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Duke Basketball: 2019-20 keys to beat Michigan State in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

By Matthew Travis

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: The Duke Blue Devils mascot performs against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half 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)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: The Duke Blue Devils mascot performs against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half 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) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 05: Vernon Carey Jr. #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Get the ball to Vernon Carey Jr.

Vernon Carey Jr. has been the MVP for Duke this season and if the Blue Devils want to get their second ranked win of the season, they need to utilize their freshman big man.

Carey jr. was the NCAA Player of the Week after two huge games against Cal and Georgetown two weeks ago and hasn’t slowed up at all since then. Carey is nearly averaging a double-double this year with 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 2.4 blocks per game.

He has been absolutely irreplaceable for Duke this season and the Blue Devils MUST use him to their advantage if they want any shot on the road in East Lansing.

Without Cassius Stanley, someone is going to need to make up for his 12.9 points per game and I believe that man is going to be Vernon Carey jr.

Michigan State does not have a true center and instead, they play with a two-guard and three forward set. This means that Duke will have a significant advantage with Carey in the paint and they need to exploit it time and time again.

Carey has proven that he can put up huge numbers no matter who the opponent is, so who’s to say he won’t do it again against the 11th ranked team in the nation?

Seeing that the Spartans don’t have a true center I wouldn’t be surprised if Carey flirts with a triple-double Tuesday night with points, rebounds and blocks. He had seven blocks against Stephen F. Austin and while the Lumberjacks are a much different opponent than the Spartans, it just goes to show you what he is capable of.

If Duke can manage to get him the ball consistently, there will be absolutely no one standing between him and the basket and he will just rack up points.

However, don’t be surprised if Michigan State attempts to keep putting him on the line if they can’t stop him. In that same Stephen F. Austin game, Carey went to the free throw line 11 times and made only four of the shots.

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Nonetheless, you should expect to see Vernon Carey jr. be used time and time again on Tuesday night and he will likely rack up almost 30 points against a team that does not have a true center.

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