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The NCAA Tournament is in full swing, and Duke men’s basketball has once again stepped onto the big stage, looking to make another deep run. In the first round against Mount St. Mary’s, the Blue Devils came in as favorites, boasting a talented roster filled with future NBA prospects. However, as the first half played out, it became clear that Mount St. Mary’s wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

With 40 minutes still to play, let’s break down five key halftime observations from Duke’s opening-round matchup and what they need to adjust moving forward.

1. Duke’s Fast Start Set the Tone, But Consistency Was an Issue

Duke wasted no time asserting their dominance in the early minutes of the first half. They came out aggressive, fast-paced, and efficient, attacking the basket and setting up clean shots.

  • The ball movement was fluid, allowing shooters to find open looks.
  • Duke’s transition offense was effective, leading to fast-break points.
  • They executed their half-court sets well, capitalizing on Mount St. Mary’s defensive gaps.

However, as the game progressed, Duke’s offensive consistency dipped. A few careless turnovers and rushed possessions allowed Mount St. Mary’s to stick around. Instead of building a commanding lead, Duke left the door open for their opponent.

What They Need to Do in the Second Half:

Duke must focus on playing smarter possessions, ensuring they don’t settle for tough shots. Running their offense through their most reliable scorers will help them regain control.

2. Mount St. Mary’s Defense Kept Them Competitive

Although Duke has superior talent and athleticism, Mount St. Mary’s played tough, disciplined defense, which helped them keep the game within reach.

  • Full-court pressure forced Duke into some uncomfortable situations.
  • They clogged the passing lanes, making ball movement more difficult.
  • Duke’s outside shooting was well-contested, limiting their three-point efficiency.

Mount St. Mary’s zone defense disrupted Duke’s usual offensive rhythm. They challenged every shot, making sure Duke didn’t get too many easy looks.

What Duke Needs to Adjust:

Duke must be more patient against pressure and avoid unnecessary turnovers. Finding ways to break the zone—either through quick ball movement or attacking gaps in the defense—will be critical in the second half.

3. Duke’s Size Advantage Helped Dominate the Paint

One of the biggest advantages Duke had coming into this game was their size and physicality. That was evident throughout the first half, as they dominated inside the paint.

  • Rebounding was a huge strength, giving Duke multiple second-chance opportunities.
  • Interior defense forced Mount St. Mary’s into taking tough contested shots.
  • Duke’s big men controlled the tempo, finishing around the rim with ease.

Mount St. Mary’s simply didn’t have the size to match up, leading to points in the paint being a crucial factor in Duke’s early success.

What to Watch for in the Second Half:

Duke must continue utilizing their post players and ensuring their inside dominance translates to a higher field goal percentage. If they can keep winning the rebounding battle, they will control the game’s tempo.

4. Perimeter Shooting Was Inconsistent

While Duke’s interior game was solid, their outside shooting was another story.

  • Several open three-point attempts failed to fall.
  • Mount St. Mary’s closed out on shooters well, forcing Duke to adjust.
  • Three-point efficiency could become an issue if the game remains close.

Duke has some strong shooters, but when they are not hitting shots from deep, it affects their overall offensive rhythm. Their spacing gets tighter, making it harder to score inside.

Second-Half Strategy:

Duke needs to find better three-point looks through improved ball movement. They must ensure their best shooters—who have proven to be reliable from beyond the arc—get quality attempts rather than forcing contested shots.

5. Second-Half Adjustments Will Decide the Game

Although Duke led at halftime, the game wasn’t completely in their control. Mount St. Mary’s played with heart, taking advantage of Duke’s mistakes and missed opportunities.

For Duke to put this game away and advance comfortably, they need to focus on:

  • Minimizing turnovers by making smarter passes and handling defensive pressure better.
  • Sustaining offensive momentum by maintaining good shot selection.
  • Tightening up perimeter defense, as Mount St. Mary’s might try to capitalize from beyond the arc.

Coach Jon Scheyer and his staff will need to make effective halftime adjustments to ensure Duke doesn’t let their opponent gain any confidence.

Duke’s Key to Success:

If Duke can clean up their execution, they should be able to pull away in the second half and secure a strong first-round victory.

Final Thoughts: Duke Must Stay Focused to Move Forward

The NCAA Tournament is known for surprising upsets and unpredictable momentum shifts, and Duke must ensure they don’t become a victim of complacency. Despite being the stronger team, nothing is guaranteed in March Madness.

With Mount St. Mary’s still within reach, Duke must:

✅ Play smarter basketball—fewer mistakes, better execution.
✅ Use their size advantage—dominate rebounds and inside scoring.
✅ Find consistency in shooting—especially from three-point range.

If they can correct their first-half mistakes, the Blue Devils should advance with momentum on their side.

For now, all eyes will be on how Duke responds in the second half. Will they take control and cruise to victory, or will Mount St. Mary’s continue to fight until the final buzzer?

Stay tuned for more March Madness updates and analysis on Focus Global News!