Game Preview: Virginia at Duke w/ Notes on the Pack Line Defense

In a battle of ACC heavyweights the number 2 ranked University of Virginia Cavaliers take on the # 4 ranked Duke Blue Devis at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Cavaliers bring an undefeated ACC record to Durham and the topped ranked defense in college basketball. Tony Bennett may have his best defensive team ever and they still have yet to give up more than 67 points in a game, conversely Duke has yet to have a game where they score under 78. It's easy to peg UVA as just a defensive juggernaut but that does a complete disservice to what they bring on the offensive end of he floor; boasting 3 guards that are shooting over 42% from beyond the arc in Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and Devon Hall. UVA does not struggle putting the ball in the basket but their style of play dictates lesser opportunities to do so - they are last in tempo but they are 3rd in the nation and tops in the ACC at taking care of the basketball. UVA average around 69 points per game but are shooting, as a team, just under 40% from 3 point range and 47% overall.

UVA is led offensively by a trio of guards. Sophomore Kyle Guy leads the way offensively with 15.2 points per game, Guy shots 42% from beyond the arc in 30.6 minutes per game. Devon Hall is a 6'5 guard who averages 12.7 points a game and 3.2 assists and Ty Jerome checks in at 9 points and 3.2 assists a game as well. The Virginia front- court consists of senior Isaiah Wilkins who pulls down 6.8 rebounds a game and Jack Salt the 6'10 New Zealander who averages just under 4 boards per game. UVA has 8 players who average 15 minutes or more per game.

Duke is led by freshman sensation Marvin Bagley III, who leads Duke and the ACC in points and rebounds at 21.6 and 11.5 a game. Bagley's frontcout companion, Wendell Carter Jr. is averaging 14.4 and 9.2 rebounds per game. The backcourt is handled by a high scoring triumvirate of Trevon Duval, Grayson Allen and Gary Trent Jr. Allen leads the guard in scoring 15.2 points and 4.4 assists a game, Duval leads the team in assists per game at 6 per game and Trent Jr. comes in at 14.7 and 4 boards. Trent in particular has been playing more aggressively on offense in the last 4 games where he is averaging 23 points including a 30 point barrage against Miami in Coral Gables.

Conventional wisdom and billing is pitting Duke's high powered offense against Virginia's stout and constrictive defense but this could be a big test for Duke's defense. UVA has an excellent squad of guards and defending the perimeter and also dribble penetration has been an area of weakness for Duke. It's true they have made strides in recent weeks but to say they are anywhere near an excellent defensive team is not just not an honest portrayal of where they are. Duke will have a very tough time turning the Cavaliers over, but if Duke can speed up the Cavaliers and by default award themselves more possessions they significantly increase their chances of winning. Duke will have to adjust quickly to UVA's defensive pressure and unlike early in the Miami game, Duke will need to be strong with the ball. Finishing through contact will be a huge area for Duke to emphasize as well as being efficient with their possessions as a whole.

Defensively, keeping the UVA guards from getting hot will be paramount, Guy and Jerome are snipers in the backcourt and are underrated in terms of how fast they are with their first step. Rebounded, generally, isn't an issue for the Blue Devils but UVA's Jack Salt and senior Isaiah Wilkins, while they don't have huge rebounding numbers, are very adept at boxing out. Duke will need to be aware and lay a body on the UVA front-court players.