Duke Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Blue Devils against Brown

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to his team during the first half while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on December 03, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Duke Basketball takes on the Brown Bears in their last non-conference matchup this regular season. What are the keys we should look out for?

Due to the new 20-game ACC conference schedule enacted this season, Duke Basketball only had 11 games to play outside of the league. So far, the Blue Devils went 9-1, including big wins over Georgetown, Kansas and Michigan State. The only setback came in the shocking home loss to Stephen F. Austin.

The last victory came in an 86-57 result over Wofford, led by Joey Baker’s career-high 22 points off the bench. Vernon Carey Jr. continues his great run of late, going for 20 points and 10 rebounds. And even without Tre Jones (foot) in the lineup, Duke still was fine defensively, holding the Terriers to just 36% shooting overall from the field.

With nine days of rest, the Blue Devils now take on the Brown Bears (5-5). The program from the Ivy League has struggled of late, losing four of their last five contests. But they were competitive in their last matchup against St. John’s, scoring 47 second-half points in an 82-71 defeat. Brandon Anderson led all scorers with 25 points, while forward Tamenang Choh had a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds), along with six assists dished out.

Those two along with the rest of the cast of Bears will have to have huge games in order to pull off the upset. But the loss to the Lumberjacks shows us that anything is possible. To prevent that, here are some keys for the Blue Devils to extend their win streak to five games.

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