Duke Basketball: Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett breaking year long records
The two standout Duke Basketball freshman, R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson, are closing in on the most 25 point games as a freshman under Coach K.
Think about all of the great freshman that have played under Mike Krzyzewski.
Through 18 games this season R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson have proved to be two of the best, if not the best freshman that have played under Coach K.
In Tuesday nights victory over Pittsburgh, Barrett and Williamson both had their eighth game where one of the two had 25 or more points.
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The duo surpassed Brandon Ingram who had seven such games in the 2015-16 season and tied Marvin Bagley III who also accomplished the mark eight times last season.
Ingram played 36 games in Durham and Bagley played 33.
R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson have played 18, and for Zion its more like 17 and a half since he did not play in the second half against Florida State due to an eye injury and he had 11 points at halftime, and have already tied the record.
Both players scored at least 25 points against Kentucky, Virginia, and Pittsburgh, while Barrett also reached the mark against Stetson, Hartford, Yale, Princeton, and Florida State. Williamson’s other games with at least 25 points were against Army, Indiana, Clemson, Wake Forest, and Syracuse.
On the season, Barrett is averaging 23.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while Zion is averaging 21.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.8 blocks.
Barring injury, it is almost a guarantee that both players will surpass Bagley’s number and the only question that remains is who will be on top with the most games of 25 points or more as a freshman under Coach K when the season is over.
The dynamic duo has proven to be the best combo in the country and beginning to start the conversation of being some of the best players, not just freshman, in Duke Basketball history.
R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, and the rest of the Duke Blue Devils will be back on the court Saturday afternoon against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at 12:00 pm ET from Cameron Indoor Stadium and the game can be seen on the ACC Network.