Duke-Miami (OH): Three-Point Thoughts

Game No. 2 for Duke is Tuesday night; the Blue Devils get a visit from the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks.

Both teams are coming off of season-opening victories, although you could make a good argument and say Duke’s 37-point thrashing of Princeton was more impressive than the RedHawks’ three-point win over Towson.

 

Duke Blue Devils

Eyes of Duke's Big Men

Miami (OH) does not play a lot of zone defensively, so Tuesday night all eyes should be on the big men.

Can anyone put their back to the basket and be a post man?

Obviously, this lands on the shoulders of Miles Plumlee, while Mason Plumlee is just too versatile and is better moving around. Miles has worked all summer on developing his offense skills, but against Princeton, they were not on display.

He scored just two points and look frustrated against a smaller front line. Against Miami (OH), he’ll go against a solid power forward in Julian Mavunga. He will be a step-and-a-half above any forward Princeton could put on the floor.

Defend the Three-Pointer

The Blue Devils once again need to guard that three-point line like it’s the past piece of food on the planet.

The Redhawks like to launch three-pointers.

However, all five defenders will need to be alert and ready. Miami (OH) will do a lot of rotating and try to create mismatches. Aside from the point guard, everyone likes to shoot. Against Towson, four players from Miami (OH) took at least seven shots, including six players who took at least three threes, which means everyone for Duke needs to guard the outside shot.

Know where you are on the floor

Against Princeton, Ryan Kelly made a "crucial" mistake.

Duke had the ball and 97 points. They had to take a shot.

Kelly got the ball at the top of the key. Instead of shooting though, he faked, took two steps into the three-point line, threw up a shot and missed.

First, taking a shot right inside the three-line is the worst shot in basketball, and, second, when you have a shot to deliver 100 to the Cameron Crazies, you do it.

Come on, Ryan. Take that three!

 

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