Duke freshman Cameron Boozer has been nothing short of spectacular this season, shining brightly for the Blue Devils. But as Duke gears up to face the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines, Boozer will need to elevate his game even further to help engineer an upset.
A key area for Boozer to focus on is rim protection. While he's been a force offensively in the paint, his defensive prowess near the basket has room for improvement. This becomes even more critical against a Michigan team that's been relentless at attacking the rim, averaging over 40 points per game in the paint.
To keep pace with the Wolverines, Boozer, alongside center Patrick Ngongba and power forward Maliq Brown, will need to step up defensively. Their presence in the paint will be crucial in keeping Duke competitive.
However, Boozer's defense isn't the only factor in Duke's potential success. The Blue Devils must also maintain their efficiency at the free-throw line and limit Michigan's opportunities there. Additionally, Duke's knack for creating second-chance opportunities, with nearly 12 offensive rebounds per game, will be vital.
On defense, Duke faces the daunting task of containing Michigan's stars Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara, who together average 25.6 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. They're supported by Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau, both consistent double-digit scorers.
In essence, for Jon Scheyer's squad to secure a victory over the No. 1 team, everyone on Duke's roster will need to deliver their best performance of the season.