Duke Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Blue Devils

Reserves

Alex O’Connell, Wing, Sophomore

O’Connell looks like Duke’s top reserve, even after playing sporadically as a freshman. The 6’6” wing had games where he played more than 20 minutes, but also had just as many games where he saw fewer than five minutes. He should see more consistent playing time this season, especially because his perimeter shooting will much needed on this year’s roster. O’Connell shot 49% from three (22/45) and it will be interesting to see if he can maintain such a great percentage with increased volume.

Marques Bolden, Center, Junior

Marques Bolden has had an undeniably disappointing college career thus far and he looked to be in the doghouse during Duke’s trip to Canada. Bolden was in the rotation last season and despite his limited action and effectiveness in Canada, he should see a similar role this season. The 6’11” junior averaged 3.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 1.0 bpg in almost 13 minutes per contest. He will likely back up DeLaurier at center, but could play more when Duke needs to use a bigger lineup. Bolden’s energy/activity defensively and on the glass will determine his playing time.

Jack White, Wing, Junior

White has seen very limited minutes in his first two seasons, but he could emerge as a consistent rotation player as a junior. With Reddish, Jones, and O’Connell sitting out the foreign trip, White was able to play significant minutes and he could realistically see a 10-12 minutes per game role. As Jay Bilas mentioned on the broadcasts this summer (ad nauseam), White is an excellent three point shooter and if he can hit shots in games like he can in practice, Duke will have yet another weapon on the perimeter.

Jordan Goldwire, PG, Sophomore

Goldwire turned some heads when he committed to Duke as many people thought he was headed to Eastern Kentucky. You don’t see those two teams on recruiting lists very often, but it shows that Coach K sees Goldwire as a valuable long-term asset. It is clear when watching Goldwire that he plays extremely hard and is good defensively. He could emerge as a backup PG for Jones unless Coach K wants to utilize Barrett in that spot for a big and versatile lineup.

Joey Baker, Wing, Freshman

Baker was a high-level recruit in the Class of 2019 before he decided to reclassify and attend college a year early. He was consistently one of the last players off the bench during Duke’s foreign trip which makes me think he could be a redshirt candidate. If Baker does not redshirt, he will provide even more three point shooting off the bench. The Duke bench is loaded with good shooters, but can they live up to their reputations and hit perimeter shots in games?

Antonio Vrankovic, Center, Senior

Vrankovic is the only scholarship senior and he will likely be out of the rotation once again. He is a big physical player but is not an ACC caliber talent. It does not hurt to have experienced guys like this on the end of the bench.

Justin Robinson, PF, Junior

Robinson is the son of former NBA superstar David Robinson and is a long lanky 6’9” stretch four. He is a good shooter and played more than I expected during the summer trip, but it is unlikely that he sees consistent minutes when the Duke roster is at full strength.