No. 9 Duke men’s basketball returns to action on Tuesday when they host La Salle in Durham, following a victory over Bucknell. The Blue Zone is here ahead of the game with three secrets to a Blue Devil victory:
A team’s strengths and weaknesses are determined during the first few games of the season, which also serves to establish lineups and tactics. This is especially true for the Blue Devils, who are ranked ninth, as their one and only loss to Arizona demonstrated their many weaknesses. Among these failings, Duke’s depressing display on the glass—winning the rebounding battle by a double-digit margin—was arguably the most glaring.
Since then, there has been a constant improvement, as evidenced by the Blue Devils’ ability to outrebound both Bucknell and Michigan State. To this end, players like rookie forward Sean Stewart have seen an increase in minutes, and thus far, it has proven beneficial. Duke should be able to control the glass from the tip against a short team like La Salle, who often field up to four guards at once. If it succeeds in doing so, the Explorers will find it difficult to stop the Blue Devils’ transition play and will find it difficult to score second-chance points. As a result, Duke would have the majority of the possession and could retreat quickly.
Paint points
Only four of La Salle’s guards are taller than six feet five, and they all play an average of more than thirty minutes a night. On the offensive end, the Blue Devils should try to punish the Explorers in the paint while also anticipating floor spreading and 3-point shooting from the defence. Duke’s offence will surely have to work around a number of mismatches, and La Salle will struggle to defend the interior in the absence of a true rim protector. The main difference in this game will be the Blue Devils’ ability to attack inside, whether it is through guards dribbling or forwards posting up. Duke has the ability to score points in the paint because players at every position can play both big and short.
Distribute the wealth
Duke should do a little more experimenting if it hopes to maintain the momentum from the previous two games throughout its non-conference schedule. With one of the best freshman classes in the nation, the Blue Devils may succeed against La Salle and beyond by experimenting with different lineups and minute distribution. Although they have played less minutes than the rookie guards, players like Stewart and fellow freshmen forward TJ Power can still produce when given the opportunity. Duke should make it a goal to capitalise on this team’s remarkable depth at every position both now and in the future. Making intriguing and novel lineups can enable
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