Miami rolled past Duke 80-69 in the way that a typical Blue Devil team would put away a competitive high major. It was an initial punch followed by a methodical demise for the lower caliber team.
Angel Rodriguez kicked things off with a couple early 3's and Duke hung around thanks to the play of Brandon Ingram and Grayson Allen. After Rodriguez showed he could score early, he fascilitated later in the game. Rodriguez finished with 13 points and a season-high 11 assists, compared to just 1 turnover. Ja'Quan Newton and Sheldon McClellan found little resistance when probing the Duke zone. McClellan finished with a game high 21 points, while Newton added 15 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds.
The Blue Devils opened the game in zone and stayed that way for most of the way despite Miami's success from long range. The Canes finished 7-20 from long range in the game, although seemingly all of those came in the first half.
Ultimately, Duke didn't have enough answers for an experienced Miami team that had more depth. Duke has now dropped 4 of their last 5 games dropping them to 4-4 in conference play. This is the same Duke team that was a legitimate Top 5 team when they had Amile Jefferson a month ago. So, what has changed outside of just losing a veteran big man? In short, its been a rippling effect.
Changing Roles for Duke
Let's take a look at how responsibilities have changed with Amile Jefferson's departure.
- Brandon Ingram
- With Jefferson: Makes Duke a very good offensive rebounding team. Able to be an aggressive defender.
- Without Jefferson: Has to be the 2nd Rebounder, and due to his rail thin frame isn't a good defensive rebounder. This makes Duke susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds. Has to far more passive defensively to avoid foul trouble, since he's Duke's 2nd big.
- Marshall Plumlee
- With Jefferson: Able to be aggressive at defending the rim and on offensive glass.
- Without Jefferson: Far more passive defensively, more likely to give up easy baskets. Can't afford to get in foul trouble. Opponents FG% goes up. Has to be more vocal defensively. Not necessarily his style, playing out of comfort zone?
- Luke Kennard
- With Jefferson: Able to provide scoring punch from the bench.
- Without Jefferson; Put into more free flowing game plan and has thrived in terms of scoring.
- Grayson Allen
- With Jefferson: With less focus on defensive boards has been able to get into transition more often.
- Without Jefferson: Has to stay in and defensive rebound. Once again, defensive intensity has lessened, can't afford foul trouble.
- Matt Jones
- With Jefferson: Was more of a quiet leader, filled role when needed. Solid perimeter shooter. Thrived on offensive rebound kick outs.
- Without Jefferson: Has been more demonstrative, but perhaps not as effective vocally? Has the change in responsibility affected his strengths? Shooting numbers are down since Jefferson's departure.
- Derryck Thornton
- With Jefferson: Strong voice of Jefferson to help guide Thornton. Played freely, instinctively early on. Not afraid.
- Without Jefferson: Has been erratic and inconsistent. Direct link to Jefferson's departure or just coincidence?
- Chase Jeter/Sean Obi
- With Jefferson: Able to contribute only when needed
- Without Jefferson: Forced into action, while sparingly, but completely ineffective
Summing things up, Jefferson's departure has left Duke without an excellent interior defender and rebounder as well as a great finisher on the offensive end. That said, Jefferson's absence has had rippling effect across the Duke rotation that has hurt their ability to defend and rebound, especially on the offensive end. The good news is that Jefferson should be back in mid-February, if my estimation is correct. Duke has 3-4 more games until that point though and will need to tread water until Jefferson returns.
