Minutes Are Precious At Duke

You have to earn them and then keep them too.

Without consulting stats, we can project several characteristics shared by any ACC leader in average minutes played per game. The first is that he will not be an interior player. The second is that he will not lose playing time to silly fouls. The third is that his presence on the floor is a comfort to his coach. The last is that he will not be at Duke.

Among the few enduring criticisms of Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching was that, talk of depth and extended defensive pressure notwithstanding, he usually limited effective personnel to six or seven players. Few coaches exceed that range of usage. (Wake’s estimable Dave Odom likewise rhapsodized about the pace a prospective squad would embrace in the late 90s, only to stray little from past practice.)

This despite, in Coach K’s case, recruiting talented prospects almost annually, thereby creating internal pressure for playing time among both newcomers and veterans (such as they are these days). Krzyzewski used to speak of the fierce nature of intra-squad competition, likening it to regular game pressure. Now it’s largely assumed at Duke.

Long-term it’s uncertain how Jon Scheyer will address doling out playing time to members of a gifted roster. Last season, Scheyer’s first piloting the Devils, 8 players averaged at least 15.9 minutes. Jeremy Roach – seasoned, reliable, and tough on-ball defender — led Duke with 33.2 minutes per game. His minutes played in 2024 were identical after 13 outings and stood sixth-most in the ACC.

This year, through early January, Duke is using 6 players for at least 25 minutes, 8 for 11-plus minutes. You can see why his coach considers Roach indispensible, as reflected by his PT (playing time). The senior’s value was further clarified when backcourt mate Tyrese Proctor missed 3 games with an ankle injury, and part of a fourth, and Duke won each outing.

Roach, who can attack the basket via dribble or punch in a 3, is hitting .520 from the floor (10^th in the ACC through Jan.3), .488 on threes (second), .822 at the foul line (11^th ACC). He averages 14.54 points, second on the team and 20^th in the conference. Roach also has three assists for every turnover, a ratio tied for fourth in the ACC.

All easily redeemable in playing time.