UNC Basketball: 2019 keys against Duke in the ACC Semifinals

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 09: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half of their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Dean Smith Center on February 9, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. UNC won 88-85 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 20: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against 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) /

2. Take advantage of shaky decision-making by forcing turnovers

A major component of UNC’s success against Louisville on Thursday was the constant pressure placed on the Cardinals’ offense and defense by forcing turnovers and getting out on the primary break for early buckets. Beyond just ending opponents’ possessions, turnovers give a team like UNC a chance to get out and run, something they do pretty damn well.

Against an inexperienced Duke squad that can show the occasional (and at times, often) lapse in judgment, the Heels should play with a consistent sense of urgency, playing into the sloppiness that the Blue Devils suffer from when playing against well-coached defensive teams. Pressing and crowding Duke’s ball-handlers, therefore forcing passes and desperate flings, should make the Blue Devil freshmen uncomfortable, hindering the flow of Krzyzewski’s offense and resulting in missed opportunities and turnovers.

Thursday’s showing against Syracuse even provided evidence of the young group’s sloppy play, with the Blue Devils turning the ball over on 25.4 percent of their possessions (18 turnovers). Luckily for them, the Orange failed to capitalize on the other end (18 points off turnovers), while Duke managed to overcome their own turnover issues by scoring 27 points off of Syracuse’s 17 turnovers.

UNC only committed nine turnovers against the Cardinals on Thursday, with freshman Coby White particularly doing a good job of taking care of the ball, via his six assists and one turnover. Against Duke, more of the same will be needed, as well as a heightened attempt at forcing the likes of Barrett (six turnovers against Syracuse) and Reddish (four turnovers against Syracuse) into making poor decisions.

Syracuse didn’t make Duke pay for their mistakes—UNC shouldn’t make the same error.

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