Duke entered the NCAA tournament as one of the pre-tournament favorites and the opening weekend did nothing to change to change that thought. Against San Diego State, one of the best defensive teams in the country, the Blue Devils shot a red hot 54% from the field. The Aztecs have some length too, and the Blue Devils shredded their defense time and time again.
Where Duke has struggled some this year is on the defensive end. That wasn’t the case against San Diego St. where they held the Aztecs to just 33% shooting. Throw in 7 steals and 6 blocks, and the Blue Devils played one of their better defensive games of the year.
The Blue Devils held their first round opponent Robert Morris to 36%, and neither first weekend opponent scored more than 56 points. Everyone knows that Duke has one of the most efficient offenses in the country. Jahlil Okafor as a freshman is already the polished big man on offense in the country. Tyus Jones and Quin Cook form arguably the best back court in college basketball, and Justise Winslow makes plays all over the court.
The bench is thin, and at some point one of Amile Jefferson, Grayson Allen, or Marshall Plumlee will be asked make a major contribution. At the moment though with how Duke has progressed defensively, they appear to be a team that can certainly win it all.
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