Any Cameron Crazies who witnessed Tuesday’s victory over the George Mason Patriots might find themselves experiencing a sense of déjà vu. The Blue Devils once again faced challenges in the opening half, managing to score only 25 points in the first 20 minutes. However, their defense once again came to the rescue, securing a stress-free 21-point win. Alongside some struggles from behind the 3-point line and double-digit turnovers forced on the defensive end, a script for the 2024 - 25 season seems to be emerging.

Duke's Defense Shines as Offense Struggles in Recent Games

Once Again, This is the Best Defense in the Country

Duke entered Tuesday’s game with an outstanding defensive efficiency rating according to KenPom. The Patriots’ offensive production only added to the Blue Devils’ reputation. Despite a five - for - five run by George Mason in the second half, they went just 20/68 (29.4%) from the floor and 2/17 (11.8%) from 3 - point range. Through 11 games, Duke has held six opponents under 60 points and nine opponents below 40% from the field. There are no easy baskets against this Duke team, and this trend is likely to continue.In another game, the Blue Devils showed their defensive prowess. They limited the opposing team’s scoring and forced turnovers, demonstrating their ability to control the game on the defensive end. This consistent performance has made Duke a force to be reckoned with on defense.

What’s Going on with the First - Half Scoring?

In their last six games, the Blue Devils have fallen behind by at least 10 points in the opening minutes against the Kansas Jayhawks, Auburn Tigers, and Louisville Cardinals. Tuesday’s battle against George Mason was no exception, as they scored fewer than 30 points before halftime for the second straight time. After Flagg and Proctor made early 3 - point looks, Duke missed 13 of its next 14 shots, allowing the Patriots to stay in the game. While some of this can be attributed to George Mason’s defense, the Blue Devils also let many open looks slip through. It’s clear that there is something off about the offense in the early stages of games.This trend is not a one - off occurrence. The Blue Devils have struggled to get their offense going in the first half in multiple games, and it’s becoming a cause for concern. Coaches and fans alike will be looking for solutions to improve the team’s performance in the opening minutes.

Okay, Now It’s Time to Panic about the 3 - Point Shooting (Except for Isaiah Evans)

Isaiah Evans has been a bright spot for the Blue Devils, shooting 50% from distance in his freshman season. On Tuesday night, he went three - for - six to maintain this impressive rate. However, the rest of the roster has struggled from 3 - point range. In fact, the combined shooting percentage from Kon Knueppel, Caleb Foster, and Mason Gillis is just 6/21 (28.6%), with a combined 1/10 from 3 - point range. Each of these players entered the season with hopes of shooting 40% from distance, but they have been cold for nearly a month despite having many uncontested looks.It’s difficult to know what the solution is when the team has finished below 34% from 3 - point range in four of their last five games. There doesn’t seem to be a specific culprit other than variance, but the lack of consistent 3 - point shooting is a major concern. This aspect of the team’s game needs to improve if they want to be more successful in the future.

Cooper Flagg Should Drive Toward the Rim More Often

This might be a personal preference, but it seems that Duke’s star player, Cooper Flagg, is settling for too many floaters and mid - range jumpers instead of driving toward the rim. In his 2/11 opening half on Tuesday, he often stopped or spun to create separation when he already had momentum. Although he is not the most muscular player, he is a phenomenal finisher and has made 37.1% of his shots over the last five games. By driving toward the rim more often, he could potentially increase his scoring and create more opportunities for his teammates.Flagg has the skills and athleticism to be a dominant force near the basket. Coaches should encourage him to be more aggressive and take advantage of his abilities. This could lead to a significant improvement in the team’s offense.

Flagg, Maliq Brown, and Khaman Maluach Are the Best Offensive Rebounding Trio Around

Despite shooting 27.3% from the floor in Tuesday’s first half, the Blue Devils managed to build a nine - point lead. This was largely due to the outstanding offensive rebounding of Flagg, Maliq Brown, and Khaman Maluach. The trio combined for eight offensive rebounds before the break, including an amusing sequence where Flagg tipped three balls in a row straight to himself before a foul call.Duke’s height gives them an advantage on the glass, but the ball instincts of these three players are what truly set them apart. They are all incredibly skilled at leveraging their bodies and batting the ball up in the air, giving their teammates another chance even if they can’t grab the rebound themselves. This skill has turned losses into wins in the past and will be crucial in tournament games.