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

2. Don’t allow the Tar Heels to go off from deep

There may be some complaints from Duke fans about the play of key guards DJ Steward, Jordan Goldwire, and Jeremy Roach. But they’ve been better than their Tar Heel counterparts, who collectively have struggled once again.

Five-star freshman guard Caleb Love has put up the best numbers, averaging 10.3 ppg and 3.1 apg. Fellow freshmen guards Kerwin Walton and RJ Davis are averaging 8.6 and 6.6 ppg respectively, while Leaky Black and Andrew Platek are part of the rotation as well. As a group, they’re strong slashers and drivers to the basket but are not good shooters outside of Walton (42% on 28 made threes).

As a team, North Carolina ranks near the bottom in both makes (5) and attempts (17) per game. This team’s identity is clearly through its frontcourt but they’ve been limited in what they can do inside due to defenses not being worried about what the guards can do from the outside.

Of course, the Blue Devils thought the same thing against Miami, who is the worst shooting team in the ACC. And Pittsburgh was another team who unexpectedly shot the lights out against this team. Goldwire will be matched up against Love and should have the advantage. But it’ll be up to the other guards to make sure no one else goes off. UNC has the advantage in the frontcourt but Duke should on the outside. So preventing any big shooting nights is an absolute must to be in a position to win.