The interesting aspect of the game was the possible resurgence of Duke’s strength with Tre Jones returning to top form. However, the standout feature was the exposure of Blue Devil’s weaknesses. Georgia dominated the first half, keeping Duke’s score low, showcasing evident flaws. Despite Duke eventually winning by 13 points, the game could have been more competitive if played for longer. Georgia Tech’s performance faded towards the end, highlighting a significant gap in abilities.
Duke struggled with perimeter shooting, lacking consistency. Even though RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, known for their scoring abilities, attempted shots from beyond the arc, they fell short. Georgia Tech matched this lackluster trend. Duke’s shortcomings in shooting were evident, particularly in crucial moments.
Duke’s bench options were limited in terms of shooters like Reddish and Barrett. This translated into poor shooting statistics, with only a few teams attempting more 3-pointers than Duke, albeit with lower success rates.
Duke’s weakness against zone defenses was glaring in this game. Georgia executed their game plan effectively, especially in the second half. According to ESPN, Duke has struggled in five games against teams employing strong zone defenses. Barrett’s performance helped Duke adapt in the second half.
