Kon Knueppel: Breaking the Slump

Kon Knueppel needs to embrace the mantra that “shooters shoot.” The key to breaking out of his current shooting slump is persistence and confidence. However, Jon Scheyer and the Duke coaching staff can play a critical role in helping Kon regain his rhythm by making tactical adjustments to free him up for cleaner looks.

Defenses have been aggressive against Knueppel, assigning athletic, strong, and quick defenders to disrupt his game. Opponents are top-locking him, running him off the three-point line, and staying physical, making it difficult for him to find space or create off the dribble. To counter this, Scheyer can implement more creative off-ball actions within Duke’s offensive sets.

Incorporating backdoor cuts into their flare screens, floppy actions, and pin-down plays could help Knueppel exploit overzealous defenders and find easier scoring opportunities. Additionally, keeping him in constant motion could wear down defenders, eventually creating openings for him to knock down a big shot and regain his confidence. With the right balance of strategy and persistence, Knueppel can get back to doing what he does best—making shots.