Duke Basketball: Analyzing the Blue Devils’ rotation for 2018-19

Center

Minutes Allocated (40 total): Marques Bolden (20), Zion Williamson (12), Javin DeLaurier (4) and Antonio Vrankovic (4)

Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter took 61 of the team’s 80 average frontcourt minutes last year. And with there being questions as to how viable Williamson will play at the college level as a “big man”, that gives opportunities for the rising juniors to have breakout campaigns.

That being said, that won’t stop Coach K from playing him as an undersized center. Although he’s small height-wise, regular big men can’t guard him if he takes them off the dribble. They can’t back him down either on the other end thanks to his frame. Williamson with Barrett, Reddish, Jones and Baker on the perimeter and fastbreak could be a “death lineup” on offense for Duke.

For a traditional lineup, Bolden will finally get to start on a regular basis. When Bagley was out, the former five-star center played very well in his place. Per 40 minutes, Bolden averaged 11.9 ppg and 11.0 rpg while blocking three shots a night. Sometimes highly touted athletes need multiple years to develop before showing the promise everyone believed they had. He could ultimately be the only true post player on the roster next season.

Duke will have one of the best perimeters in all of NCAA Basketball for 2018-19. The key will be the frontcourt consisting of Williamson, DeLaurier and Bolden. If they can pull their weight and balance things out, the Blue Devils will be eyeing another Final Four appearance.