Duke Basketball: R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson best the NCAA has to offer

The star duo of the Duke Basketball team, R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson, have taken the country by storm and have become the best the NCAA has to offer its fans.

Once upon a time, there were two freshmen who became college basketball’s nightmare.

A pervasive nightmare for any team that steps foot on the court with them. It’s a story called, ‘The Two-Headed Monster in college hoops’.

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But when you think about a two-headed monster in college basketball, who comes to mind?

It may sound like a subjective question, but the answer should be relatively easy; R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson.

They’re not only a two-headed monster this 2018-19 NCAA basketball season; they’re two freaks of nature.

Both freshmen are on the verge of an All-American season predicated on their performances thus far.

Nearly every game this season, Barrett and Williamson have been a problem for opposing defenses, which is primarily an issue for coaches that are frightened by having to deal with two players whose offensive efficiency continues to sky through the roof.

But most NCAA coaches understand the difficulty of containing two talented young players with NBA skill sets.

Both Williamson and Barrett are averaging over 20 points per game; an astounding scoring average for two individuals fresh out of their high school locker rooms.

Here’s another question.

Do you feel they had NBA skill sets already at the high school level?

My answer is yes, and if they didn’t have the age rule both players would’ve been top lottery picks already. Moving forward, Duke dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 after a surprising four-point loss to Syracuse in early January; something no one expected, albeit the Blue Devils were without Cam Reddish and Tre Jones left early in the first half due to injury.

Since then, the Blue Devils revitalized their dominance winning six straight games, including one over then No. 4 Virginia, a team Duke will meet again this Saturday in Charlottesville.

However, what’s intriguing about this tandem is their willingness to improve under the instruction of head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Fans across the country are familiar with Coach K’s extensive resume in terms of developing players for the professional level .

But the developmental aspect is only one component; Coach K is the epitome of leadership. He always encourages his players to improve, whether it’s skills on the court, or character off the court.

Like I mentioned earlier, R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson have become a two-headed monster in college basketball this season. Hopefully, they’ll continue giving teams problems heading into March and early April.

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