Duke battles Miami for first place in the ACC tonight - SCACCHoops.com

Duke battles Miami for first place in the ACC tonight

by Duke Hoop

Posted: 1/23/2013 5:21:28 PM


First place in the ACC is on the line tonight in Coral Gables, Florida.  The Miami Hurricanes and Duke Blue Devils meet for the first time since the Hurricanes came into Cameron Indoor Stadium and took down the Blue Devils in overtime last season.  Miami enters the game 4-0 in the ACC, winning despite an injury to their star big man Reggie Johnson. 

When talking about Miami the first thing that should come up is defense.  The Hurricanes rank 12th nationally in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.  The Hurricanes rank 29th in scoring defense, 18th in field goal percentage defense and commit the sixth least amount of fouls per game in the nation.  Miami is built primarily on their defense and slow down offense.  The ACC has five teams that are playing at a remarkably slow pace in Miami, Clemson, Virginia, Boston College and Georgia Tech.  The Blue Devils have an advantage of already playing against this style when they squared off against Clemson and Georgia Tech.  The Hurricanes though are a different animal than those other teams, having an offense comparably good to their defense.  Offensively the Hurricanes are lead by three guys now while Reggie Johnson is out.  Shane Larkin, Kenny Kadji and Durand Scott are the Miami big three, all averaging double figures in points.  The weakest parts of Miami’s game statistically are in their free throw shooting and rebounding.   In terms of the gameplan Miami relies on running the shot clock down and relying on guys to make plays on their own.  While Miami doesn’t have the raw talent that NC State has they have been a better team than the Wolfpack.  This game for first place in the ACC will not be easy for either team.

Starters

PG #0 Shane Larkin So.

Larkin has had a similar breakout sophomore campaign as Quinn Cook.  Larkin is a really strong ball handler with great quickness.  Larkin is also a great shooter looking to take three pointers or get into the paint for floaters.  Larkin vs. Cook is a big battle and if one can dominate this position it will most likely result in a win for their respective team.

SG #1 Durand Scott Sr.

Scott is a physical guard that can score and defend.  Scott gets his points mostly around the rim, either taking it all the way or pulling up for his patented floater.  I think Scott would be better served guarding Sulaimon rather than Curry in order to save himself for offense.  Having to chase Curry around countless screens has aversely affected many players on the offense end this season.

WG #4 Trey McKinney Jones Sr.

McKinney Jones is a hard nose defense first guard.  Offensively McKinney Jones is a three point shooting threat and a guy that can sneak in a few buckets on cuts and offensive rebounds.  I think McKinney Jones is better suited to guard Curry because he has way less of an effect offensively than Scott.

PF #35 Kenny Kadji Sr.

This is the guy that needs to be highlighted on the scouting report.  Kadji came into Cameron last season and put up 15 points, hitting 4 out of 5 threes.  Kadji is a stretch four that can shoot, but he also brings strength and athleticism.  The games where Kadji is aggressive attacking the basket are the games where Miami goes from good to potentially great.  Kadji out up 18 points and 9 boards in a win at North Carolina.  Amile Jefferson and Josh Haisrton need to work together to limit Kadji to under 15 points.  Fun fact; Kadji turns 25 years old in May.

C #45 Julian Gamble Sr.

The replacement for Reggie Johnson.  Gamble has done a terrific job stepping in for Johnson, averaging right around 9 points and 7 rebounds per game.  Gamble brings a lot of strength and athleticism to the five spot for the Hurricanes.  One thin Gamble has struggled with is fouling.  If Mason Plumlee can dominate down low, he can put Gamble on the bench and the Hurricanes will be forced to use Kadji on him.  With all the battling down low guarding Plumlee that should take away from Kadji’s offense.

Key Reserves

G/F #15 Rion Brown Jr.

Brown is really the only regular reserve for the Hurricanes.  Brown is a good athlete, but offensively he is mainly a three point shooter.  Brown has been slumping most of the season, but he has a little Andre Dawkins in him.  He is capable of going off from three for 20+ points.

Final Thoughts and Prediction

The Blue Devils are coming off five days without a game.  Since the 2001-2002 season when Duke has had at least four days of preparation for an ACC opponent they are 28-3.  The losses, a 2 points loss at Florida State, a 2 point loss at Virginia Tech and an 8 point loss at North Carolina.  For this game the keys are not letting Miami’s role players get going from the three point line and stopping Kenny Kadji.  Offensively getting the ball to Mason Plumlee has to be the focus.  Plumlee putting Gamble in foul trouble, forcing Kadji to guard him will aid in stopping Kadji’s offense.  Plumlee, Cook and Curry need to show that they are all conference players and dominate their matchups.  I think this game goes down to the final minute and I’ll go with Duke’s talent track record on long rest.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: DUKE: 69 MIAMI: 65

By Ray Horn

 

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