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Duke Basketball: 5 Things to Watch Approaching the ACC Tournament

By Stuart Gill

Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after a teammate scored in the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after a teammate scored in the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) passes the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) passes the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Grayson Allen‘s ankle, mental state in question

Due to an ankle injury, the junior guard saw limited action (16 min) in Duke’s recent game against Florida State, scoring just 2 points, while freshman Frank Jackson logged a career-high 22.

Then last Saturday, Frank Jackson started while Allen came off the bench to score 14 points. The switch underscores yet another tough lineup decision that Coach K has been faced with this season, and it leaves Duke’s postseason fate quite ambiguous.

After being dubbed the preseason Wooden Award favorite, Allen has faced his toughest season yet. After tripping Elon’s Steven Santa, he became the nation’s most talked-about player and was stripped of his co-captaincy.

His production has suffered (he is shooting 39 percent as opposed to last year’s 46), and Duke’s season has taken a few hits as a result. But he can redeem himself with a good performance in this ACC tournament. Watch for Allen to play with even more emotion in the coming week.

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