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Duke Basketball: Projected rotation and minutes for 2022-23 season

By Tristan Freeman

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Jeremy Roach Duke Basketball (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Jeremy Roach Duke Basketball (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Point guard

Projected starter: Jeremy Roach (31 mpg)

Few players in recent Duke memory had as big an in-season turnaround as Roach, who went from 14 straight double-digit scoring games and eventually losing his starting point guard job, to being arguably the MVP of the team’s Final Four run. That includes 15 points against both Texas Tech and Michigan State and clutch baskets to seal the wins.

In each of the last two years, Roach has split the point guard duties with Jordan Goldwire and Wendell Moore. But this season, the rising junior ball-handler has the lead guard position to himself. On one hand, having a veteran point guard is what this young Blue Devil roster needs. On the other hand, Roach’s inconsistencies won’t be easily covered up and he can’t get benched this time around.

Roach’s scoring ups and downs won’t be a big issue if the supporting cast is good offensively. But what can’t be inconsistent is his passing and overall leadership. He may not be the most talented player on the roster but Roach may end up being the most important in March.

Reserve: Tyrese Proctor (9 mpg) – In case of emergency/injury: Jaylen Blakes

Unless Duke felt that former top-100 recruit Blakes was ready for minutes, they needed to add at least one more ball-handler to backup Roach. Proctor, a 6’4 combo guard out of Australia that is 19 years old, was the ideal option to reclassify and join this season. If he can give Duke around 10 mpg of solid point guard play when Roach is on the bench, that’ll work just fine.

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