Duke Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over Northwest Missouri State

Duke Basketball: Takeaways from Blue Devils win over Northwest Missouri State

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 16: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the Florida State Seminoles during the championship game of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Jordan Goldwire #14, Joey Baker #13 and Javin DeLaurier #12 of the Duke Blue Devils react in the locker room after their teams 68-67 loss to the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. Shooting is going to be an issue

Duke struggled mightily shooting the ball, especially from beyond the arc, in the game. The Blue Devils were one of the best teams shooting the ball last season. However, that is not likely going to be the case this year.

“We are not a good shooting team. We are an average shooting team,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said following the exhibition game.

Duke shot 42.2% from the field for the game as the Blue Devils knocked down only 36.4% of its shots (12 of 33) in the first half. The Devils did show some improvement in the second half, making 48.4% (15 of 31) of their attempts. However, of the four players who attempted at least five shots, freshman Matthew Hurt was the only one to make over 40% of the attempts. Hurt was 8-for-16 from the field, including 0-for-3 from long distance, to finish with 17 points.

Moore, who was 2-for-11 from the field including 0-for-4 on 3-point attempts, and Jones each missed nine shots apiece.

Speaking of 3-point shooting, the Blue Devils connected on just 2 of 16 (12.5%) attempts from beyond the arc. They made one triple in each half. Cassius Stanley (1-for-1) and Justin Robinson (1-for-1) were the players that made long-distance shots.

Duke was not a good 3-point shooting team last season. While the Blue Devils attempted the 26th most 3-pointers in the nation (906), they ranked108th in made shots from long distance for a 30.8% conversion rate — which ranked 308th in the nation. Junior Alex O’Connell (30 of 80, 37.5%) is the leading returning 3-point shooter. Tre Jones (26.2%) and Jack White (27.8%) made 27 treys apiece in 2018-19.

Free throw shooting was also an issue against Northwest Missouri State. Duke finished the game 13 of 22 (59.1%) from the charity stripe, although Goldwire and Stanley combined to make three of four attempts over the final 30 seconds. Last year, the Blue Devils ranked 248th in the nation in free throw percentage at 68.6%.

Home/Duke Blue Devils