Duke Basketball: 2020-21 keys to beat North Carolina Tar Heels at home

1. Duke needs to be effective against the Tar Heels frontcourt

While North Carolina has had some personnel struggles, the frontcourt, which many believed was one of the best in the country in the preseason, has been strong. Sophomore Armando Bacot leads the way with 11.9 ppg and 7.5 rpg, while senior big man Garrison Brooks is second on the team with 10.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg.

The team leader in rebounds for the Tar Heels is freshman forward Day’Ron Sharpe (7.7 rpg), while also producing 9.6 ppg as well. Freshman center Walker Kessler has been playing in a limited fashion but is still a weapon head coach Roy Williams could use at any time. When North Carolina wins, it’s because of their strong play in the frontcourt.

Duke arguably will have the best frontcourt player on the court in this game in Matthew Hurt (18.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg). He’s been the lone consistent star for the team and his ability to stretch the floor will be important on Saturday. The other starting forward, freshman Jalen Johnson has had his ups and downs overall this season besides from injury. He’ll have to be motivated and effective on both ends of the court, especially when facing Sharpe from UNC.

One other frontcourt player to watch from Duke’s side is freshman Mark Williams. He’s played little for much of the season but has played an average of 13 mpg in the last three games, one of which included a season-high 11 points against Clemson. His emergence of late has been big for a thin frontcourt that has had Hurt playing at the center position mostly.

That won’t work against such a big frontcourt in the Tar Heels. And Hurt’s offense is so crucial for Duke that any foul trouble could spell doom, so expect the rivals to attack him on the defensive end at every opportunity. Williams will need to defend at the five-spot so expect double-digit minutes from him again. They’ll have to be effective minutes to give Duke a chance in this one.