Perimeter Defense
Defense has not been a problem for the Blue Devils this year. They are one of the best defensive teams in the country, according to Kenpom. They are currently sitting at the second most efficient defensive team in the country allowing 87.4 points per 100 possessions. That is exceptional and would be Duke's best defense in some time. The Panthers could test That defensive efficiency, especially on the perimeter.
Hopefully you are all sitting down for what I am about to say. The Panthers have the best backcourt that the Blue Devils have faced this season. Yes, better than the backcourts of Kansas, Auburn, and Kentucky. Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Legget are both averaging 18 points per game, and they will be the focal point of the Panthers on the offensive end. Duke needs to be the sole focus on the defensive end. If Lowe, the point guard, is able to move freely without much resistance thai game is going to be close. He can and will change games.
Fear not, though, Duke fans, as the Blue Devils have not made it easy on anyone all season. They will not allow Lowe and Leggett to move freely and get open looks. They are going to cut off the driving lanes and will run guys off of the three-point line. Defensive effeciency isnt a metric that talks about shutting everyone down. Lowe or Horton are going to get there. Those guys are just too good of players not to get their points. The Blue Devils can’t let both of them get their points they have to choose. If both of the guards get their points that will be a recipe for Duke to lose.
The Blue Devils are one of the longest teams in the country. The Pitt guards are not tall, and the advantage is to Duke in that regard. They play physical but don’t foul and will make every basket tough for the Panthers. If Duke can accomplish these three things, they should have zero issues winning this game. It would be very out of character for Duke to choose this game to not defend. Don’t count on it if you are a Pitt fan.