Predicted stats for six Duke basketball forwards next season

Ranking six forwards on the 2020-21 Duke basketball team: Matthew Hurt

Inconsistencies from Matthew Hurt as a Duke rookie seemed to revolve around a mix of factors:

1. The former five-star stretch-four from Minnesota, who had averaged more than 35 points per game as a high school senior, had difficulty finding his role; not being the centerpiece of an offense was surely a major adjustment.
2. He was too skinny upon arrival, reportedly struggling to benchpress 135 pounds at the time, leaving himself at a severe disadvantage against all the physical forwards in the ACC.
3. His average level of intensity wasn’t quite on par with what Mike Krzyzewski demands.

With 2019-20 NABC National Freshman of the Year Vernon Carey Jr. no longer around to gobble up touches down low, Hurt should be in line for more prolific outings as a sophomore. Assuming he adds some beef to his frame this summer and returns to Durham ready to get to work, his unique 3-point fling — even staunch critics of it have trouble denying that 39.3 percent from deep as a freshman isn’t too shabby — could be a nightmare for Duke’s foes from fall through spring.

Predicted production next season for Matthew Hurt (four key averages): 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks