Switch Off: Duke's defense shifts into a new gear

Duke dials up its switch frequency in a dominant defensive performance against Pitt's Jaland Lowe and Ish Leggett

Throughout the early portion of the season, Duke’s No. 1 defense faced a variety of different tests — some better than others. The Blue Devils were dominant defensively on the road against the size and offensive rebounding power of Arizona. Auburn scored 1.24 points per possession in the December matchup in Cameron Indoor, but Duke managed to do enough off-ball switching to disrupt the rhythm of Auburn’s modified Flex offense, which still ranks No. 1 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.

In the neutral site portion of the schedule, Duke struggled at times with its transition defense in the loss to Kentucky in Atlanta. Kentucky’s 5-out offense gave Duke’s half-court defense trouble at times, too. Two weeks later, Duke’s approach was good in the matchup with Kansas; however, the Jayhawks, KJ Adams especially, made the Blue Devils pay with timely.

As the calendar flipped to 2025, Duke faced two Top 25 offense: SMU and Pittsburgh. In each contest, Duke held its opponent to under 1.0 points per possession and sub-40 percent shooting on 2-point attempts, albeit with two rather different styles of play.

After deploying center Khaman Maluach primarily in drop coverage — placing him below the level of the screen — when defending SMU’s pick-and-roll attack, Duke switched things up against Pitt — literally.

Switch Pitt-er

Duke’s defense is no stranger to switching. The Blue Devils switch most exchanges/screens 1-4. When Maliq Brown is in a center, Duke switches 1-5 with comfort, and Maluach will be used in this capacity, too, though those moments are more situational and occur later in the shot clock.

To tackle Pitt’s talented and explosive offensive, though, Duke opted to switch almost every screen — regardless of position. It’s now January, and this was easily Duke’s most aggressive single-game switch approach of the season. It produced fantastic results, too.

In some ways, this was similar to what Duke did two seasons ago vs. Pitt at Cameron. Trailing at halftime, the Blue Devils elected to switch 1-5 ball screens against a collection of talented veteran guards. This game was a significant hinge point that season for Duke, with Dereck Lively coming off of the bench to be a game-wrecking switch defender.

Lively found his groove around this point in the season, and Duke took off as a one of the most efficient defenses in the country. That 2023 win over Pitt helped Duke find its defensive identity, whereas the 2025 win reinforced just how potent and versatile the Blue Devils can be on that side of the floor.

As always, Jeff Capel’s team is a sophisticated pick-and-roll offense, one with multiple on-ball creators, including one of the best point guards in the country in Jaland Lowe, and multiple dangerous screeners, like the 6-foot-10 Cam Corhen (67.3 2P%) and 7-foot Guillermo Diaz Graham (57 3PA).

The Panthers entered the game shooting 59 percent on their 2-point attempts through the first 14 games of the season, including a sizzling 76.3 percent at the rim, one of the best numbers (100th percentile) in the country, per CBB Analytics.

To avoid getting into rotations when hedging ball screens (Duke’s primary coverage when Maliq Brown is in at the 5) or giving Pitt’s Ishmael Leggett clean pull-up 2-point attempts with Maluach in drop coverage, the Blue Devils switched around and kept the ball in front (for the most part). As a result, the Panthers struggled to develop a consistent rhythm and get to their normal spots, scoring a season-low 0.73 points per possession and shooting just 12-of-38 on their 2-point attempts (31.6 2P%).

It was a cold night of winter weather in Durham, but the frigid shooting of the Panthers may have lowered the overall temperature by a few more degrees. According to CBB Analytics, Pitt shot 7-of-15 on field goal attempts at the rim (46.7 FG%), well below the team’s season average. Further from the rim, things were even more of a challenge: Pitt connected on only 5-of-23 2-point attempts outside of the restricted area, which translates to an icy 21.7 percent.

This performance marks the eighth time this season that Duke’s defense, which ranks No. 3 nationally in effective field goal percentage (41.3 eFG%), has held an opponent under 40 percent shooting on 2-point attempts. It’s also the fifth game this season that Duke’s held an opponent under 0.75 points per possession.

Right off the jump, the tone was set. Here’s the first possession of the game. Pitt tries to run 5-out Zoom action (down screen into a dribble-handoff) with Corhen and Ishmael Leggett.

This play would normally force the center (guarding Corhen) to handle the dribble-handoff portion Zoom action: hedge, drop coverage, switch, or play up at the level. However, Maluach and Sion James already switched an off-ball screen between Lowe and Corhen earlier in the possession. With James now on Corhen, it’s easier to switch out a guard onto Leggett. Tyrese Proctor does an excellent job fronting Corhen in the post, and the possession ends with Leggett attempting a difficult runner in the lane as the shot clock is set to expire.

