Scoring Consistent, Defense Not

Duke's last three losses have seen them give up 85.3 points per game to their opponents. Compare this with an points against average under 60 for most of the season and it is not a surprise that Duke hasn't come out on top. So what's the difference?

According to Coach K, it comes down to communication. "You have to talk on defense. In the last two weeks we’re not communicating on defense. So guys are playing individually, instead of collectively. The most important for team man-to-man defense is communication, coordinated with effort. Effort is coordinated as a result of having talked. If you don’t talk very well you’re looking around. You’re not concentrating on what you’re doing."

Which indicates something that does not bode well for the Blue Devils: the pressure has gotten to them. Duke has always played as a tight team. Supportive, intense, communicative. What has kept them in games, in which they routinely score in the upper-60s and lower-70s is their defense, which is built on communication. If the communication isn't there, there is something wrong with the team dynamics.

Coach K might be up against one of his toughtest challenges yet, trying to play psychologist for a team that is beating themselves. I sure hope this is not the case, that there is division in the ranks, but it wouldn't be the first time it's happened in college basketball. Just the first time at Duke.

Go Duke