Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Let the headlines from Duke’s 10-point victory over Connecticut talk about Jahlil Okafor’s double-double or Tyus Jones’ 21 points. The real X-factor in the win—and the season as a whole—for Duke was Amile Jefferson.

Jefferson finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal on the day and was even 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. He was there on the opposite block any time Connecticut threw one of numerous double-teams at Okafor and helped clean up the glass on both sides of the floor.

He and Okafor also both forced Connecticut’s big man, Amida Brimah, into early foul trouble, which changed the game for the Huskies. Brimah ended up with zero points and a single rebound and eventually fouled out after scoring 40 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in his last game.

Adam Rowe of 247Sports noted that Jefferson’s efforts were critical in the victory:

Jefferson’s impressive play Thursday night highlighted just how effective the Duke frontcourt can be when he is on his game. Both Okafor and Jefferson ended up with double-doubles and helped the Blue Devils outrebound the Huskies to the tune of 43-27. Duke had a distinctive advantage down low, which helped set the tone for the entire game.

Jefferson’s presence also took some of the pressure off Okafor when those double-teams forced him to get rid of the ball early in possessions.

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

It is no secret how effective Okafor is going to be all season with an NBA skill set and the ability to score against almost any defender in the country, dominate on the boards or drop in timely passes when double-teams come his way. If Jefferson can play as well as he did Thursday, the Blue Devils will have one of the best one-two punches in all of college basketball down low.

A dominant frontcourt from the Blue Devils should terrify the rest of the ACC, considering how much depth Duke has in the backcourt. Jones, Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Matt Jones and the versatile Justise Winslow are all marquee cogs in the Duke machine and will share plenty of the scoring responsibility with Okafor.

The primary reason why Jefferson is so important to Duke’s national title hopes is the lack of frontcourt depth behind Okafor. That becomes all the more apparent in games when Jefferson struggles because the Blue Devils don’t have many other answers down low.

Marshall Plumlee is the only other big guy on the roster outside of the two starters playing more than 10 minutes a game, and Mike Krzyzewski has used a small lineup at times this season with versatile players like Jefferson and Winslow covering plenty of space and making up for the lack of frontcourt depth.

Jefferson can even play the center spot in those small-ball looks because of his athleticism and size combination. His quickness got him to the free-throw line a number of times Thursday and allows him to get past defenders off the dribble or use his speed to get to rebounds before opponents.

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That type of explosiveness next to Okafor’s strength and ability to dominate gives the Blue Devils frontcourt multiple looks and skill sets.

The frontcourt performance was particularly critical Thursday night because the backcourt had serious issues dealing with the pressure defense that Connecticut is known for every time it takes the floor. In fact, the Blue Devils turned the ball over 22 times, including five for Sulaimon, four for Okafor and three each for Cook and Tyus Jones.

Ryan Boatright tallied four steals and hounded the Duke ball-handlers all game, which was at least some good experience before ACC play for Tyus Jones in particular. Still, the struggles with the press were concerning and kept the Huskies in a game that Duke should have easily won.

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

Alas, Jefferson’s performance helped stop the turnover bleeding and get the win.

What’s more, Duke fans have been treated to some early improvements from Jefferson compared to a season ago. His points per game, field-goal percentage, rebounds, free-throw percentage and minutes are all up from a season ago, which is encouraging and the telltale signs of an upperclassman turning the corner.

Jefferson’s improvements go beyond just the stats, though.

He looks more comfortable on the floor as a natural part of the offense and is also moving around on defense with Okafor stuck on the opponent’s best big man most nights. That is helping Jefferson grab more rebounds almost every night.

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

Ultimately, Jefferson is the X-factor for the Blue Devils because of the overall roster makeup. He doesn’t get nearly the attention that Okafor, Jefferson, Jones or even Cook or Sulaimon do, but he is incredibly important for a team that doesn’t have much frontcourt depth behind its superstar, Okafor.

Jefferson gives Duke an all-important second option down low, versatility in the lineup choices and an athletic presence who can take some of the pressure off Okafor. The Blue Devils will need him if they plan on cutting down the nets at the end of the season.

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