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Duke vs. Syracuse: Keys and storylines for 2019-20 matchup

By Garth Johnson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski talks to Tre Jones #3 during the second half of their game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski talks to Tre Jones #3 during the second half of their game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 31: The Duke Blue Devils bench (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Other keys for the Blue Devils

Besides the reawakening of Vernon Carey, Coach K had to be happy about only turning the ball over ten times to a Pitt team that causes 16 per game.  In Duke’s three losses, they averaged 17 turnovers a game with Tre Jones dishing 23 assists but also 15 giveaways.

This season has seen an evolution of Jones’ role and his turnovers have increased, as have his assists, as he has sought more offense for himself.  Still, he is up 3.5 points in turnover percentage while dropping from a 3.6 assist to turnover ratio last year to a 2.5 in this one.

Jones has continued to build his reputation as the go-to guy when Duke needs a tough bucket.  When Pitt cut Duke’s lead to five late in the second half, Jones stepped up with a bucket and three straight assists around some Matthew Hurt free throws that increased the lead back to double digits.

Facing Syracuse, Jones will need a similar stat line to the one he had against the Panthers:  14-pts 3-reb 8-ast 1-stl 1-blk with zero turnovers on 50% shooting from the field and three.  He only had one make behind the arc but his job is to probe and drive into the zone, drawing defenders and kicking it to better three-point shooters.

Speaking of threes, Duke will need to hit their fair share against the zone and especially early so it expands and comes out to meet shooters.  This will open up the middle and the baseline for cuts and lobs to the rim as well as driving lanes as the zone spreads.

Jordan Goldwire has also emerged as a valuable contributor this season to the extent where he is now a starter for the fifth game in a row.  He rewarded the promotion with one of his best games against Pitt with a 13-pts 5-reb 3-ast 1-stl with only one turnover stat line.  If he can continue his growth while remaining an intimidating on-ball defender and Duke gets Wendell Moore back playing like he was before the injury; the Blue Devils and Coach K have a great shot at beating Syracuse and lifting some hardware later on in March.

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