Duke basketball: Deleted tweets muddle Patrick Baldwin Jr. battle

Confusion heightens as Duke basketball awaits Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s choice.

On Tuesday, there was buzz over the Twitter profile of Hamilton (Wis.) senior small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. hinting his decision is made. Then on Wednesday, Tipton Edits — the account responsible for producing most high-profile prospects’ announcement graphics — tweeted and then quickly deleted the following words regarding the longtime Duke basketball recruiting target:

“My official Patrick Baldwin Jr. prediction: UW-Milwaukee to play for his father. Disclaimer: I have not spoken to Patrick about his college decision in any way, shape, or form. Would be absolutely shocked if he picks Duke. Hard to say no to your dad [Panthers head coach Pat Baldwin] — the man who raised you and taught you everything you know about your game.”

This came two days after Milwaukee picked up another 247Sports Crystal Ball pick, thereby adding to its perceived lead over second-place Duke and Baldwin’s other eight finalists: Georgetown, Kentucky, Michigan, Northwestern, UCLA, UNC, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

ALSO READ: Sizing up 3 legit contenders for Patrick Baldwin Jr.

Also this week, Blue Devil insider John Watson lowered the confidence level of his Baldwin-to-Duke forecast from 90 to 70 percent.

Outside of Twitter hints, the 18-year-old five-star phenom has not recently provided any clues as to when he will unveil his destination.

Recapping 2021 Duke basketball recruiting efforts

Patrick Baldwin Jr. is a 6-foot-10, 205-pound picture-perfect sharpshooter who ranks No. 4 overall on the 247Sports 2021 Composite and has held a Duke basketball offer since the summer after his freshman year of high school.

Needless to say, a loss in the Baldwin sweepstakes would be a disappointment for those Dukies who have been dreaming of yet another No. 1 recruiting haul to Durham next season.

Currently, the four-deep Blue Devil crop ranks No. 3, behind Michigan and Tennessee.

Still, Duke’s class is the only one in the nation boasting three five-star prospects: O’Dea (Wash.) power forward Paolo Banchero, Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) small forward AJ Griffin, and Paul VI (Va.) shooting guard Trevor Keels. And the program’s fourth 2021 signee is Blair (N.J.) four-star point guard Jaylen Blakes.