How Duke basketball can get back on track against feisty Pittsburgh

Duke basketball must find a role for Jalen Johnson

It’s anticipated that Jalen Johnson will be a full-go against Pittsburgh after injuring his foot prior to Duke’s game against Notre Dame.

Johnson did not play prior to the Blue Devils’ meeting with Virginia Tech but was listed as questionable before coming off the bench and playing four minutes in the loss.

With Johnson on the floor prior to his injury, the Duke offense was much more stagnant and reliant on iso-ball, something that became quickly known that this team is not good at.

Despite still having offensive struggles, Duke saw better ball movement with the five-star freshman off the floor and will have to create a role for him immediately on Tuesday night.

There is no debating that Duke is a better team with Jalen Johnson as compared to without him, but Mike Krzyzewski must work him into the flow of the offense and not run too many isolation sets like he has for Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Vernon Carey Jr. in past seasons.