Duke Basketball: 3 keys for Blue Devils to take down Clemson Tigers

2. If there has been a bright spot for Duke statistically, it has been their dominance on the boards – and they can dominate Clemson

There have not been many positives throughout Duke’s sluggish 2020-21  campaign, especially statistically.  But, arguably, their most significant and positive statistic on the offensive end has been their offensive rebounding percentage – and they should use that to dominate Clemson inside.

The Blue Devils are among the nation’s best in offensive rebounding, hauling down a board on 32.3% of their attempts – which ranks 63rd in Div. I.  They bring in at least 11.9 a game (61st) – and that mark is a dead-even 12.0 offensive boards in ACC play, the 2nd-best mark in the conference.  It is no coincidence, subsequently, that Duke’s 2P% is a solid 52.0% (91st).

Earning second opportunities was a crucial part of Duke’s win over Georgia Tech.  The Blue Devils brought down 11 offensive rebounds to just five for the Yellow Jackets, and Duke converted those opportunities into eight second-chance points – while Georgia Tech had just four.  Likewise, earning extra possessions allowed Duke to earn opportunities at the free-throw line – somewhere they have struggled mightily this season – where they were a blistering 18-22.  Contrarily, Tech was just 4-5.

By contrast, Clemson does not rely much at all on rebounding.  Nationally, the Tigers maintain marks of 9.3 on offensive boards (217th), 23.9 on defensive rebounds (284th), and 33.1 on total rebounds (275th).  All of those marks are worse in conference play, where the Tigers rank 10th or worse in all three statistical categories.

They are not impressive in keeping teams off the boards, either.  The Tigers surrender over nine offensive rebounds a game – and over eight in conference.  In the win over Louisville, the Cardinals actually outrebounded Clemson, 42-38 – as well as 12-7 in offensive rebounds – and outscored them in second-chance points, 8-4.

Clemson has typically done well in keeping the second-chance points differential low when outscored – against Florida State, it was just 10-9 in favor of the Seminoles – meaning Duke will have to make it a point to dominate on the glass.  Limiting Clemson’s rebounding begins with shutting down Aamir Simms and Clyde Trapp, with both averaging between five and six rebounds per game – with Simms hauling down almost three offensive rebounds a game.

For the Blue Devils, feasting inside starts with Jalen Johnson and Matthew Hurt, both of whom lead the team in offensive rebounding percentage among those that see a substantial amount of time.  Hurt is bringing down nearly three offensive rebounds a game, while Johnson hauls down about 1.2 per game.

In their win over Georgia Tech, however, neither led the Blue Devils in offensive rebounds.  Instead, 7-0 freshman Mark Williams – who, prior to the game against Tech, had only played more than 10 minutes in one game – saw 13 minutes of action, scoring six points while collecting six boards – three offensive, three defensive.

Finding a physical post player inside – particularly one who can stand in for Hurt, who is playing out of position at center and is not necessarily the most physical player – is key for Duke moving forward, if they hope to assert some dominance inside.  It will be intriguing to see if Williams can build on his performance against the Yellow Jackets – and he may just very well be the key cog if the Blue Devils hope to dominate the offensive glass against the Tigers.