Outside Shooting
This is going to be a factor because each team is going to try and turn the other into a three-point shooting team and not let them get any easy baskets. Texas Tech does have the ability as we all saw in the first game to get streaky on offense and blow people out but that isn’t likely to happen, they like to play slow and deliberate and get to the rim and free throw line. The Blue Devils are a lot more comfortable shooting from deep but would rather have their threes supplement an offense that is predicated on scoring in the paint.
Just for clarity, if Duke is successful and turns the Red Raiders into a three-point shooting team, they are going to win this game. Texas Tech doesn’t shoot a ton of threes as they only average 19 a game and make them at 32%, however, if the Red Raiders make their threes early they tend to get streaky as I have mentioned and then the gameplan will be all out the window for Duke.
Texas Tech is going to try and catch the Blue Devils in some switches though because all of their big men can shoot and the Blue Devils’ big man Banchero can defend the perimeter, however, Williams of Duke is not as comfortable out there and the Red Raiders need to get Bryson Williams and Terrance Shannon the ball out there against Williams to exploit the matchup.
The Blue Devils are far more comfortable shooting threes and they are one of the better shooting teams in the country as they knock down 37% of their shots from outside. They have a starter in Wendell Moore who is shooting over 40% from deep. Texas Tech is a good team defending the three as they also typically run teams off the three-point line and contest everything. Their defense is very fundamentally sound so Duke is going to have to make the ones they can while they are open.
The Red Raiders need to focus more on turning Duke into a mid-range team and rebounding the misses because trying to stop either three-pointers or shots at the rim are going to lead to Duke being able to get one and if they get one with ease the Red Raiders are not going to be able to score and keep up.