NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team frontcourts heading into 2021-22 season

With the exception of Matthew Hurt statistically, the entire Duke team struggled last season, missing out on the NCAA Tournament and seeing its whole freshman class go through more downs than ups.

One of them was Mark Williams, who looked as if he was on his way out of the rotation in the first half of the campaign. But he really came on in the last six games of last season, including four games of 18+ points. The former five-star prospect had 23 points and 19 rebounds in the final game of the season against Louisville and is a consensus breakout sophomore player for next season.

Joining him is No. 2 overall freshman recruit Paolo Banchero, a star forward that many believe has All-American potential. He’s an outstanding offensive talent, capable of scoring in every way possible, and could easily produce similar stats as Hurt, with more of an impact on the win-loss column. AJ Griffin is another top-10 overall recruit coming in, a 6’7 combo forward and an amazing athlete. His impact may not be as big as Banchero’s but will be a double-digit producer and two-way talent.

Add Marquette 5th-year transfer Theo John off the bench to provide a little bit of depth and experience off the bench and Duke’s frontcourt should have plenty of potential. This group may have the highest of ceilings compared to anyone if Williams goes through on the breakout aspirations.