One question mark fogs two Duke basketball recruiting races

Could an inexperienced head coach keep the ultra-experienced Duke basketball head coach from acquiring a couple of crucial 2020 targets?

The 247Sports Crystal Ball shows both five-star center Walker Kessler and four-star power forward Henry Coleman eventually joining Duke basketball’s 2020 recruiting class. The Blue Devils could certainly use both — and then some — considering the expected scarcity of returning big men on the 2020-21 roster.

But one competitor for both, Michigan’s Juwan Howard, presents a relative unknown and is becoming a legit obstacle to Duke’s efforts. Sure, the former Fab Five post player has zero experience as a head coach. But after accepting the job for the Wolverines following last season, the 46-year-old was able to convince a 2019 four-star and a 2020 four-star to remain committed; he then quickly hauled in another 2019 four-star.

Also, as of late, Howard has Michigan landing on recruits’ lists of finalists left and right. One such list is Kessler’s final six: Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, Auburn, Gonzaga, and Cal. Another is Coleman’s final five: Duke, Michigan, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State.

Furthermore, Kessler — a 7-foot, 235-pound Georgia native who ranks No. 15 on the 247Sports Composite — will take an official visit to Michigan the weekend of Aug. 31 and be among the roughly 107,000 folks inside Michigan Stadium for the football team’s season opener. A week later, during his official visit to Duke, Kessler will be among roughly 15,000 fans in Wallace Wade Stadium as the Blue Devils take on North Carolina A&T.

Meanwhile, Coleman — 6-foot-7, 220-pound Virginia native who ranks No. 38 — will be at Duke the weekend Kessler is at Michigan. He has not yet scheduled a Michigan visit but intends to soon.

The primary issue Duke faces when it comes to Howard is his growing popularity among today’s elite prep prospects — particularly centers and power forwards. Many have watched ESPN’s Fab Five documentary and now think of the star power forward as the ultimate player’s coach.

Howard was a McDonald’s All-American and in the spotlight the moment he entered college, so he can relate in several areas to those he is recruiting. Adding to his draw is his 19-year NBA career, which ended in 2013 following back-to-back championships with the Miami Heat.

But in the eyes of Hunter Dickinson — a 2020 center who was at one time on the Duke basketball radar — Howard’s biggest appeal is his inexperience as a recruiter, meaning he doesn’t use some tired spiel.

"“He’s pretty new to the game, you can tell,” Dickinson recently told Orion Sang of the Detroit Free Press. “He doesn’t have the recruiting game yet. But that’s fine. I understand. He’s not really used to this…That’s not a knock on him…I feel like he’s a real genuine guy. I appreciate that.”"

Of specific concern to the Blue Devils, though, is Coleman’s recent lofty praise for Howard.

"“I like what Coach Howard is starting and how [Michigan] could be back on top really quick,” Coleman explained to USA Today’s Jason Jordan. “Because he is a guy who knows basketball inside and out.”"

Of course, Duke has a head coach with his fair share of basketball knowledge — as well as four decades of experience warding off foes on the recruiting trail.

That being said, Howard does appear to be the top threat to Mike Krzyzewski in landing two of the 2020 bigs he most wants — and needs.

The Duke basketball coaches also have 2020 offers on the table to five-star small forward Ziaire Williams, four-star shooting guard D.J. Steward, and four-star center Mark Williams. They already hold commitments from two 2020 five-stars: small forward Jalen Johnson and point guard Jeremy Roach.

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