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Duke Basketball: Jack White not expected to return against Virginia Tech

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Jack White #41 of the Duke Blue Devils looks to pass during the first half of the game against Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Jack White #41 of the Duke Blue Devils looks to pass during the first half of the game against Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Basketball co-captain, Jack White, is not expected to return to the court on Friday night as the Blue Devils face Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16.

During his media availability on Thursday afternoon, Duke Basketball Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski said that junior forward and co-captain Jack White is doubtful to be back on the court on Friday night when the Duke Blue Devils play the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Sweet 16.

White missed both games against North Dakota State and UCF after suffering a hamstring injury in the second half of the ACC Championship game against Florida State on March 16.

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After starting the season very strong, White has struggled tremendously ever since ACC play started.

On the season he is averaging 4.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game, while shooting 36.4% from the field and a lowly 28.4% from 3-point range.

In the three ACC Tournament games, White played a total of 26 minutes and did not score. His last points came in the regular season finale in a loss in Chapel Hill to North Carolina.

However, White’s presence and availability would have been a welcome site for the Blue Devils as Duke has not been healthy fully healthy since February 16 in a win at home over North Carolina State.

The next game Zion Williamson sprained his knee and missed the remainder of the regular season and in that regular season finale, Marques Bolden sprained his MCL and would miss the entire ACC Tournament.

Williamson returned for the ACC Tournament, while Bolden was on the floor last weekend in the NCAA Tournament.

While White hasn’t had the scoring production he once had, it’s his defense and rebounding that have been missed in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament and as the games get tougher, Jack While could be needed for this Blue Devil team.

The Blue Devils will be playing Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16 with the right to go to the Elite 8 at approximately 9:39pm ET from the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.

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