Game Preview: Texas Longhorns vs Duke Blue Devils (PK-80)

The Texas Longhorns provide an interesting matchup for Duke.

Not the most offensively gifted team but like most Shaka Smart teams they will defend. Texas is holding their opponents to 24% from beyond the arc and 32% shooting overall. So Duke will have to find ways to penetrate the Texas defense. Shaka is known for the Havoc defense he employed at VCU utilizing the 1-2-1-1 Full Court Press. While, I don’t expect to see 40 minutes of pressing and trapping I do think Smart will selectively press this Duke team if the opportunity arises. If Texas can create turnovers against this Duke team they definitely have a chance to win. Texas on the other hand is 8th in the NCAA in turnovers, they do not turn the ball over. The key to that is freshman point guard Matt Coleman who is averaging 4.8 assists per game and just .5 turnovers to go along with his 8 points. Andrew Jones leads the Longhorns in scoring at 13.8 a game. Jones is shooting 50% from the field and just under 36% from beyond the arc. If Duke plays the porous defense they did against Portland State it could be a huge night for Jones. Trevon Duval will have his hands full with Coleman trying to take him out of his game, if Duval can match Coleman efficiency and floor game then Duke should be in fine shape. Another interesting matchup will be which Duke forward guards Dylan Osetkowski. The transfer from Tulane is a 6’9 4 man who has the ability to take the rebound and get the break started. He’s a very versatile player and isn’t afraid to take shots beyond the arc. Duke will need to be aware of what be brings to the Longhorns.

Obviously part of the draw of this matchup is seeing two of the top freshmen going head to head in Marvin Bagley and Mo Bamba, but Wendell Carter is due for a big game as well - he could be a huge factor should Bagley and Bamba cancel each other out. Texas got a huge commit when they landed Mo Bamba, who at 6’11 boasts a 7’9 wings span. Bamba right now is more raw offensively but defensively he is averaging 4 blocks a game and 10 rebounds. This could be a breakout game for the freshmen and Duke will try to counter his production on the boards.