The Blue Devils will kick off regular-season play Friday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium against Marist and face a quick turnaround before a game against Grand Canyon Saturday evening. After blowing past Virginia State and Augustana to in its exhibition slate, Duke faces injury concerns heading into the regular season. The Blue Zone takes a look at a player from each team who could be the difference-maker in the weekend's games:
Duke: Center Chase Jeter
With freshmen Marques Bolden and Harry Giles sidelined due to injury, sophomore Chase Jeter is set to open the regular season as the team’s starting center. Jeter made his first career start for the Blue Devils in last week's exhibition against Augustana, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting and 12 rebounds. The sophomore big man looked comfortable playing alongside graduate student Amile Jefferson and was able to control the paint for the Blue Devils.
Jeter can be a disruptive force inside, acting as the team’s primary shot blocker and rebounder for as long as Bolden is injured. With Duke’s plethora of talent on the perimeter, Jeter should be able to benefit with easy scoring opportunities in the paint as well as chances off of offensive rebounds. Given his limited role last season, the Las Vegas native will look to salvage his opportunity to stay in the rotation at least until his teammates are fully recovered.
Marist: Guard Khallid Hart
The redshirt senior was the Red Foxes' leading scorer last season, averaging 20.3 points per game to go along with 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Hart also led the team in 3-pointers made and minutes played, rarely leaving the floor with 36.5 minutes per contest. The Newark, Del., native will provide the Blue Devils' guards with a tough defensive assignment, as he is capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. Marist's two leading scorers both shot better than 38 percent from 3-point range last season and are back this year, which will put Duke's perimeter defense to the test in the season opener.
Grand Canyon: Guard Joshua Braun
Braun was the Antelopes' leading scorer last season, averaging 16.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and shooting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-4 redshirt junior led his team last season in free throws made and attempted as well as 3-pointers made and attempted. The guard’s ability to drive to the paint and score will test Duke’s perimeter and interior defense and will give the Blue Devils valuable experience against athletic backcourt threats.
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