Duke basketball: 3 takeaways from season saving effort against Sparty

Duke basketball takeaways from victory against Michigan State: 

Performance of Trevor Keels and Jeremy Roach

Trevor Keels had not been playing well until Sunday afternoon, but the freshman came up the biggest when Duke needed him.

Keels tied the game with 3:25 remaining in the second half with a top-of-the-arc 3-pointer, his first of the game.

The shooting guard had missed his last 11 attempts prior to the clutch basket. He added two free throws to put the game on ice as he finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and one assist on 4-of-8 shooting from the field.

Duke needs the Trevor Keels who was on the floor in the final four minutes on Sunday against Michigan State for the next four games of the NCAA Tournament as the scoring potential he provides allows the floor to open up for others.

Despite Keels’ heroics, Jeremy Roach‘s only 3-pointer of the game was the biggest shot of the evening as it expanded Duke’s lead to four, 78-74, with 1:17 remaining.

Roach, who has elevated his play in the final weeks of the season, was 6-of-10 from the field for 15 points in 37 minutes of action.

The guard play for the Blue Devils remains vital to the team’s success in its upcoming games, but the Round of 64 and Round of 32 give hope and a blueprint for how Duke can win going forward.