Duke vs. Bellarmine: 5 biggest storylines for 2020-21 matchup

5. In 2019-20, Duke and Bellarmine ranked among the very best in offense and defense – respectively – in Div. I and II

This game is not just fascinating on an individual level, but also on a team level – specifically, offensively and defensively.  Again, it is insanely early to tell a lot regarding team stats when it comes to Duke – and there is nothing to say regarding Bellarmine considering they have not played it.  However, looking at last year’s stats provide what could be an entertaining backdrop to this match-up.

For Duke, last season was all about offense, where they ranked second in all of Div. I in scoring offense (82.5 ppg), just behind Gonzaga.  They ranked within the top 100 in field goal percentage (26th, 47.0%) and three-point field-goal percentage (79th, 35.2%), as well as assists per game (24th, 15.5 apg).

They were average defensively, ranking 139th in scoring defense by way of holding opponents to 68 points a game.  They finished 105th in field goal percentage defense (41.7%) but were stellar defending beyond the arc, coming in at 32nd (29.9%), as well as in blocked shots per game (2nd, 6.1 bpg).

The Knights, meanwhile, were the opposite.  They were solid offensively, scoring 77.8 a game – good for 118th in Div. II.  However, their shooting clips were insane – they ranked fourth in field-goal percentage (52.5%), 18th in three-point field-goal percentage (40.1%), ninth in free-throw percentage (79.6%), and 24th in assists per game (16.9).

That probably speaks volumes to the amount of scoring allowed in Div. II (considering the national leader, West Liberty, averaged 102.4 points a game), but Bellarmine was also among the nation’s best on the defensive end, holding teams to 65.2 points a game – the eighth-best mark in Div. II.

Oddly, though, their defensive numbers reflect the oddities seen in their offensive numbers.  Despite being remarkable in scoring defense, they were average when it came to field-goal percentage defense (127th, 44.2%) and three-point field goal percentage defense (170th, 35.4%).

Obviously, both teams have lost players who were crucial to those numbers being possible.  Again, although it is early, the losses have notably had an effect on Duke this season – they are worse offensively (127th, 75.0 ppg) and defensively (176th, giving up 73.0 ppg).  The jury is still out on Bellarmine, although it will, obviously, take time for these stats to truly have any meaning.

Bellarmine will have their hands full in their Div. I debut, but if one thing is for sure, it is that Scott Davenport will have his crew compete relentlessly.  Duke, meanwhile, will be hungry to right the ship after their disappointing setback to Michigan State – and a victory against the Knights could be the confidence-booster the Blue Devils need ahead of Tuesday’s showdown against Illinois.