Not many positives in Duke basketball’s most recent loss

There were not many positives to take in the most recent Duke basketball loss. 

Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke basketball team suffered yet another frustrating loss in which the same issues presented themselves once again.

In their prior three losses, the Blue Devils were hurt by slow starts, poor shooting, and the inability to hit the clutch shot to try and propel themselves over the hill and take the lead from once a double-digit deficit.

Each aspect was on display to plague Duke once again on Tuesday night.

The Blue Devils shot 38.6-percent from the floor (27-of-70), 28.6-percent from 3-point range (8-of-28), and 57.9-percent from the free throw line (11-of-19).

ALSO READ: History made in Duke loss to Pittsburgh

Ironically enough, Duke made more field goals (27-to-24) and 3-pointers (8-to-7) than Pittsburgh but still lost, 79-72.

However, the major discrepancy was at the free throw line as the Panthers were 24-of-37 from the charity stripe, making more free throws than the Blue Devils had attempted.

Every player for Duke who stepped on the floor recorded at least one foul, with the exception of DJ Steward, as point guard Jeremy Roach and forward Jalen Johnson both fouled out for the Blue Devils.

Duke basketball continues to make the same mistakes

The offense is stagnant, the defense is confused, and the players fail to rise to the occasion.

Rinse and repeat.

Only two players for Pittsburgh scored at least 10 points, Justin Champagnie (31 points) and Au’Diese Toney (22 points), while the rest of the team combined to score 26 points.

ALSO READ: Duke star Grayson Allen drills game-winning shot for Grizzlies

Champagnie torched Duke from the field, making 12-of-15 shots, while Toney lived at the free throw line, sinking 13-of-17 attempts despite a 4-of-13 shooting night from the floor.

Justin Champagnie was firmly in the race for the ACC Player of the Year Award prior to Tuesday’s matchup with Duke, and his outing against the Blue Devils only strengthens his case for that prestigious honor. The Blue Devils could not find a way to slow him down.

With that being said, we enter another edition of ‘Stock Up, Stock Down’.