Duke Basketball: Blue Devils Keys vs. Michigan State in 2014 Champions Classic

The Duke basketball team better have enjoyed playing against the likes of Fairfield and Presbyterian because things are about to get a lot more difficult.

The Blue Devils will take on Michigan State in the 2014 Champions Classic in a showdown between two of the best and most consistent programs in the country. It is a clash of legendary coaches in Tom Izzo and Mike Krzyzewski and two rosters that were overhauled in the offseason with the combined losses of Adreian Payne, Keith Appling, Gary Harris, Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood.

Duke will certainly be tested, but it should have the talent advantage and come away victorious if it takes care of a few keys. Read on to find out what those are for this much-anticipated game.

Get out to Fast Start

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For as talented as the Duke freshmen are, they haven’t been in a tightly contested college game yet.

Michigan State has a number of veterans, most notably Branden Dawson, Travis Trice, Matt Costello and Denzel Valentine. If the Spartans can control the tempo early and establish the way they want to play, the Blue Devils youngsters may start to press.

If Duke is forcing the issue and playing a bit out of control because it is trailing against a difficult opponent, that would counteract some of the talent advantage it has on paper.

Fortunately for the Blue Devils, they have some veterans on their side too that have been battle tested throughout their career. Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon and Amile Jefferson will make sure that Duke does not press or force the issue, and the Blue Devils should prevail.

A fast start would ensure that.

Rebounding

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Michigan State may not have the same personnel as it has in the past, but the Spartans are still known for their physically grinding defense and brutal strength down low. That is how they always play under Izzo, and that is not going to change without Payne.

Rebounding was a major weakness in 2013-14 for Duke, but it was a strength in the opening two games this season. In fact, the Blue Devils held a 46-21 rebounding advantage against Presbyterian and a 39-20 advantage over Fairfield.

However, the fastest way for a less-talented team to stay in the game is by converting on easy second-chance points. Duke has to minimize Michigan State’s offensive rebounding in order to get out in transition and establish that fast start that is so important.

This is the Blue Devils' first opportunity to prove to the nation that rebounding is not going to be a weakness this season. Look for them to seize it.

Establish Okafor Down Low

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As mentioned, there is no more Payne down low for Michigan State.

Jahlil Okafor may just be the best player in the nation and the future No. 1 pick in the draft, and the Spartans simply have nobody to counter him in the paint. It will probably be up to Costello to slow down Duke’s superstar, which isn’t exactly the formula Michigan State was hoping for against elite competition.

The bottom line is, Okafor should absolutely dominate down low against the Spartans.

Yes, Izzo’s squad hails from the Big Ten and is known for its physicality, but it simply doesn’t have anyone to counter Okafor. If Duke’s big man gets it going from the opening tip, the Blue Devils could build a substantial lead and make a statement to the rest of the nation early in the season.

Push the Tempo

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Duke is much deeper than Michigan State, and it can wear the Spartans out by pushing the tempo early and often, be it through a full-court press on defense or in transition on offense.

Michigan State was basically a two-man show in its opener against Navy when Trice scored 25 points and Dawson added 12, so the Blue Devils should try to wear those two out in particular. Krzyzewski may stick Winslow on Dawson and have him shadow the Michigan State star all over the court with hounding defense and relentless ball pressure.

Nobody else on Michigan State scored more than six points in that opening win, and Izzo just doesn’t have the horses on the bench that Coach K does this season. The Spartans’ depth concerns will rear their ugly head in the second half if Duke uses its athleticism to push the tempo all game.

Hit the Open Threes

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Unless Costello suddenly turns into a superstar interior defender over night, Okafor is going to be a major problem for Michigan State.

The only way the Spartans can realistically prevent Okafor from dominating all game is with constant double teams, which means there will be plenty of open looks on the perimeter for the rest of the Blue Devils. Between Sulaimon, Tyus Jones, Winslow, Cook, Semi Ojeleye and Grayson Allen, Duke has to convert on its open three-pointers.

The Blue Devils drilled 16 shots from deep against Presbyterian and nine against Fairfield and will look to do more of the same against the Spartans.

A sharp-shooting performance from the outside players combined with Okafor’s strength down low will be impossible for an overmatched Michigan State squad to match.