UNC Basketball: 3 keys to beating Duke in first game against Jon Scheyer

Apr 2, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; The North Carolina Tar Heels walk off the court as forward Armando Bacot (5) is supported after sustaining an apparent injury following a play against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four semifinals at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Slow down Kyle Filipowski

You can go ahead and pencil in Kyle Filipowski for ACC freshman of the year. The freshman is averaging 15.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game thus far this season, slowing him down should be priority #1 for the Tar Heels on Saturday night.

Pete Nance will most likely be the first person tasked with trying to contain the 7’0” freshman out of New York. Nance is going to be the one that is going to be able to physically match up well against Filipowski on the defensive end. Although Filipowski likes to shoot from range for a big man, he can also play with his back to the basket and in the post. If Nance is able to contain him in the post and force him into taking mid-range or even contested 3-point shots the Tar Heels will have to consider that a win and live with the results.

Leaky Black should also see some time guarding Filipowski if the Tar Heels decide to go small and have Black at the 4. Black is a lockdown defender and someone that is capable of neutralizing a scorer like Filipowski. However, Black will give up some size which could cause a problem. Black comes in at 6’9” and 205 pounds where as Filipowski stands at 7’0” and 230 pounds. Black and the Tar Heels will almost certainly try and deny his post touches in the matchup by possibly bringing a double team over to try and get the ball out of his hands.

The Tar Heels should throw multiple looks at the freshman to make him have to think before making a move. Something that has been a negative in Filipowski’s game recently has been turnovers. He is averaging three turnovers per game since the Blue Devils started ACC play. If the Tar Heels are able to steal a couple of possessions by creating turnovers while the ball is in his hands it could not only create easy transition baskets for Carolina but make him hesitate on the offensive end and take him out of his game.

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