Jon Scheyer expresses concerns as Duke prepares for Houston in the Final Four, showing deep respect for the Cougars.
Top-seeded Duke is preparing to face top-seeded Houston in the Final Four this weekend in San Antonio. It’s a clash between two of the most dominant teams in college basketball, but only one will get the opportunity to play for the national title next week.
Houston is consistently known for its tough, physical play, particularly on the defensive end. The Blue Devils will face a challenging task in trying to match the Cougars’ intensity and slow down Kelvin Sampson’s squad.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer spoke with Scott Van Pelt on “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt” last night, discussing his team’s preparation for the matchup with Houston. When asked what concerns him most about the Cougars, Scheyer had a lot to say.
“There’s a lot that concerns me,” said Scheyer. “First, their core group has been together for several years, so the experience and chemistry they have is incredibly strong. But what stands out is that they don’t beat themselves. You really have to beat them, and they make everything difficult on offense. Their defense is the real deal.”
Houston is traditionally known for its strong defense, but this year’s Cougars team might be one of the best offensively under head coach Kelvin Sampson. They rank second nationally in team three-point shooting at 39.7%. The Cougars boast three players shooting over 40% from beyond the arc.
Fifth-year senior LJ Cryer is averaging 16.7 points per game through the NCAA Tournament so far, and he will be a key player for Duke to focus on. The Blue Devils will aim to disrupt Cryer’s rhythm on offense in what promises to be an exciting battle between the two teams’ guards.
Duke has been solid defending the three-pointer throughout the tournament, with only one of their four opponents shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. The Blue Devils’ overall defense has been exceptional so far, but they will need to elevate it to a world-class level to contain Houston’s offense and match the Cougars’ physicality, especially when Duke is on the attack.
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