Duke Basketball: 3 keys to beating Texas Tech Red Raiders in Sweet 16

2. Paolo Banchero and Mark Williams own the paint

Paolo Banchero and Mark Williams have been quite the dominant force in the frontcourt for the Duke Blue Devils in their quest for a championship in the NCAA Tournament. Banchero has done well to pace the offensive attack while Williams continues to be a presence around the rim on both ends of the floor.

Banchero led the scoring attack in the Blue Devils’ victory over the Spartans with a team-high 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field while also racking up seven rebounds, four assists, and a block. He’s averaging 17.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, and 3.6 apg on 44.9 percent shooting from the floor in the tournament. He’s done well to not overdo things and trust in the weapons around him, like Williams for instance.

Williams was equally impressive in their win as well, with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. He’s posted 11.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, and 2.7 bpg as a rim-running presence on both ends of the floor. His length and mobility have been of great use to the success and trajectory of the Duke season as they look to advance past the Sweet 16.

While they’ve got plenty of weapons on the wing to utilize and work with, their frontcourt duo of Williams and Banchero should set quite the tone on both ends of the floor against the Red Raiders.