College Basketball Power 10: Time To Give Gonzaga Some Love
By Jeremy Karll
7. Duke (14-2)
Grayson Allen’s suspension only lasted one game, but Duke is now without head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Duke beat Georgia Tech and Boston College each by double-digits to usher in their couple of months without Coach K, but it’s still more change for a team that is still trying to find its identity.
Duke has quickly gone from the heavy national championship favorite to having close to no case for being considered a top five team.
Along with Coach K, Amile Jefferson will also miss Duke’s bout with Florida State with a bone bruise. The senior forward has been stellar for Duke this season, averaging 13.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
Harry Giles is starting to play heavy minutes now, but it’s a huge blow to Duke’s depth, nonetheless. Duke will have to rely on Giles and Marques Bolden, who each missed significant time to start the season, to make up for a double-double machine in Jefferson.
Duke is good, but they need to get healthy. It’s been their mantra all year and will continue to be. Although, it might never happen.
Their freshmen have huge tests on the road against Florida State and Louisville this week.