Duke basketball: Four features fueling underappreciated Blue Devils
By Matt Giles
2. Buffet of healthy options
Leading up to the season, Mike Krzyzewski repeatedly spoke of the 2019-20 Duke basketball team as being one of his deepest to date. Yet based on his past tendencies, folks had a tough time believing the all-time wins leader would maintain a 10-man rotation through March.
Through January and halfway into February, though, Coach K has for the most part been a man of his word in terms of minutes distribution. And at the moment — knock on wood — the top 10 Blue Devils are all injury-free.
Nine of the 10 have started at least one game. Each of the 10 is averaging at least 12 minutes per game. None of the 10 are major liabilities — at least not consistently (even junior guard Alex O’Connell has heated up and made beneficial plays as of late).
Granted, only a few of the 10 are hot NBA commodities. On the other hand, roughly half are capable of displaying flashes of greatness in any given outing; meanwhile, the members of the other half are fully capable of fulfilling their specific duties.
ALSO READ: Three reasons officiating often favors Blue Devils
Sure, rarely do they all fire on all cylinders at the same time on offense. But that’s OK, for now. Besides, the success without them all clicking in unison — third among 353 teams in Division 1 in points per game at 82.6 — has been promising. So just imagine what might happen if all 10 pieces do stay healthy and then do indeed stay planted at their peaks a month from now.
They’d be hunting banners with arguably the nation’s deepest arsenal, not to mention what is already admirable cohesion…