Duke basketball freshmen overtake veterans in latest season development
Duke basketball players who improved its stock against Illinois
DJ Steward
Following his season-opening debut, DJ Steward struggled to hit his shots and looked overmatched on defense.
As Duke tried to mount a comeback against Illinois, Steward started to hit some midrange shots and then work out to the perimeter.
The Chicago native ended the night with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor and 3-of-5 from 3-point territory.
Five turnovers will be an area of improvement for Steward, and he found himself passing up open shots in the second half when Duke needed the freshman to hit some momentum-changing shots.
After being reinserted into the starting lineup, perhaps Steward has become more comfortable and will be able to consistently stretch the defense more with a reliable outside shot.
Jeremy Roach
Jeremy Roach found himself on the ‘Stock Down’ list following Duke’s loss to Michigan State, but the freshman point guard was able to elevate his game for the veteran-led Illini.
Coming off the bench, Roach finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and seven assists on 5-of-11 shooting from the field, missing his lone 3-point attempt.
Perhaps Mike Krzyzewski was speaking about Roach following the loss to the Spartans when the Hall of Famer said most of his guys had not been in games like that yet.
As bad as Roach was in last week’s defeat, he was good on Tuesday, although not enough to change the result of the game.
Jeremy Roach joined a group of Johnny Dawkins, Jason Williams, Quinn Cook, Tyus Jones (twice), Tre Jones (twice), and RJ Barrett as Duke freshmen with at least seven assists and no turnovers in a game.
More will be needed from Jeremy Roach in his freshman season if Duke wants to have a positive response from its .500 start to the year.
Jordan Goldwire
It was tough trying to find a third person to place on the ‘Stock Up’ list following Tuesday’s game, but it’s Jordan Goldwire who gets the nod over Matthew Hurt.
Hurt led the Blue Devils in scoring with 19 points and seven rebounds on 8-of-15 shooting, but he missed all six of his 3-point attempts.
However, despite a putrid offensive night, Goldwire was a star in the first half defending National Player of the Year candidate Ayo Dosunmu.
As Illinois jumped out to a 21-8 lead, Dosunmu had not scored for the Illini because Goldwire would not leave his side and give him room to breathe.
The junior guard was able to finish with eight points at halftime, four of which came from the free throw line.
A player as great as Ayo Dosunmu was able to get more room in the second half to operate as Duke tried to speed up the game and create turnovers, finishing with a team-high 18 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists on 6-of-11 shooting, missing both of his attempts from 3-point range.
Six of Dosunmu’s 18 points came from the free throw line.
If Duke wants to be successful, Jordan Goldwire has to be a complementary piece on the offensive end, not a player who ends the night with nine field goal attempts.
Goldwire ended with five points, two rebounds, four assists, and four steals on 2-of-9 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point shots.
Jordan Goldwire is a defensive stalwart, not an offensive weapon, and that’s how Duke has to view him going forward.