NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Pros and cons of Mark Mitchell’s final 4 teams

Duke Blue Devils

Future head coach Jon Scheyer has been building up a quality first recruiting class as he looks to set himself up well in his first season at the helm after Coach K retires. They already have commitments from top-40 stretch big Kyle Filipowski and five-star wing Dariq Whitehead and are hoping to get Mitchell as well.

Pros

Even without Coach K on board, the Duke Blue Devils will still remain a top-tier NCAA Basketball program with all the prestige involved. The Name, Image, and Likeness (N.I.L.) factor only makes them even more alluring for star recruits, and assuming their class comes together, Mitchell would be joining a Final Four contender. And assuming that current five-star freshman AJ Griffin is only around for one season, the small forward spot would be available for 2022-23, even if Wendell Moore came back for his senior season.

Cons

Similar to Alabama Football, there truly aren’t any downsides to play for Duke if you’re going to be a starter and get plenty of minutes. Yes, last season was a disaster but no five-star recruit thinks that’ll happen to them as long as they’re around. But it’s a fair concern about how good Coach Scheyer will be leading Duke. He doesn’t have the same resume as a Mick Cronin or a Bill Self so will Mitchell be willing to risk his likely lone NCAA Basketball season with an unproven coach?

Also, Whitehead is capable of playing at the two-spot but may be most comfortable as a wing. Could that cause issues with Mitchell who is also more comfortable there?