Duke – UConn: Tale of the Tape

By Paul Gotham

Setting: The corner of 7th Avenue and 32nd Street will be hopping this evening when the Duke Blue Devils (5-0) take on the University of Connecticut Huskies (4-0) in the finals of the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Plot: For the first time in NCAA history coaches with 800 or more victories do battle when Mike Krzyzewski (838) and Jim Calhoun (809) square off.

Flashback: The teams have split 4-4 all time with UConn taking the last four. When these two teams get together, there is usually quite a bit at stake. Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater was the difference when Duke advanced in the 1990 East Regional. Khalid El-Amin and the Huskies “shocked the world” when they downed the Blue Devils in 1999 NCAA Finals. Last meeting, UConn beat Duke, 79-78 in the 2004 National Semi-Finals. Duke has won the NIT Tip Off in 1985, 2000, and 2005.

Sub-plots: UConn has led the nation in blocked shots for the last eight years. This year is no different. The Huskies have blocked 10.3 shots per game. On the other hand, Duke has made the transition on offense from a dribble penetration team to perimeter motion. Duke will need to convert outside the paint to neutralize UConn’s inside talents.

Conflict: Kyle Singler vs. Stanley Robinson.   or Finesse vs. Brawn.  Singler is a versatile offensive player. He can score inside and outside. Singler can knock down a three pointer one possession and on the next trip take his man in the post and play with his back to the basket.  Singler has done all that and more but not against a player like Robinson. The Husky forward knows no fear and does not seek style points. At 6’9″, Robinson has defended bigger forwards and smaller guards.

Characters: Jon Scheyer has committed just two turnovers while dishing out 27 assists in 171 minutes played this year. 18-year-old Andre Dawkins leads the Devils in 3pt. efficiency – 48.3% (14 of 29). Can these guys continue this success against UConn’s pressure. Nolan Smith moved from point guard to shooting guard and has averaged 19.3 over his last three games.

Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker provide UConn’s offensive punch from the outside. Dyson averages 20 ppg thus far including 6 of 20 from long range. Walker is scoring 16 ppg adding 6 of 11 from the three-point arc. Alex Oriakhi pulls down over 10 rebounds per game.

Resolution: If Duke is to win, the Blue Devils will need to hit over 50% from the field. The Huskies will give the Devils few, if any, second-chance opportunities. Many of Duke’s offensive rebounds will contribute to UConn’s staggering amount of blocked shots. UConn will need to take care of the ball and not give Duke easy buckets off steals.

1st Team All-Casey

PG – Sherron Collins/Kansas

SG – Elliot Williams / Memphis

SF – Wesley Johnson/Syracuse

PF – Jason Love / Xavier

C – Larry Sanders / VCU