Duke basketball must make major changes against Boston College
Something must change for the Duke basketball team against Boston College.
The Duke basketball team will try and turn the page from its dismal showing against North Carolina State on Wednesday night as it goes back on the road to face Boston College (8-7, 2-2 ACC).
The No. 16 Blue Devils (11-4, 2-2 ACC) are in no position to overlook an opponent given its current state but head coach Jon Scheyer needs to shake things up and send a message to his team.
Duke has been starting Jeremy Roach, Jaylen Blakes, Mark Mitchell, Kyle Filipowski, and Dereck Lively in recent games when all players have been healthy.
That has to change.
Scheyer should run out a starting rotation of Tyrese Proctor, Jaylen Blakes, Dariq Whitehead, Kyle Filipowski, and Ryan Young on Saturday afternoon against the Eagles.
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This lineup combination gives Duke production at all three levels of the court and the potential star power of Dariq Whitehead, who is looking healthy after recovering from offseason foot surgery.
Tyrese Proctor seems more comfortable with the basketball in his hands and has played primarily off the ball with Jeremy Roach on the court this season and Proctor’s shooting has not been as prolific as many expected when he committed to the Blue Devils.
Ryan Young has been Duke’s best big man this season as Dereck Lively continues to struggle as the top ranked recruit while Jaylen Blakes provides an energy and toughness that should be continued to be rewarded with his presence in the starting lineup.
Duke basketball must get captain back on track
The biggest worry surrounding Duke over the last two weeks has been the play of junior captain Jeremy Roach.
Roach was injured late in the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament but did not miss a game until the Blue Devils battled Maryland Eastern Shore on December 10.
The sitting of Roach seemed like a great decision from Scheyer as the guard would only play two games for the rest of the month but he has not performed well in the three games since returning and it’s troubling for the Blue Devils.
Jeremy Roach is averaging just 7.3 points per game in that time span and is shooting 5-of-26 from the field.
Jon Scheyer continues to say that Roach is not fully healthy but Duke will not reach its peak this season unless its leader can return to the form he showcased last March in the NCAA Tournament.
Perhaps bringing him off the bench will serve as that wake up call.
Tipoff between Duke and Boston College is set for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. EST (ACC Network).