Duke Basketball: Why Blue Devils could go unbeaten in 2019-20 ACC play

Duke Basketball: Why Blue Devils could go undefeated in 2019-20 ACC play

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 03: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates a first half basket with teammates 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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MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 04: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Fast-Paced Play

Through 14 games so far this season, Duke is fourth in the nation and first in the ACC in terms of points scored per game with 84.1. With an average of 75.5 possessions per game, that means Duke is scoring an average of 1.11 points per possession.

That is absolutely absurd and their 75.5 possessions per game also ranks first in the ACC, meaning Duke gets more opportunities to score than any other team in the ACC.

This is also a nod to their defensive presence as Duke ranks second in the ACC in steals per game with an average of 9.29 and first in the ACC in blocks per game with 6.57.

In addition to all of that, Duke is also fifth in the ACC in terms of opposing points per game as they let up only 62.4

This goes to show you that not only is Duke scoring the most points per game on the offensive end in the ACC, but their defense is also turning into offense as stats prove that Duke also has arguably the best defense in the ACC (behind maybe Virginia.)

But Duke’s pace of play will give every single team they play, problems and when they go up against Virginia it will be an interesting battle seeing Virginia is known to use the shot clock and slow down the game, while Duke does the exact opposite.

Duke uses hardly any of the shot clock a majority of the time, the Blue Devils either find someone in the post like Vernon Carey jr. or they find someone on the perimeter, setting them up for a quality shot opportunity.

This is a large reason why Duke holds a field goal percentage of 48.4% and a three-point percentage of 35.3%, they find high-quality shots and they do it quick.

Hardly ever will you see the Blue Devils waiting for something to develop, instead they force the ball down opponents’ throats and create good shot opportunities.

This is a large reason why Duke has been so successful so far this season and it is a big reason why they score so much because they play a fast-paced offense and don’t give opponents time to set up on the defensive end.

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