3 keys for Duke against TCU
· Yahoo Sports
After a close victory Thursday against Siena, the Duke Blue Devils return to action Saturday, hoping to secure a spot in the Sweet 16.
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Given Duke's lackluster first half against Siena, the Blue Devils will need to come out of the gates with more urgency if they are to hold off TCU.
With that in mind, here are three keys to success Saturday against the Horned Frogs.
1. Shooting the three
The Blue Devils settled for jumpers in Thursday's game, especially during the first half. Although the Blue Devils have had success shooting three-pointers, that wasn't the case against Siena. Duke shot less than 20% from the three-point line, converting on just five attempts out of 26. Not only should Duke attempt fewer threes, but they also need to convert at a higher percentage.
2. Limit turnovers
Duke lost the turnover battle in Thursday's game, forcing six Siena giveaways while producing eight of its own. While that isn't a terrible margin, the TCU defense is prone to forcing mistakes. In 33 games, the Horned Frogs forced 445 turnovers, an average of 13.5 per game. If Duke is to advance Saturday, taking care of the ball is a must.
3. Dominate the paint
Last but not least are points in the paint. Although the Blue Devils settled for jump shots in the first half against Siena, they got back inside during the second period and ultimately outscored the Saints 36-30 in that category. In TCU's first-round matchup against Ohio State, the Horned Frogs were outscored 34-24 in the paint. Considering Duke is at its best when Cameron Boozer generates easy looks inside, the Blue Devils should view the paint as their point of attack.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: 3 keys for Duke against TCU