Maluach is known for his ability to be a deterrent at the rim — for obvious reasons. The 7-foot-2 freshman has blocked 3.3 shots per 100 possessions this season. With Maluach on the floor this season, Duke’s opponents have shot a lowly 49.6 percent at the rim — with only 27.3 percent of their field goal attempts coming inside of 4.5 feet from the hoop. In those 289 minutes, Duke has allowed under 89 points per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 99th percentile in CBB Analytics lineup data. These are dominant numbers and they explain why — more often than not — the defense will want Maluach in the paint, closing off that rim. That’s why drop coverage is such a natural fit for Maluach.

That said, before he arrived at Duke, Maluach showed that he had some ability as a switch defender during his time with the South Sudan national team, including going up against Anthony Edwards, one of the most explosive on-ball creators in the world.

Maluach isn’t as nimble in space as Brown, who has outlier quickness and hand speed for a defensive 5, but with good mobility and a gigantic wingspan, he can hang.

Lowe (29.1 3P%) settles a bit on this possession, jabbing into a deep 3-point attempt with time still left on the shot clock, but Maluach does his job after the switch: no unnecessary gambles, stay in front of the ball and contest the shot without fouling.

This possession also highlights the importance of a physical, strong guard defender like James, who is able to front Corhen — an industrious interior scorer (8.1 points in the paint per game) and offensive rebounder — and close the possession down with a rebound.

The flexibility to switch 1-5 depends on more than just the center being functional in space along the perimeter. Conversely, the guards and wings must also be able to hold serve in the paint against opposing centers.

James is one of the strongest guards in the country, but there’s great length throughout the rotation in Durham, which speaks to the defensive upside of a starting perimeter trio of James (6-6, 225), Proctor (6-6, 183) and Knueppel (6-7, 217). That type of positional size unlocks lineup and scheme versatility, creating a level of comfort when switching 1-4 or 1-5. With those three on the floor together this season (190 minutes), Duke has allowed only 86 points per 100 possessions and 41 percent effective shooting, both of which rank in the 99th percentile nationally, according to CBB Analytics.

This configuration proved to be valuable vs. Pitt, especially given how much Duke was switching — both on and off the ball.

Of course, success with the 1-5 switch relies heavily on team-wide communication. The defense must talk and be ready to rotate. When Duke’s switch is at full hum, it’s because the Blue Devils are talking and taking away any potential air space while offensive players comes off of screens.

There’s only one ball screen on this possession — right at the very end — but as Pitt tries to launch its Flex action, Duke — with Brown at the 5 — is on a string, seamlessly switching the off-ball actions. The possession ends with Cooper Flagg creating a deflection, which further highlights Duke’s ability to not only switch effectively, but to also be in gaps when the offense looks to drive or pass.

If there’s a miscommunication, though, it can result in a breakdown and an open offensive player. As good as Duke was against Pittsburgh, there were some mistakes, too, which will happen.

For instance, Maluach switches out on Lowe, but Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans (who is making real strides with his team defense) botch a weak-side exchange; as Damian Dunn cuts through, Evans leaves Brandin Cummings in the corner, anticipating that Foster will switch off of Dunn and out to Cummings. That results in an open catch-and-shoot 3-point attempt for a good shooter. Duke compounds the issue by failing to box out Corhen, who scores on the put-back attempt.

With the center pulled away from the rim, the offensive glass is a vulnerability when switching 1-5. For the most part, though, Duke controlled the glass, rebounding 78 percent of Pitt’s missed field goals. As always, Cooper Flagg was a monster in this category, pulling down nine defensive rebounds.

Taking away the automatics

When matched up with a good offense, even a talented defense like Duke can’t take away everything. Corhen is one of the most productive bigs in the ACC, and he put together a solid line at Duke: 11 points, five 2-point field goals, four offensive rebounds, three blocks and two steals. If you’re Duke, though, you can live with that if it means keeping the guards and spot-up shooters in check.

For the matchup with Pitt, Jon Scheyer and Jai Lucas, Duke’s defensive coordinator, made it a priority to make life difficult for Pitt’s top two scorers: Lowe and Leggett. Outside of Duke and UNC, this is probably the best backcourt in the ACC, especially when factoring in Cummings and Dunn, two talented bench guards.

The law offices of Lowe and Leggett combined to shoot 3-of-19 from the field (15.7 FG%), 1-of-11 on 2-point attempts (9.1 2P%) and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc (25 3P%). Moreover, Lowe and Leggett managed to attempt only one free throw while also recording a combined six turnovers.

This is the power of the switch, mixed with Duke’s high-end talent and scheme execution. Plus, by keeping Lowe and Leggett out of the paint, it took away some of Pitt’s kick-out opportunities.

