Duke basketball: Jon Scheyer made correct decision on Jeremy Roach

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer made the right decision about Jeremy Roach. 

It came as a surprise when the Duke basketball team took the floor on Saturday afternoon against Maryland Eastern Shore without junior point guard Jeremy Roach, but it was the right decision from head coach Jon Scheyer.

Roach has been battling a toe injury since the Blue Devils fell to Purdue on November 27 and has played a total of 98 minutes since the injury in three games.

However, after his incredible 22-point showing against Iowa on December 6 the rest against Hawks will limit the captain to just one game in two weeks.

Duke will have another 11-day break following its matchup against Wake Forest on December 20 before it takes the floor against Florida State on December 31.

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“[Jeremy Roach] will be okay for our next game,” Scheyer said following the 82-55 victory on Saturday.

“He’s been playing through pain. He hasn’t been able to practice. He hasn’t been able to do extra work. This is the one chance we had for him to get back to 100-percent.”

Scheyer said that he had to go to his captain and talk with him about sitting out of the game because of his character and competitiveness wanted to continue playing through his injury.

Roach will be held out of practice for a few days to allow his toe injury to fully heal.

Duke basketball makes program history in absence of Jeremy Roach

Duke started five freshmen for the first time in program history against Maryland Eastern Shore as Dariq Whitehead, making the first start of his Blue Devil career, replaced the injured Jeremy Roach.

Tyrese Proctor added 15 points while logging just 26 minutes in the victory as the primary point guard.

Jeremy Roach is averaging 13.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 38.9-percent from the field.

Tipoff is slated for 6:30p.m. ET (ACC Network) on Tuesday night between the Blue Devils and Demon Deacons.