Duke Basketball Players With the Most to Prove in the NCAA Tournament
As the Blue Devils enter the NCAA Tournament as one of the favorites to capture the National Championship, there are still several players who have a lot to prove despite their high seeding.
Duke recently won the ACC Championship without Cooper Flagg for part of the tournament due to an ankle injury. Flagg is expected to return for Friday’s Round of 64 game, but he won’t be one of the players on this list. In fact, Flagg has little left to prove in the tournament. Even if Duke were to lose in the first round, Flagg would still be the top pick in June’s NBA Draft, and the same would apply if he led Duke to a title.
Now, let’s look at the players who have something to prove in the upcoming weeks, beginning with the team’s leaders.
Tyrese Proctor
Tyrese Proctor has been a reliable player for Duke this season. He was one of only two returning players from last year’s team, but his personal journey ended poorly. During the Elite 8 loss to NC State, Proctor missed all nine of his shots, including five 3-pointers, and failed to score in the 10-point defeat. This was a disappointing finish for Proctor after his strong offensive showing in the opening weekend and his clutch defense in Duke’s Sweet 16 victory over Houston.
Now, Proctor enters the NCAA Tournament with the best supporting cast he has ever had at Duke. There is no longer Jeremy Roach to rely on if things go awry. This is Proctor’s team, and he must show he can lead in high-stakes situations.
Khaman Maluach
Khaman Maluach has started every game for Duke this season and remains an important part of the team. However, he always had the security of Maliq Brown behind him in case things became overwhelming. Now, after Brown likely being sidelined for the season due to a re-dislocated shoulder in the ACC Tournament, Maluach will need to adjust to the challenges posed by different teams in the NCAA Tournament.
Despite fouling out late against North Carolina in the semifinals, Maluach played well on both ends of the floor during the ACC Tournament, and Duke saw freshman Patrick Ngongba rise in Brown’s absence. Duke’s frontcourt will be young entering March Madness, which could be a disadvantage, and Maluach will be crucial for the team’s continued defensive strength, which has been a hallmark of their season.
Kon Knueppel
The idea that Kon Knueppel couldn’t compete against power conference teams is now a thing of the past. After struggling in games against Kentucky and Kansas, Knueppel could have been the ACC Player of the Year if not for Flagg’s presence. He proved his value in the ACC Tournament with Flagg out, but now the intensity of the NCAA Tournament presents a new challenge.
While Knueppel’s efficiency in college is not in question, there is growing talk about his potential success in the NBA based on his performances at Duke. As a projected Top-10 NBA pick, some scouts question whether he has the traits to be a franchise player, suggesting he might only be a role player at the next level due to his elite shooting ability.
Could Knueppel change the minds of NBA scouts during the tournament? It remains to be seen, but a strong performance against elite teams could show he is more than just a product of playing alongside Cooper Flagg.