Veteran wing Zack Austin has been on a heater this year in his role as a low-usage, low-mistake spot-up shooter: 10.5 percent turnover rate, 43.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc. At Duke, though, Austin struggled: five points, 1-of-4 3-point attempts and three turnovers, a single-game high for him this season.

Over the course of the past two seasons, Lowe and Leggett have carved opponents up with a variety of ball-screen sets. While they’re both struggling with their outside jumpers this season, Lowe and Leggett are still the catalysts for an explosive offensive. To get get things moving, Pitt runs a lot of good actions to bend the defense and then flow those guys into the screening action.

In early offense, Pitt runs a lot of “Pistol” series, which is a 5-out offensive setup that’s launched with a guard-guard screen/exchange. This allows Lowe and Leggett to work off of one another in the action. It’s then followed by another ball screen from the 5, working in quick succession with the 1, which is usually Lowe. Given Lowe’s left-hand dominance, Pitt often runs this series on the right side of the floor, so the southpaw can dribble left off of the ball screen from the 5 and get to the middle of the floor.

I refer to this action as “Pistol Chase”: the guard-guard action followed by the empty-corner ball screen.

Pitt runs Pistol Chase here at Ohio State. The Buckeyes switch the guard-guard screen between Lowe and Amsal Delalic, but when Corhen lifts over to set the empty-corner pick, Ohio State looks to “Ice” or “Weak” the action — pushing Lowe to his right hand and away from the middle of the floor. This is a good approach, but Lowe is a slippery escape artist. He manages to split the coverage, snake back across the ball screen and get into the paint for a layup.

Good defense, better offense

Starting with its staff, Duke had this action scouted and was ready for Pitt’s Pistol set. Here in the first half, you can see Capel hold up his right hand and make the signal for Pistol action. As the camera pans left to right, look at Duke’s bench: multiple coaches, staffers and players hold their hands up, too, calling out the Pistol action.

Now that Duke knows what’s coming, it still has to stop it, and that’s not always easy with Lowe.

As Leggett screens for Lowe, Proctor and and James switch: Proctor takes Lowe and James, momentarily, has Leggett. The play develops further: Leggett comes off a brush/flare screen from Corhen as he runs over to set the ball screen for Lowe. James and Brown switch the flare action, with Brown now on Leggett and James on Corhen. As Corhen sets the naked-corner ball screen for Lowe, James is once again able to switch out on Lowe. No advantage has been created and Duke has its best on-ball defender — James — back on Pitt’s point guard. The Panthers find a matchup they like with Proctor fronting Corhen in the post. As Corhen catches in the mid-post and the back-side help arrives from Knueppel, Pitt can’t quite hit the cut opportunity.

Corhen’s pass slips through the hands of a cutting Austin — perhaps influenced by the rotations of Flagg and Brown, who sprint to the rim.

Later in the first half, it’s another Pistol Chase setup, although this time Lowe and Leggett flip their roles. Once again, as Duke’s staff signals out the action, the Blue Devils switch everything. Corhen posts up against Proctor. Pitt manages to generate a rare clean rim finish as Leggett slips to the paint — with Brown and Proctor mishandling the switch — and Flagg being a step late to contest at the rim.

Here in the second half, it’s the same thing after a made free throw: Pitt goes to Pistol with Lowe initiating. Capel makes the signal, which is immediately followed by Maluach and Flagg making the same hand gesture.

Duke switches both of the screens again. This time, though, as Corhen posts up on Proctor, Duke appears to have made an adjustment: Knueppel comes well off of Austin in the weak-side corner and is in the paint to help Proctor with Corhen.

From there, Duke’s talent and communication take over. Lowe is able to hit a crossover and get into the paint vs. James, but he’s stymied when Knueppel executes a “Peel” switch. This “Peel” tactic is when a help defender (Knueppel, in this case) switches to a driver (Lowe) who has beaten his initial defender. The original defender (James) will “peel off” his man (Lowe) and rotate to the open off-ball player (Austin).

This is high level stuff from Knueppel and James, nailing the Peel switch in the flow of the play against two talented offensive players: Lowe, an excellent driver, and Austin, a supremely athletic weak-side cutter.

Under siege all night, Lowe and Leggett misfire. As Lowe drives, he expects Leggett to relocate into space on the left wing. Leggett, however, opts to circle back to the top of the key. It’s a small but costly error as Lowe’s kick-out pass careens into the boards along the sideline, resulting in a turnover.

Another pick-and-roll staple for Pitt under Capel has been its “Chin” ball-screen offense. Teams can run a lot of different stuff out of the Chin; however, Pitt primarily uses it to run some action and move the defense around before initiating spread pick-and-roll.

