DBP Newsletter #17
Defensive Clips & Regular Season Stats
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Defensive Clips
With 15:42 remaining in the second half, Duke trailed North Carolina 49-56. Duke outscored Carolina 33-13 to close the game, with the Tar Heels managing just 3 made field goals over the final 9:17. Let’s take a look at some of Duke’s key defensive possessions down the stretch.
1 - Duke switches the initial ball screen and exchange, before Trimble refuses the second ball screen, drives the right lane, and spins back into the paint. Cooper and Maliq are in good help position - Cooper comes over to block the shot as Maliq drops, and credit Sion for chasing down the loose ball.
2 - Kon switches onto Cadeau and moves his feet well on the drive - Flagg controls the miss, hits Sion on the run, and finishes the put back dunk.
3 - Caleb, Maliq, and Sion communicate well on the dribble hand-off into a ball screen. Instead of switching onto Jackson as Caleb is screened, Maliq moves Sion onto the ball handler and takes Lubin on the roll - Foster takes Davis popping out to the perimeter and is able to control the drive, allowing Maliq to bother the pass inside and create the turnover.
4 - After an excellent backdoor pass (and cut from Kon), Maliq is switched onto Davis - it is important for him to utilize high hands to deter the step-back three. Maliq is able to prevent a straight-line drive, enabling Sion to converge on the ball and make the steal. Foster is not picked up in transition and completes a difficult finish at the basket.
5 - Withers is able to drive into the paint, but Kon does a nice job of getting his hands up and chest out to contest the finish - Sion hits Maliq on the slot cut in transition.
6 - As the clip freezes, notice how much ground Cooper is able to cover - he has one foot in the paint before getting out to the block the corner three. This creates a baseline out of bounds with only 7 seconds left on the shot clock. Sion does a nice job jumping out on the hand-off and contesting the long three without fouling.
7 - Caleb and Khaman do not switch the Cadeau/Lubin ball screen, and Cooper forces the baseline drive from Withers - Sion drops inside to take Lubin as Khaman helps on the drive, keeping his hands vertical to contest at the rim.
8 - Khaman does switch onto Davis and Kon fronts the post, forcing the ball reversal. Cadeau makes an excellent diagonal pass, and Cooper makes an excellent block.
9 - Duke is able to corral Davis in transition, leading to a high scoop from Cadeau over Maluach - Cooper keeps the miss alive and Caleb lays out for the loose ball, tipping it Sion who finishes in transition between two defenders.
10 - As Cadeau refuses the ball screen, Maliq provides resistance on the drive, enabling Caleb to get back in the play and block the shot.
11 - Tyrese fronts the post before taking Cadeau flashing from the opposite corner - Maliq communicates this switch and picks up Lubin. Cadeau ghosts a ball screen with Davis - Sion and Tyrese switch the action, but Cadeau is able to get the three-pointer off. Kon and Cooper trap Trimble on the offensive rebound, staying vertical for the block. This gets Cooper out on the run again, with a nice pass to Tyrese for the finish.
Duke’s defensive versatility, switching, and active hands (blocks, steals, verticality) helped create second half stops and, in several instances, transition opportunities.
Regular Season Stats
Duke finished the regular season with a 129.1 adjusted offensive rating (2nd) and an 89.4 adjusted defensive rating (4th).1 Here are some other key statistics I’ve been tracking throughout the season:2
Thanks for reading, Go Duke!
per Ken Pomeroy as of 3-11-25
Regular Season and ACC per game averages.
Definitions:
Point-per-Possession = Total Points / Total Possessions (# of possessions per KenPom)
Line Points = Points from 3PM + Points from FTM
3P PPS = Points from 3PM / 3PA
3PA % = 3PA / FGA
2P PPS = Points from 2PM / 2PA
Assist % = Assists / FGM
Sources