How Duke basketball can get back on track against feisty Pittsburgh

Duke basketball must find a way to slow down Justin Champagnie

One of the best players, if not the best, in the ACC resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and his name is Justin Champagnie.

After recovering from a knee injury ahead of his 6-8 week timeline, the Brooklyn, New York native posted 24 points and 16 rebounds on 9-of-18 shooting from the floor in 34 minutes.

Through seven games this season, Champagnie is averaging 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game for Pittsburgh and is in serious contention for the ACC Player of the Year Award.

However, there is more than one Champagnie that is making his name known in college basketball this season as Justin’s twin brother, Julian Champagnie, is leading the Big East Conference in scoring at 20.7 points per game with the St. John’s Red Storm.

If Duke cannot find a way to neutralize the 6-foot-6, 200-pound sophomore, it will create more opportunities for other role players on the Panthers like Xavier Johnson and Au’Diese Toney.

Wendell Moore, Jalen Johnson, Jaemyn Brakefield, and even Jordan Goldwire might get a shot at trying to defend Justin Champagnie in what will be one of the key matchups to watch on Tuesday night.