The supreme Duke basketball lineup as Jalen Johnson returns
By Matt Giles
Duke basketball’s No. 1 option at the one-spot: Jeremy Roach
As has also been the case for a couple of names to come in this proposed Duke basketball lineup, Jeremy Roach had a shaky month of December. Plus, at times, the freshman has either disappeared or shown to be a turnover machine (2.4 per game, including five in an 83-82 win over lowly Boston College on Wednesday).
Nevertheless, Roach, whose skill set is fairly deep but doesn’t include one specific specialty that pops out, has recently proven to be a solid scorer, improving facilitator, and willing defender.
Since getting his feet wet during his relatively disappointing individual performances in the first three games of the season, Roach has managed to tally double-digit points in each of the past four games while playing at least 30 minutes in each. Across that span, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound point guard is averaging 12.8 points and 4.0 assists while shooting 55.6 percent from the field.
The former five-star prep out of Virginia is now exhibiting an impressive euro step, a total acceptance of his shifting roles, and a growing sense of confidence in his complete repertoire. Yup, along with two other guards, Jeremy Roach has earned a spot in this “death lineup”…