Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
Canes Rising Contributor
Editor's Note: Gameday Report is for basketball, what "Know Your Enemy" was for football. The original Gameday Report was created by Paul Burkart, the leader of Haith's Faithful, a student spirit organization named after former coach Frank Haith. The original Report had pertinent information about the opponent, and selected cheers for the student body. It was discontinued following the graduation of Burkart, but its spirit lives on.
Opponent: Duke University
Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium(Capacity: 9,314)
Time: 9PM(Eastern Time)
TV/Radio: ESPN2/WVUM(90.5 FM)
Game Notes
Duke's Best Scorer--Jahlil Okafor(19.2 PPG)
Duke's Best Rebounder--Jahlil Okafor(9.1 RPG)
Duke's Best Passer--Tyus Jones(5.1 APG)
Duke's Best Perimeter Shooter--Quinn Cook( 39%)
What To Expect
For years, Duke was an unathletic, perimeter orientated team that lack difference makers on the front line. That's no longer the case as the Blue Devils have a likely lottery pick in the frontcourt. Jahlil Okafor was the top rated recruit in the country last year, and he's lived up to the hype, averaging nineteen points, and nine rebounds per game. Okafor is a very athletic player who is a beast inside the paint, but is talented enough to step outside the paint and connect on midrange jumpers. Tyus Jones is another young player who has impressed, he's a silky smooth guard who is a willing passer. Quinn Cook is one of the few seniors on the team, and he's been consistent as always, averaging a career high in points. Another player that deserves mention is Justise Winslow, an athletic forward that is averaging over twelve points per game. There's a lot of youth on this team, which is a rarity for a Coach K led team.
Keys to Victory
1. All The Small Things--No, I'm not referring to the Blink 182 song, I'm talking about the 'Canes paying attention to detail. That means no mental lapses, no silly mistakes. Playing Duke at Cameron Indoor is hard enough, there's no need to make it even more difficult.
2. Limit Okafor--It won't be easy, but Miami has to find a way to limit the young center. Tonye Jekiri may need help, and that means that everyone else will need to rotate accordingly. Okafor is a skilled player who will score at some point, but he shouldn't be allowed to roam free. Forcing him to work on the offensive end will affect his defensive effort.
3. Tonye Jekiri--Miami has to find a way to get Tonye involved. Jahlil Okafor isn't an overwhelming defensive presence, so opportunities will be available. Jekiri has to assert himself early, especially if Miami's shooting woes continue. If Tonye can get a double-double, the 'Canes' are likely to emerge victorious.
4. Dictate Matchups--Duke plays hard man to man defense, it's a program staple. When Miami has found success against Duke, the 'Canes used a variety of screens to dictate favorable matchups. It's far easier to screen a team that plays man, compared to teams that play zone. The one player that will benefit from this concept is Omar Sherman. When Duke clamps down on the guards driving to the basket, Sherman will be open on the perimeter. If Sherman can connect from beyond the arc, that would be a huge boost. Sherman may not be the athlete that former 'Cane Kenny Kadji was, but he has the ability to shoot like Kenny, and stretch the floor in the process. Miami's guards are athletic enough to consistently get into the heart of the defense, the key will be to find the shooter who is left alone when the defense collapses.
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