Duke Basketball: Stock up, stock down after first Canadian game
Stock Down:
Marques Bolden – Expectations were high for Marques Bolden coming into the 2018-19 season and although it’s mid-August, Bolden did not show anything special in the Blue Devils win over Ryerson University on Wednesday night.
The junior big man had his only shot attempt of the night partially blocked as he did not score in the 19 minutes he saw on the floor.
Bolden also was only able to pull down three rebounds on Wednesday night.
However, the De Soto, Texas native did swat two shots but also committed three turnovers.
R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson carried the load on Wednesday night, but going forward the Blue Devils needs production out of Bolden especially if he wants to stay in the starting lineup like he was against Ryerson.
Bolden needs to show some improvement on Friday night against the University of Toronto in order to calm the nerves of some Duke fans.
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Jordan Goldwire – With Tre Jones out for the entirety of the Canada Tour, Jordan Goldwire has the chance to win the backup point guard role outright.
As the injury to Alex O’Connell gave Goldwire an extra opportunity to showcase his skills, but he didn’t take advantage of the chance by only scoring one point in 28 minutes of play.
Goldwire did not make a shot from the field out of his five attempts and missing both of his three point attempts.
However, Goldwire did show the ability to throw his body around in the paint as he grab six rebounds and was able to record two steals and dish out one assist.
Goldwire did commit two turnovers but with two games in Canada still remaining, he has the chance to improve and build off this game in order to secure the backup point guard role with the Blue Devils.
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Alex O’Connell – Alex O’Connell makes the Stock Down list by none of his own cause.
O’Connell left very early in the first quarter on Wednesday night against Ryerson University as he suffered a orbital floor fracture after he was hit in the face on a dunk attempt from a Ryerson player.
The sophomore guard is primed for a big season and the Canada Tour was going to be the preview of what is to come in November, but due to the injury he will not play in the remaining two games North of the Border.
The timetable for O’Connell’s injury puts him in line to be back for practices in the fall but it’s unfortunate that he will not be able to play during the rest of the Canada Tour.
O’Connell was in the starting lineup on Wednesday night and depending on how Coach K wants set up his starting five in the regular season, O’Connell could find himself back in the starting lineup or could be the sixth man off the bench.