period of the year.

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