Originally Posted by
Troublemaker
More on Duke's O vs Auburn's D. Auburn ball pressures, but unlike how Duke has generally played it the past two decades, Auburn will liberally help off 3-pt shooters behind the ball pressure to disrupt drivers. (Auburn's defense generally allows very high 3PA% against). Many of Auburn's steals come not from the original ball-pressurer but from wings digging in on the driver to strip him. We have to be strong with the ball, recognize the help, and kick the ball to the open 3-pt shooter. Likewise, we have to avoid charges taken from wing defenders (another source of turnovers) and kick the ball to open shooters. Finally, Auburn has a bevy of shotblockers at the rim. You can think of it like a third and final line of defense. 1. Ball pressure, 2. Wing dig, 3. Shotblocker. Our drivers have to use good footwork and go into the shotblocker to create space for our rim finishes.
Thankfully, I think our guys can do all of the things I mentioned. Auburn's a good defense that will disrupt a lot of good teams with their scheme. But they're going against one of the best ball-handling, driving, and passing teams in the country in Duke.