New Year Hard For Duke

With the New Year arriving, everyone around the world has started to develop resolutions about how to become better people. This can range anywhere from working out more to working harder in school, even changing a simple computer password to something besides, well, password (seriously guys, be more creative). Plans are made, schedules are set, and a brighter future is just around the bend. One particular group of guys that has not made the proper adjustments this month, however, is the Blue Devils.

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While most have enjoyed the New Year thus far, head coach Mike Krzyzewski and Duke have not had such a good time. In just seventeen days, the team dropped to fourth in the national rankings and has seen its dominance over college basketball slip away. The causes for concern are eerily similar to that of Duke teams from the later half of the last decade: lack of a strong interior presence in the paint and an enormous amount of three point shots taken.

The Blue Devils have not had any kind of aggressiveness on the interior on either side of the floor. Mason Plumlee, who still has the potential to be a huge piece for Duke this season, Miles Plumlee, and Ryan Kelly have not been able to finish when playing in the post, often missing shots right next to the basket. This lack of production and trust for the post players may be the reason for the increased amount of three-pointers taken and the drop in three-point percentage (34 percent in the month of January).

The problem with the increased amount of three-pointers taken is not bad in sheer number, with the exception of the 35 taken against Florida State, but the timing of when they’re being shot. The Blue Devils have done great this season developing an offense to get open looks behind the arc, using its aggressive backcourt to penetrate and kick-out to shooters on the wings. The past few contests have involved more contested shots with less ball movement, which explains the severe drop in accuracy.

The month of January specifically has been disappointing, mostly due to the fact that the team’s athleticism is not being utilized. A team like Duke can play the half-court style game, but will put a team down with their fast-break opportunities. The Blue Devils have forced an average of five turnovers less than they did in November and December. Without transition points, the total offensive production has been shot. Not only have the average points per game gone down (from 91 in November and December to 74 in January), but the assists per game (18 to 10) and field goal percentage (51 to 41 percent) have also plummeted.

Still, this Blue Devil team has only one loss on its resume, and more than enough time to find a new identity come March.