Duke basketball: How to beat North Carolina in Final Four

Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
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Duke basketball
Duke basketball center Mark Williams (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Win the Foul Battle

Duke must stay out of foul trouble against North Carolina and try to get the Tar Heels into foul trouble.

North Carolina shot 22 free throws in its victory over Duke this season while the Blue Devils only attempted eight free throws in their loss in Durham.

The Tar Heels also shot more free throws in their loss to the Blue Devils in Chapel Hill, but the discrepancy was only two attempts in favor of North Carolina.

Duke’s stars, specifically Paolo Banchero and Mark Williams, must stay out of foul trouble on Saturday night. And the emphasis on offense must be attacking the North Carolina defense to get its key players into foul issues.