Houston Basketball: 3 keys to victory for Cougars vs. Duke in Sweet 16 matchup

1. Steer McCain off of the three-point line.

Jared McCain oftentimes seems to be the X-factor for the Duke Blue Devils. When the freshman is on, they win games. He was on vs. James Madison, scoring 22 points in the first half, shooting 7-10 from the three-point line, and scoring 30 points in the game. 

McCain averages 14.6 PPG and shoots 46.5% from the field. He shoots an astounding 41.5% from three. He is their most effective three-point shooter, and when he's hitting from outside, it makes it that much easier to get big-man, Kyle Filipowski the ball inside and work in the other scorers and facilitators they have in Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor. 

Through his first two NCAA Tournament games, McCain has totaled 45 points and is 9-16 on three-pointers. I’d assume Shead will have the rights to guard the freshman, but regardless of how Sampson defends this Duke team, they need to steer McCain away from the three-point line early and often, limiting his attempts. 

He doesn't waver in the confidence department. The instant he sees one go in, he can catch fire quickly, and if he shoots it at the clip he did against the Dukes, he could be the one that sends Houston home earlier than many anticipated.