NCAA Basketball: Top 25 most impactful freshmen for 2019-20 season

6) Matthew Hurt, PF, Duke

For as good as Duke was last season, their inability to shoot from the perimeter kept them from making the Final Four (and nearly saw them get knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the first weekend).

This year, Duke may also have a problem spacing the floor. Tre Jones is working to improve his jumper this offseason and both Joey Baker and Alex O’Connell are expected to play roles off the bench but, unless they can improve defensively, won’t be able to play extended stretches.

Incoming freshmen wings Wendell Moore and Cassius Stanley are both more defensive-minded prospects at this point in their development and make most of their offensive impact attacking the rim.

That is why Hurt is going to be so valuable and impactful for this version of the Blue Devils. At 6-9, he’s a true stretch four that excels from long-range. He can do plenty of other things – he’s surprisingly effective off the dribble and can score in the post as well – but his best asset for Duke is being one of the nation’s best shooters.

Hurt will force opponents to respect him on the perimeter, creating space for fellow five-star big man Vernon Carey Jr. to operate down low and for Jones/Moore/Stanley to attack the basket.

Without him, Duke would’ve faced the same problems they did a year ago but with a less talented roster. With him, Duke’s offense opens up a bit more and will make everyone more effective.