Duke is right where it needs to be right now, heading into the second week of March Madness, but there’s some more doubt around the program than there was when entering the NCAA Tournament.
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf ranked Duke No. 3 in the updated championship chances heading into the Sweet 16, adding that while Duke is still very good, it has some questions to answer after a weird first weekend, which included barely beating No. 16 Siena.
“Too often, we discuss analytics as if they're advanced algebra equations that can confuse more than clarify the game. It's unfortunate, because analytics can tell us a lot about the difference one player can make for his team. Case in point: With Caleb Foster sidelined by injury, Isaiah Evans has become the second-most impactful offensive player on Duke's roster behind Cameron Boozer, per EvanMiya. Evans also is the third-most significant defensive presence for the team with Patrick Ngongba II (13 minutes against TCU on Saturday) still not at 100%.
“Duke is back in the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years largely because Boozer is the best player in men's college basketball; he has recorded 41 points (including shooting 66% from inside the arc and 18-of-19 from the free throw line), 24 rebounds and seven assists in the NCAA tournament so far. But Evans (16.5 points per game) has stepped up for a short-handed Duke squad at the most crucial juncture of the season and has left his mark,” he wrote.
With Patrick Ngongba II still working his way back and not fully healthy, Duke has needed someone to fill those gaps. Duke will continue to need that if he can’t go this week.
I think Duke has a chance to win this game but St. John’s is a lot better than I think people are giving Rick Pitino’s squad credit for. We already know that the Johnnies will come out and be very physical on the defensive side of the basketball.
Cameron Boozer will need to be at his best and will have a very tough game in doing so due to the type of defense Pitino and his squad play.