Jay Bilas breaks down Duke vs. Arkansas Elite Eight matchup

Arkansas already knocked off one top team en route to its second straight Elite Eight appearance. But if the Razorbacks want to make the Final Four, they’ll have to topple another one: Duke.

On College GameDay Saturday morning, Jay Bilas offered his keys to the matchup for both teams. He specifically pointed to the paint as an issue for both teams because Duke has to stop JD Notae and Arkansas has to stop Jeremy Roach and Paolo Banchero.

“Protect the paint for Arkansas, get into the paint for Arkansas,” Bilas said. “Those are the things they have to do. When Jeremy Roach drives it and can collapse a defense and kick it, Duke’s really effective. And Paolo Banchero driving the ball, he’s more effective driving it. When he shoots it off of Roach’s penetration, he’s been great. When he can drive it and get into the paint, he’s been great.

“Arkansas has found different ways to win. They’re not a great shooting team. JD Notae was 3 of 19 on jump shots in his last game. It took 29 shots to score those 20 points. I think Arkansas’ got to get to the free throw line. They can make shots, it’s not that they can’t. They can make shots. But they’re not a great shooting team. It’s not something I’d rely upon. But they can get to the foul line, and I think they need to get to the foul line against Duke.”

Seth Greenberg: Duke has to contain JD Notae

Seth Greenberg responded to Bilas and agreed with him, noting Arkansas’ shooting woes from the field. He also pointed out a key stat that could make the difference for the Razorbacks.

“JD Notae’s 19 for his last 63,” Greenberg said. “Yet he’s their most important player offensively because he gets inside the defense. I think containing JD Notae, keeping him out of the lane and defending him without fouling, because if he can get downhill off that high ball screen that Duke struggled defending … then, all of a sudden, you get the offensive glass. Then, all of a sudden, you’ve got a kick-out where now, all of a sudden, Wade’s shooting step-in threes.

“I agree with Jay. Defending the basketball, keeping them out of the lane and getting in the lane. Duke’s got to contain Notae. You don’t contain Notae … he lives in the lane, they’re getting to the glass and they’re shooting step-in threes. And I think that’ll be the difference in the game either way.”