Duke Basketball: 3 keys to beating ACC 1st-place Clemson Tigers
3. Mark Mitchell needs a stellar two-way game
I’ve mentioned already how important it’ll be for Filipowski to have a good game, as well as expected starter Proctor. Of course, the other three first-year players will have to come through in different ways.
For Dariq Whitehead, he’s shown that he’s capable of being a leading scorer. He was averaging 15.3 ppg in the previous three games before scoring just six points against Pittsburgh, And with none of the guards being above 6’3, he should have a matchup advantage on the perimeter.
Center Dereck Lively had arguably his best game of the season against the Panthers, scoring six points and playing game-changing defense in 14 minutes before fouling out. He can guard both Hall and Tyson inside and outside and will be needed on that end.
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But the player I’m watching most as the x-factor is Mark Mitchell. He’s playing some of his best balls, averaging 12.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg in the past two games on season-high minutes. The 6’8 versatile freshman has been playing a lot of the three as well and can have a big impact defensively. If he can give Duke double figures in scoring and help defend Tyson at the four-spot, Mitchell may be the biggest key to winning the game.