Player: Jeremy Roach
Class: Junior
Position: Point Guard
Last Year’s Stats: Roach may have started out a little slow but started to really elevate his play towards the end of the season, playing a critical role for the Blue Devils. In the end, he averaged 8.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and shot 41 percent from the floor.
Once again though, the Blue Devils will look quite different from last year, bringing in a loaded freshman class that certainly has the talent to make a run for a title. But what will be incredibly important for Duke and Coach Scheyer will be the proven commodity of junior Jeremy Roach leading the charge. Roach really elevated his play towards the end and was one of the key reasons why Duke made it to the Final Four, as he finished playing in 39 games last year.
Now, Roach will be counted on by the coaching staff to bring that veteran leadership to the floor with all the young talent around. He will have some help with some key transfers coming in for Duke but the familiar face will be with Roach and the staff will for sure want the ball in his hands. They would be hoping to see more of what Roach provided during the NCAA Tournament, where he increased his average to nearly 12 points per game, three assists, and three rebounds while also getting after it on the defensive end.
With the new coaching staff at Duke, they should rely a lot on what Roach can provide, not only what he provides on the court but also as a leader both on and off the court. He will have a lot on his plate in helping the transfers and freshmen adjust to how things are done in Durham but Roach will need to provide that in what could be a big year for the junior.