Four Key Factors That Will Lead the Duke Blue Devils To a National Championship

The Duke Blue Devils have a ridiculous amount of potential. It's as simple as that. They can beat any team in the NCAA. But the question is, can Coach K use that potential and create a dynamic team? 

Of course he can, and he has done it before. But, in order for him to do so, there are four components that will lead him and his team to success. 

1. Offensive Rebounding with Brian Zoubek and the Plumlee Brothers

These three guys, along with some other big men, need to get mean. They need to take over on the boards. When Duke was playing Purdue they weren't hitting any of their shots but they still had their second chances thanks to these guys.

Look at their game against Baylor. Even though Baylor was bigger and stronger, Duke dominated them on the offensive boards and look where that got them. Final Four. These guys are essential to a winning team and that's what they'll need facing off against powerhouse teams like West Virginia, Butler,and Michigan State. 

2. Scoring With the Three Stars: Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, and Jon Scheyer

If these three guys are hot attacking the hoop and shooting the mid-range jumper along with the threes, Duke will be sure to win. A few days ago against Baylor, Nolan Smith was on fire. He had an extremely silent 29 points and led his team to Indianapolis.

Jon Scheyer got hot later in the game which was crucial to their win. Although Kyle Singler wasn't "feelin' it," the team still won because they were not playing against an elite team, they were playing against a very good team which makes a difference come later rounds in this tournament overfilled with upsets. 

3. No Turnovers

A coach's pet peeve is turnovers. No matter the coach, it's always turnovers. That is why Jon Scheyer is such a great point guard. He rarely has turnovers. Turnovers are deadly, it's giving the ball to the other team. No team should ever have turnovers. Whether it's girl's middle school basketball or the NBA, turnovers are unacceptable.

That's another factor that is highly important for Duke to take home a title, they cannot have turnovers. As I said in my earlier article, Coach K found the solution for no turnovers which is to pass the basketball. You can't turn it over if the team can't get to the ball, right? That's Coach K's philosophy and it's worked quite well. If they remain consistent on the turnover front, Duke will return home successful.

4. Defense

The most underrated factor in any sport. Defense. You win games off of defense. If you miss a shot. Doesn't matter. Make it up on D. If Duke doesn't have defense, they will get dominated. Against West Virginia, they need to stop their newborn star, Joe Mazzulla. When the big man's got it, Brian Zoubek needs to stop that. You can score as much as you want but if you don't make a stop on D, you're doomed. 

Defense is the key to success. It's as simple as that. 

Against West Virginia and the next team they play (if they win), there is no room for mistakes. Coach K recognizes that.  Maybe in the earlier rounds it's acceptable to make careless mistakes or to not get offensive boards but when crunch time comes, all of these factors will be essential to pull off a win and come home to good ol' North Carolina with a national title.