Duke Basketball: 3 keys to beating Virginia and staying alive for ACC title

Jan 31, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Jeremy Roach (3) center Dereck Lively (1) center Kyle Filipowski(30) guard Tyrese Proctor(5) and forward Mark Mitchell (25) take the floor after a timeout during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Duke Blue Devils forward Mark Mitchell Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Need someone to give 10+ points if Dariq Whitehead is out

As of writing, five-star prospect and freshman guard Whitehead is questionable for the game on Saturday, still dealing with a lower-leg injury. His absence is big in that he’s not only someone that can guard Armaan Franklin of Virginia at the three-spot, but also is someone that can create his own offense, something that’s big against the ACC leaders.

Assuming that Whitehead isn’t able to go or is limited, the Blue Devils will need guys not named Roach or Filipowski to produce. One guy to watch is Ryan Young, the backup to Lively. He’s a capable post-scorer off the bench and can make the Cavaliers pay for when they have Gardner at the five-spot.

The other guy to watch is freshman Mark Mitchell, who averages 9.0 ppg and 4.3 rpg on the season but has only been in double figures in one of the last six games, including just 16 points combined against Wake Forest, UNC, and Miami. They’re going to need more from him on both ends, as he’ll have to deal with Vander Plas both inside and out.

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If they can get 10 points from him and anything from bench guard Jacob Grandison, Duke Basketball has a real chance to pull off the upset. If they do, the Blue Devils could end up being the new favorites to win the ACC regular-season title.

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