Duke Basketball: 3 keys to finally getting revenge against North Carolina

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 31: Head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils high-fives the Cameron Crazies after their win against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 31, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 75-73. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Kyle Filipowski #30 talks with head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1. Crash the glass

In Duke’s 20-point victory over North Carolina last February, they outrebounded the Tar Heels 40-24. In their two losses, they were outrebounded 37-34 and 50-41. With Caleb Love, RJ Davis, Leaky Black, and Armando Bacot all back, this UNC team is very similar to last season’s team. What worked last season will likely work again this season.

Carolina ranks first in the ACC in defensive rebounding percentage, per KenPom, grabbing 80% of potential defensive rebounds in conference play.

Duke is the third-best offensive-rebounding team in the country, grabbing nearly 40% of offensive boards on the season.

Something has to give.

Kyle Filipowski and Ryan Young have been particularly strong on the glass this season, ranking in the top 10 for offensive rebounding percentage in ACC play. On Carolina’s side, Bacot averages 11.4 rebounds, good for a top-5 mark nationally.

Mark Mitchell and Dereck Lively II could be X-factors for Duke. Can they grab 8 to 10 rebounds? Mitchell, in particular, could be a game-changer by crashing the glass from the wing.

If Duke finishes Saturday’s game with at least a +5 rebounding advantage over Carolina, it’s likely they’ll also have won the game.

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