Bub Carrington got to cook with this action last season, but Leggett is now the go-to recipient of Chin pick-and-roll. He’ll start things by running off of a down screen on the left side of the floor. That’s followed by a pass to Leggett from Lowe, who will then cut toward the paint off a back screen from Corhen.

After setting the back screen, Corhen will lift up and set a ball screen for Leggett. That’s the Chin action.

Going up against Radford, Pitt’s Chin works to perfect. As Lowe cuts off the back screen from Corhen, Radford’s center sinks into the paint to deny a potential pass to a cutting Lowe. This, however, puts the defensive 5 a step behind the play as Corhen lifts to screen for Leggett. As Leggett dribbles right off of Corhen’s pick, Radford’s center scrambles to get out on the ball. Leggett (83 FG% at the rim) takes advantage and splits the defenders, driving for a downhill finish in the restricted area.

If the defense drops its center against the ball screen, Leggett can look for a midrange jumper.

Here, with Stanford’s Jaylen Blakes defending at the point of attack, Pitt starts its Chin action with a strong-side dribble-handoff between Lowe and Cummings, which the Cardinal switch. Corhen sets the back screen for Cummings, who passes off to Leggett on the left side. As Corhen gets ready to screen for Leggett, Stanford tries to “Weak” the ball screen; Oziyah Sellers angles his body between Leggett and Corhen’s screen, an effort to push Leggett to his weaker left hand. Corhen quickly flips the angle of his screen, chipping Sellers on his right side, and allowing Leggett to get to the next level. Maxime Raynaud is in a deeper drop below the level of the screen, which means Leggett has time and space to get to his pull-up jumper.

According to CBB Analytics, Leggett is shooting a solid 39.4 percent on 2-point attempts outside the paint this season, with a large portion of his field goal attempts (18.3 percent) coming in that range.

When Pitt ran this Chin set down the stretch of a close game at Ohio State, former Blue Devil Sean Stewart switched out on Leggett and got a stop, forcing a tough midrange jumper.

During the matchup in Durham, Duke was ready for Pitt’s Chin series. Once again, as the Panthers bring the ball up the floor, Duke’s bench signal in the action — pointing to their own chins. James and Proctor mirror this on the floor as they point to their chins, too, while Dunn tries to initiate the set.

Corhen sets the back screen for Dunn, which Duke switches: Maluach takes Dunn and James gets Corhen. When Corhen sets the ball screen on Flagg, Duke can again switch James back out to the set’s primary ball handler, which is Cummings. There’s nothing for Cummings to attack; going at James 1-on-1 isn’t a great idea. Cummings kicks the ball to Leggett in the right corner, but Proctor is there. With no real advantage created, Leggett has to go and try and make something happen. He attacks Proctor 1-on-1, but James is in the gap to help and Maluach swoops in like a condor to contest/alter the shot.

Pitt tried to get creative with its Chin series to scramble matchups and find some oxygen on offense, but the results were mostly middling. Still, Capel and his staff showed some creativity and flexibility.

On this possession, Pitt mixes things up. Instead of having Corhen set the back screen and ball screen, he starts the possession by setting the initial down screen for Leggett on the left side of the floor, which creates a switch that Pitt wants: Maluach on Leggett. After that, there’s no second screen, which in theory would allow Duke to switch again and get either Flagg or one of the guards on Leggett, a better scenario for the defense.

Without a screen, Leggett uses his first step and blows by Maluach. It looks like Leggett has a crease to get all the way to the rim, but this is where Duke’s excellent help defense springs into action: James sees Leggett’s drive, leaves Lowe and rotates over to the rim — contesting Leggett with perfect barrel-chested verticality. This contest forces Leggett to hang in the air and adjust his shot, which buys Maluach — who never gives up on the play — time to recover and delete this attempt at the hoop.

With conference play underway, another challenge awaits Duke later this week — even in a down year for the ACC. Notre Dame, which has its offense orchestrated by the creative Micah Shrewsberry, has scored above 101 points per 100 possessions in five straight contests, including three ACC games.

Markus Burton, the team’s best playmaker, returned to the lineup last Saturday after missing six weeks of action following a foot injury in November vs. Rutgers. He scored 23 points and dished out four assists in his return game against UNC.

When matched with Burton last season, Duke mixed up its coverages across two games — using a blend of drop coverage (the base defense), hard hedges, up at the level and some switching, with Kyle Filipowski taking Burton. The 1-5 switch wasn’t the primary defense against Notre Dame, but it was mixed in.

Going forward, I don’t envision that the 1-5 switch will become Duke’s base defense, although it’s a nice, matchup, lineup or situation-dependent card to play, especially in the minutes with Brown at 5.