Duke has been struggling mightly lately compared to where they were at the beginning of the season. With recent losses to Clemson, North Carolina, and Boston College, they have become vulnerable in certain aspects of the game lately. The strong defense that carried the team in December and January was nowhere to be found. Gerald Henderson bemoaned the Blue Devils' once-stout defense.
“They scored (almost) every possession they had for the last five minutes,” Henderson said after Duke lost 80-74 to Boston College. “I don't know how many points we gave up in the second half, but it was way too many.”
Here is what Coach Mike Krzyzewski says Duke can do better:
Don't let a failure to score on offense affect the defense, too. “Maybe if you're not shooting well or you're not hitting well, you can take that mind-set to the defensive end, and that may stop you from talking as well,” Krzyzewski said.
Re-establish a defensive attitude and pride. “I think what's missing a little bit for us is a sense of urgency to stop somebody,” Krzyzewski said.
Return to fundamentals. “It could be something as simple as your stance, how the team is talking to one another,” Krzyzewski said.
