Ball Durham
Fansided

Duke Basketball: Despite record and ranking, Blue Devils must improve

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 20: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a basket during the first half of the game against Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 20: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a basket during the first half of the game against Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After a come from behind victory over No. 12 Texas Tech in Madison Square Garden, the Duke Basketball team still has some work to do if they want to be the best team in the country.

Winning normally hides a teams deficiencies, but despite a comeback victory on Thursday over the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Duke Blue Devils still have a lot of work to do in order to become the best team in the nation.

The biggest problem that was on display with the Blue Devils against Texas Tech was how inefficient Duke was in the half court offense.

More from Ball Durham

Duke is lethal in transition, and everyone knows that by now, but they are still trying to figure things out when the game slows down and they have to run sets in the half court.

The Blue Devils have tried to run sets in the half court with R.J. Barrett as the primary ball handler, but the ball must be in Tre Jones‘ hands at all times.

Jones is the point guard of this team, he makes the best decisions with the basketball and using him in a pick and roll with Barrett could prove to be benefit it Jones would hunt is shot more often and be a threat to shoot on a pick and pop.

Running a pick and roll with Zion Williamson could also help create a better flow in the half court because there are few players and teams in the country that can stop Williamson with a full head of steam going towards the basket.

With Williamson drawing so much attention rolling towards the basket, it could lead to open looks Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Jack White from 3-point range, which leads into something else the Blue Devils need more consistency from, and that’s 3-point shooting.

Cam Reddish is in a major funk right now, and you assume that he will eventually snap out of it. On paper he is Duke’s best 3-point shooter, but right now Jack White leads the Blue Devils, shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc, while Alex O’Connell is shooting at a 37.5% clip.

Reddish checks in at 35.6%, while R.J. Barrett is making 31.9% of his 3-point attempts. Tre Jones is a 31.8% three point shooter and Zion Williamson is a lowly 16.7% shooter from deep.

As ACC play is set to start on January 5 for Duke, the Blue Devils must become more consistent from the free throw line.

As a team Duke makes only 67.5% from the charity stripe, which will not cut it in close games down the stretch on the road or in the NCAA Tournament.

While fixing the problems of the Blue Devils do not need drastic changes, if Duke can clean some of these issues up, they will take that next step in order to cut down the nets in Minneapolis in April.

Home/Duke Basketball