DBP Newsletter #7
Offensive Execution & Floor Burns
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At Georgia Tech, Duke posted their best effective field goal percentage so far this season (65.5% eFG), and their 1.28 points-per-possession was the best offensive output since the Auburn game (1.33 ppp). Here are some clips I really liked from the Blue Devils on offense in the last two contests - both in the half court and in transition.
Half Court
Duke reverses the ball through Khaman in the high post, before Tyrese and Coop execute a hand-off. As the clip freezes, watch as Khaman sets a ball screen for Tyrese, while Kon simultaneously sets a back screen for Cooper. George Mason defends the lob well, resulting in two free throws instead of a dunk, but I love this execution to open the game.
Here, Duke demonstrates good offensive concepts against Georgia Tech’s 1-3-1 zone. Caleb, Tyrese, and Sion utilize pass fakes to move the zone and reverse the ball, while Cooper flashes to the middle and works the free throw line area. The ball is reversed to Sion on the left wing, and he hits Coop in the middle of the zone. Cooper immediately sends the ball out the other side - Maliq occupies the low defender, leaving a long closeout for the top defender. Although Tyrese’s three goes in and comes out, this is textbook zone offense - ball reversal, middle pass, and finding the shooter on the opposite side of the floor.
Transition
The Blue Devils have done a nice job getting transition points this season, posting double-figure fast break points in every game but two thus far.1 Duke has shown the ability to run after turnovers and off of a defensive rebound.
Sion creates multiple disruptions guarding the ball on the perimeter, forcing a near turnover before trapping the pass to the wing and ripping the ball away. Sion starts the break, and Tyrese trails into the open area beyond the arc for a knock down three. Credit Khaman, Cooper, and Kon for also sprinting the floor hard - this forces George Mason to match-up on the run, giving Tyrese more space as the trail man.
Here, Kon grabs the rebound and pushes the pace, while Caleb and Mason fill the right side of the floor - Caleb to the corner and Mason to the right wing. Kon’s quick hit ahead to Mason creates a two-on-one for Duke. Mason passes to Caleb and immediately receives the return pass, with one defender caught in the middle. Mason’s three-pointer rims out, but this is good transition offense regardless of the outcome of the shot - the rip and run by Kon, with good spacing and ball movement on the wing.
Compete
This final video illustrates my favorite takeaway from the Georgia Tech game - Duke’s competitiveness. The three plays in this clip are examples of the guys competing when it would be easy to take a play off. With Duke leading 29-15 at the 8:15 mark of the first half, Khaman is first to the floor for a loose ball. Although the possession arrow gave it back to the Yellow Jackets, and it goes down as a turnover for Duke, it was awesome to see Man Man instinctively make a winning play. Then, Georgia Tech attempts to lob an inbound pass from the baseline safely out top, a play that is almost always routine for the offense. However, Kon and Tyrese both hustle for the 50/50 ball, making it anything but routine. Again, the ball stayed with the Yellow Jackets, but credit Kon and Tyrese for making it much more difficult. Finally, it’s rare to see one of the best defensive possessions of the game occur with 3:30 remaining and Duke ahead 77-54. The Blue Devils execute multiple switches and closeouts, including Maliq switching Caleb out of the post once Ndongo receives the pass. Cooper and Kon both force additional drives, with the help defense well positioned, ultimately leading to a shot clock violation.
Notes
Georgia Tech outscored Duke 14-4 in the final 4:26 of the first half. The Yellow Jackets would only manage 42 points over the other 35:34 of game time, including just 20 points after halftime - the Blue Devils opened the initial 6:04 of the second half on a 16-3 run.
With the calendar on the verge of 2025, I wanted to look at some more metrics for the first part of the season. To date, Duke’s strength of schedule ranks #24 (+7.93 AdjEM). Two other ACC teams rank in the top 30 in SoS - North Carolina with the #5 SoS (+13.87), and Louisville with the #12 SoS (+10.78). Syracuse is next for the ACC at #41 (+6.04). Some other notable teams ranking high in strength of schedule include Memphis at #4 (+14.13), Purdue at #6 (+13.71), Auburn at #10 (+11.65), Alabama at #11 (+11.49), Marquette at #15 (+8.86), San Diego State at #19 (+8.35), and Gonzaga at #23 (+8.01). Baylor (+7.82), Kansas (+7.72), Oregon (+7.51), Creighton (+7.18), and Ohio State (+7.14) are in the top 30 as well.2
I also looked at the NET rankings for the first time this year - Duke currently ranks #3 in the NET behind Auburn and Tennessee. Here’s how the NET top 40 breaks down by conference (number of teams): SEC (11), Big Ten (10), Big 12 (8), ACC (5), Big East (3), WCC (1), Mountain West (1), A10 (1).
Thanks for reading, Go Duke!
Duke scored 5 fast break points against Wofford, and 2 fast break points against Incarnate Word. The Blue Devils have outscored every opponent in transition except Incarnate Word (-3), and are averaging +6.8 in fast break points so far this season.
Strength of schedule data (per KenPom.com) and NET rankings as of 12-27-24.
Sources
Final Game Book - Duke 68 George Mason 47