Kennard Blossoms Into a Star at the Garden

Luke Kennard blossomed into a star in front of everyones eyes

on basketballs biggest stage, Madison Square Garden. Last night

Kennard scored 29 and that was following a 35 point performance on

Saturday against Maine. When the media discussed Duke this

offseason the names mentioned were Grayson Allen,

Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum. However in sports and in life you

have to be prepared for adversity when it comes your way. Giles wasnt

expected to be ready to play at the beginning of the season, but after

Tatum went down in Dukes preseason Pro Day the Blue Devils were

facing a scenario that wasnt on their radar, and to top things off Allen

has been playing banged up since preseason.

Last night the Duke Blue Devils and Florida Gators squared off at

Madison Square garden. The game was tight for the majority of the

first half. Senior guard Casey Hill kept Florida in the game. Senior

Amile Jefferson and Sophomore Luke Kennard carried the majority of

the load in the first half.

Duke fans were excited to see Tatum on the court. This 2016

Gatorade High School Player of the Year made his season debut

Saturday against Maine. It was clear that Tatum was rusty when he

initially entered the game. But as all great players do they play

themselves back and boy did he do just that. Tatum exploded in the

second half, and showed why he is believed to be a future top 5 NBA

draft pick. He spent the majority of the night playing at the 4 beside

Amile Jefferson. Tatum gives Coach K the versatility at the 4 position

that he loves. Tatum is able to defend 1-4 and can play 1-4. Tatum

finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds.

Now lets talk about the Captain Amile Jefferson. The 5th year

forward from Philadelphia has been the rock of the Duke team this far.

This was expected because he has picked up right where he left off

before he got hurt. People questioned how he would fit in with this

crowded frontcourt. However with the injuries to Giles, Tatum, and

Marques Bolden Jefferson has only had to share the front court with

Chase Jeter who he himself has spent time on the shelf this season.

Amile Jefferson finished with career high 24 points and 15 boards.

Luke Kennard is becoming an early candidate for National Player

of the Year. The sophomore guard from Franklin Ohio has been big time

for Duke. He came to Duke with high expectations after all he finished

his High School career second in career points scored in Ohio, he

scored 300 more points than LeBron James did in his high school

career. Kennard was always likely to see a good quality of minutes this

season. But after the injury to Tatum and Jeter duke essentially went

to a 6-man rotation. Therefore Kennard has been playing north of 30

mins. Per game. This past offseason Kennard spoke on how he is

viewed as just a shooter, but he certainly objected to that statement

and exclaimed his game is more than that. This season Kennard has
been a force off and on the ball hes been able to get to the paint at

will and hes been able to finish in multiple different ways. So far this

season Kennard is averaging 20.4 ppg on 52 percent from the field

Tatum, Kennard, and Jefferson combined for 71 of Dukes 84

points last night. The crazy thing is guys like Grayson Allen, Matt

Jones, Frank Jackson, Marques Bolden, and Chase Jeter all had quiet

nights. The craziest thing about this Duke team is that Harry Giles

hasnt played yet. Coach K says he hopes to have Giles back before

Christmas. When hes back and this Duke team gels into one they will

be scary.

Duke haters beware my friends beware.