Duke vs Pittsburgh: 2020-21 key storylines for ACC matchup

2. How the supporting casts perform on offense

While they may not guard each other much in this game, this will be all about Justin Champagnie of Pitt versus Matthew Hurt of Duke. The sophomore forward for the Blue Devils has been averaging a team-leading 19.6 ppg and 8.3 rpg and has been a consistent source of offense all season long.

Duke has needed him to be great because the rest of the team has had their fair share of scoring droughts. Freshman guards Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward are the team’s only other double-digit scorers on the roster, although Steward has been producing at a high clip in the past few games. There’s not much offense outside of them, including from starting point guard Jordan Goldwire, and reserves Joey Baker and Wendell Moore. And outside of scoring 19 points against Coppin State to open the season, Jalen Johnson has yet to reach double figures.

Outside of Champagnie, Pittsburgh relies on a pair of junior players in point guard Xavier Johnson (15.9 ppg and 5.6 apg) and Au’Diese Toney (15.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg). Both are great drivers and slashers to the basket and thrives off of transition.

The team doesn’t have much of a post presence, particularly with freshman center John Hugley currently suspended. If guards Ithiel Horton and Nike Sibande can make some three-point shots and give some offense of their own, the Panthers could have enough scoring to get the victory.