Here are my keys to the game for Duke to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

1 - Limit turnovers In the games Duke has lost this season, they've been careless with the ball.  The Blue Devils have been doing a better job in this area of late as young players continue to get to know one another.  Trevon Duval has been especially better of late in that he is not forcing the ball through the teeth of a defense.  Duke is at its best when everyone values each possession and takes care of the ball.  Patience is a must against a zone defense like Syracuse will employ.

2 - Hit your free throws - All you have to do is look at Kentucky's loss to Kansas State to realize how missed free throw attempts can cost you the game.  The Wildcats outrebounded their opponent and held them to a low shooting percentage, but missed front ends of one and ones.

3 - Get back on defense - The zone is only good if the entire team plays in a cohesive manner.  There have been times when the wings are open due to a player not getting back in time.  Duke did a fantastic job against Syracuse in the first match up but adjustments will have been made by the Orange who will look to get some points off the break despite the fact that it is not a team strength.

4- Get the lead, build the lead and keep the lead - The one thing Duke has been doing a good job of thus far in the tournament is gaining a lead,building on it and holding it.  They had a little help in holding it in their last outing where Rhode Island got careless with the ball.  They cannot depend on this happening moving forward and must show a killer instinct.  That means...

5- Focus, from start to finish - Duke never plays well when it comes out flat.  They can no longer depend on crazy successful comeback like they had early in the season in tournament ball.  Duke needs to play every minute of every game moving forward.

I suppose one might think knocking down your three-point shots should have made the list.  Well, Duke hit just two of them against Syracuse in the first matchup while earning a double-digit win. Both teams will likely have a better night beyond the three-point stripe.

Duke won ugly in that first game and this could be a similar outing.  Syracuse will look to shorten the game while being efficient with each possession.  Duke will look to run when it can but must be willing to have patience with its half court offense.

The Blue Devils are a double-digit favorite, so they must guard against over confidence and frustration if they must alter their game plan.  Duke should have an advantage inside on the offensive end, especially if the three-point shot falls early on.