From Nov. 4 until Selection Sunday on March 16, Duke faced 6 teams rated inside the top 25 at KenPom. The Blue Devils went 3-3 in those 6 games. As the ACC champs sprinted into the NCAA Tournament, there was a question as to how they would perform against elite peers after months of play in a mediocre ACC.
That question has been answered. Duke put 100 points on a top-20 Arizona team in the Sweet 16. Then it blasted a top-10 Alabama team by 20 points in the Elite Eight.
On Saturday, in the Final Four, Duke will face a Houston squad that ranks second in KenPom. The Cougars have the nation’s longest winning streak at 17 games. They also have one of the highest minutes continuity rates in Division I basketball, per KenPom
Guard LJ Cryer has started all 75 games for Houston over the last 2 years. Emanuel Sharp has started 66 games over that same time. J’Wan Roberts has started 107 games for Houston over the last 3 years. Joseph Tugler played in 28 games for Houston last season and has started 31 this year. Ja’Vier Francis started 37 last season and has played in 36 this year.
When Duke head coach Jon Scheyer when on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt Wednesday night, he pointed to those shared experiences as one of the key factors that make Houston so dangerous.
“You start with the fact the core of their team has been together for multiple years, so with the experience they’ve had together, their connection is incredibly deep. But they’re just a team that doesn’t beat themselves,” Scheyer said. “They make everything difficult for you on our offense. Their defense is legit. When you see 2 guys moving in a pick-and-roll defense together, the other 3 are moving at the same exact time. It’s incredibly impressive when you watch them play.
“And then they have a top-10 offense in the country. They have 3 guys that are shooting over 40 from 3. They pound you on the offensive glass. They’re just, they’re a great team.”
The latest March Madness odds still list Duke as the favorite to win the national championship. The Blue Devils are +100 to win the title at bet365.
Duke and Houston tip off against each other on Saturday at 8:49 p.m. ET on CBS. The Blue Devils are a 5-point favorite at bet365.
Jon Scheyer identifies what makes Houston dangerous in Final Four Saturday Down South.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Jon Scheyer identifies what makes Houston dangerous in Final Four )
Also on site :
- Bomb threat reported at Aurora’s Liberty Middle School
- As markets melt down, Trump touts $5m gold card for wealthy immigrants (featuring his face)
- Dodgers Place Freddie Freeman On Injured List