Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer is looking for improvements after a tough loss to Kansas and another lackluster performance in their win over Seattle. The Blue Devils’ next big test comes against No. 2 Auburn, and Scheyer wants his team to be more physical on defense.
Auburn’s 6-10, 240-pound center Johni Broome is a dominant force, and the Tigers start with several senior guards who have already beaten top-ranked teams like Houston, Iowa State, and North Carolina this season. Scheyer designed a schedule that aims to help his young team grow, but he can’t afford for them to be soft against Auburn.
Flagg and Knueppel are under pressure to step up as the freshmen duo is still adjusting to the collegiate game. Flagg’s late turnovers cost Duke in losses to Kentucky and Kansas, while Knueppel had a key turnover with three seconds left in that loss.
Tyrese Proctor emphasizes that plays throughout the game are the issue, not just late-game mistakes. “It’s a sum of the whole game,” he said. The Blue Devils must improve on rebounds, defense in transition, and overall execution to be prepared for their championship run in March.
Source: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article296444334.html