Duke basketball is preparing for a challenging stretch, facing #17 Arizona and #1 Kansas in back-to-back games. The Blue Devils will visit Arizona on November 22 at the McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, with the game set to air on ESPN2 at 10:30 PM ET. This matchup marks another test for Duke, who previously fell to #9 Kentucky in the State Farm Champions Classic.
Four days later, Duke will take on Kansas in the Vegas Showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on November 26 at 9:00 PM ET, broadcast on ESPN. This will be a clash of two of the winningest programs in college basketball, continuing their storied rivalry that dates back to 1985. Both games provide Duke an opportunity to solidify their position in the rankings while facing elite competition early in the season.
Duke entered the season as a squad with the potential to be one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country, given the number of players on the team who can shoot threes at any time.
The Blue Devils have demonstrated their shooting ability in the regular season, hitting 11-of-29 threes against Maine (37.9%), 17-of-38 against Army (44.7%), and 16-of-38 (42.1%) against Wofford.
However, the Blue Devils failed to shoot from the outside against Kentucky’s heavy ball pressure, going 4-of-24 from three (16.7%).
Under Jon Scheyer, Duke’s offense places a heavy emphasis on three-point shooting, which has been both a strength and a vulnerability this season. The Blue Devils derive approximately 41% of their points from beyond the arc, according to KenPom, ranking them 38th nationally in this category. This high reliance on three-pointers underscores how crucial shooting efficiency is to their success.
Duke’s early games showcased their potential from deep, with strong performances against Maine, Army, and Wofford. However, their struggles against Kentucky’s defensive intensity (shooting just 16.7% from three) revealed how vulnerable they can be when the shots aren’t falling, particularly against elite teams capable of capitalizing on missed opportunities.
Heading into their matchup with Arizona, Duke has a chance to rebound and demonstrate their shooting prowess against a ranked opponent. Success in this game will likely depend on their ability to handle defensive pressure and execute from long range, particularly in the face of Arizona’s size and athleticism.
Arizona’s defensive struggles against the three-point shot make Duke’s matchup tomorrow night a prime opportunity for the Blue Devils to capitalize on their long-range shooting strength. Per KenPom, Arizona ranks 243rd nationally in opponent three-point percentage, a statistic that Wisconsin exploited in their recent 103-88 victory over the Wildcats. In that game, Wisconsin shot a blistering 44.4% (12-of-27) from deep. Even in Arizona’s opening win against Canisius, they allowed their opponent to shoot 38.5% (10-of-26) from three, despite their own struggles from beyond the arc at just 28.6%.
Given Duke’s reliance on the three-point shot—41% of their points coming from beyond the arc—the Blue Devils have a golden opportunity to overwhelm Arizona with consistent outside scoring. If Duke can find their rhythm early and avoid the issues they faced against Kentucky’s defensive pressure, this could be a decisive factor in securing a statement road win against a ranked opponent.
Duke’s matchup against Arizona provides an excellent platform for perimeter shooters like Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor to exploit the Wildcats’ defensive weaknesses. Arizona has struggled to defend the three-point line this season, allowing teams like Wisconsin to shoot 44.4% from deep in a recent loss. Consistent outside shooting from players like Knueppel and Proctor could stretch Arizona’s defense and create additional scoring opportunities.
For Cooper Flagg, this game could be a proving ground. Despite his elite play in other facets of the game, his three-point shooting has been a noticeable area for improvement, hitting just 22.2% (4-of-18) from beyond the arc this season. If Flagg can find his stroke against Arizona’s shaky perimeter defense, it would elevate both his performance and Duke’s offensive threat.
Additionally, it will be intriguing to see if Jon Scheyer gives more minutes to sharp shooters like Darren Harris or Isaiah Evans, who didn’t feature prominently in the loss to Kentucky. Both players have shown elite shooting ability and could be valuable assets against a team like Arizona, especially if Duke’s primary shooters struggle or Arizona’s defense adjusts to focus on Knueppel and Proctor. Utilizing these players effectively could make the difference in this high-stakes matchup.
Duke’s elite defensive prowess could play a key role in their matchup against Arizona, especially given the Wildcats’ early-season struggles on defense. Duke’s ability to create turnovers and control the boards allows them to push the pace and capitalize on fast-break opportunities. With Arizona ranking poorly in opponent three-point percentage, the Blue Devils are poised to exploit transition opportunities and set up premium three-point looks in rhythm.
By playing to their strengths, Duke can overwhelm Arizona by keeping the Wildcats’ defense off balance and forcing them into mismatches. If Jon Scheyer’s squad executes efficiently in transition and takes advantage of Arizona’s defensive lapses, this could be a game where Duke not only dominates defensively but also lights it up from beyond the arc on the other end.
