Duke basketball problems could be fixed by one player

The problems surrounding the Duke basketball program could be solved by one player. 

Things have not been running very smooth for the Duke basketball program as of late.

Aside from a convincing victory over Florida State on December 31, the Blue Devils have been stagnant offensively and loose defensively.

However, could No. 24 Duke’s (12-4, 3-2 ACC) struggles this be tracked back to the play of one player?

Jeremy Roach has been bothered by a toe injury since late November and has already missed two games this season while he is expected to be sidelined on Wednesday night against Pittsburgh.

There have been games this season in which the junior captain has been spectacular leading the Blue Devils to victories but in each of its four losses Roach has struggled this year.

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The Leesburg, Virginia native is averaging 10.7 points per game in Duke’s defeats this season and shooting 14-of-45 (31.1-percent) from the floor and 2-for-14 (14.2-percent) from 3-point range.

Roach’s poor play can even be traced back to a Blue Devil victory in its first game of the Phil Night Invitational when it barley squeaked by Oregon State after adding just seven points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field and 1-for-7 from distance.

Duke basketball lacking impact floor general

Duke did perform well against Maryland Eastern Shore when Jeremy Roach was initially sidelined with his injury but Boston College nearly pulled off the massive upset of the Blue Devils with Roach off the court.

It remains uncertain when Jeremy Roach will return to the lineup for Duke but head coach Jon Scheyer was adamant that the team will give him as much time as he needs to fully recover as he knows it’s vital for the Blue Devils to have its floor general healthy.

Dariq Whitehead is starting to find his groove for Duke and a point guard like a healthy Jeremy Roach could be just what the Blue Devils need to get its groove back to play good basketball.

Tipoff between Duke and Pittsburgh (11-5, 4-1 ACC) is slated for 7:00p.m. ET (ACC Network) inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.