The key three: Duke basketball vs. Vermont

Vermont is ranked 313th and 316th in the country in field goal percentage and points respectively, while Duke is ranked fourth and ninth. Duke is averaging 93.0 points a game against 78.2 allowed while Vermont averages 63.0 points a game against 73.0 allowed. If the Blue Devils continue to play their elite style of up-tempo basketball, they should blow the Catamounts out of the water. Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood, the top scoring tandem in the ACC, need to look to catalyze this Duke offense towards an offensive blowout, taking advantage of their incredible talent and ability.

Win the rebounding battle

With little disparity in size difference, the Blue Devils must be focused on boxing out early and grabbing boards. Over the course of the season, Duke has averaged 33.6 rebounds to its opponents’ 34.6, giving up too many second-chance points. In their last performance the Blue Devils barely squeaked out the victory, allowing East Carolina to total 14 second-chance points in the first half and 13 offensive rebounds for the entire contest. Duke’s tallest starter, Amile Jefferson, needs to improve from just four rebounds last game to pressure the Catamounts into making sure that their first shot each possession is their only shot.

Force Vermont to take outside shots

Duke has struggled throughout the season in allowing points in the paint, recently giving up 34 points down low to East Carolina. However, they have shut down opposing teams’ efforts at shooting from beyond the arc. Blue Devils’ opponents are only averaging 11.4 points from the perimeter this season, shooting 19-of-72 from long range. Vermont just shot 0-for-12 from the 3-point line in a 68-61 loss against Wagner on Thursday night. On the other hand, 6-foot-8 senior forward Clancy Rugg has been a force to be reckoned with down low, drawing six fouls against Wagner and scoring in double figures in five straight games. The Blue Devils must prevent Vermont from continually penetrating down low, restricting them as much as possible to outside shooting.