UNC Basketball: 2019 keys against Duke in the ACC Semifinals
By Trevor Marks
1. Be on the right side of the Math Problem
A term that has grown in prominence due other modern infatuation with perimeter shooting in both amateur and professional basketball around the world, the “math problem” refers to a math concept so simple that a kindergartener would understand it quite easily.
It’s pretty simple: Three is more than two in real life, so a three-pointer is worth more on the hardwood, too.
For a UNC team that features potent outside shooting as a unit (37.9 3P% in ACC play, second-best), it may need to rely on simple mathematics to overcome the paint onslaught led by Williamson and his fellow freshman stars who all have a penchant for attacking the basket.
While Duke is one of the best interior scoring teams in the country, as seen by its 44 points in the paint against Syracuse on Thursday, the team ranks as one of the most inefficient shooting squads in the nation. The Blue Devils’ 29.6 three-point percentage in conference play is second-worst in the entire ACC, a dismal mark that could come back to haunt them if they get caught up in a shootout with UNC.
For the Heels, that’s probably what they should hope for. Slowing down Duke’s paint soaring will be difficult, if not impossible, but outpacing the Blue Devils by finding a home beyond the arc could do the trick. This task is easier said than done, of course. In UNC’s first two meetings with Duke, the Heels shot a combined 14-of-51 (27.5 3P%) from beyond the arc, compared to Duke’s equally-unpleasant 16-of-71 (22.5 3P%) shooting. UNC shot better percentage-wise, but their performances were still abnormally cold considering how many shooters are on the roster.
On Friday, if UNC can strike early from deep and gain momentum, they could find themselves in a favorable spot, especially if Duke feels the need to launch three-after-three in an attempt to keep up.