Duke still isn't firing on all cylinders, even with Coach K back
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When Mike Krzyzewski returned from back surgery on Feb. 4, Duke was on a modest two-game win streak that would balloon to seven after the Blue Devils won another five straight and seemed like they had awoken from their slumber.
While playing under interim head coach Jeff Capel, the Blue Devils got worse across the board statistically, failing to play anywhere near the level of their preseason No. 1 ranking.
But even with Coach K back on the sidelines, the Blue Devils are still trying to fire on all cylinders.
| Pre-Coach K Surgery | Capel | Post-Coach K Surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| W-L | 13-2 | 4-3 | 5-2 |
| PPG | 84.7 | 79.9 | 73.0 |
| Opp PPG | 63.3 | 78.1 | 69.4 |
In seven games after Capel returned the reins to Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils have seen opponents score almost 10 points less per game, indicating a great improvement in team defense.
Still, the Blue Devils' offense has not returned to the form it enjoyed prior to Coach K surgery, managing an even lower points per game average than it did under Capel.
Digging deeper, one can see that Duke is lacking on the offensive side, while still not playing as good defensively as it did earlier in the season.
| Pre-Coach K Surgery | Capel | Post-Coach K Surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FG% | 48.6 | 48.1 | 44.8 |
| Shot Attempts | 60.9 | 55.3 | 56.4 |
| Opp FG% | 40.1 | 47.8 | 45.4 |
| Opp 3PT% | 28.8 | 34.2 | 28.1 |
| TO | 11 | 15 | 9.6 |
The Blue Devils shot the ball less under Capel, leading to a lower scoring output, highlighted by four more turnovers on average per game.
Those turnover issues have been cut down significantly since Coach K returned, but it hasn't led to better offensive numbers, as Duke's shot attempts have remained roughly the same, while its field goal percentage has plummeted.
The Blue Devils may be 5-2 since Krzyzewski returned to the bench, but they have been out-rebounded 233-230 in those seven games against competition that included Pitt, Clemson, and Wake Forest.
The wins over No. 5 North Carolina and No. 23 Virginia since Coach K's return have been nice, but outside of the home victory over the Tar Heels, Duke's other wins haven't been all that impressive, and its losses have been eyebrow-raising for a team with national championship hopes.
The Blue Devils have two games left: at home versus No. 15 Florida State and on the road against the Tar Heels.
Those two games - plus the ACC Tournament - are all that remain for Coach K and his players to figure their kinks out and begin revving up the engine for NCAA Tournament time.