By: Ben McCormick and Duke Wisdom Network
Contributions: Michael Craver, Derrien Hinton, Will Howson, Shaun Smith and Jeremy Wilson
With conference play in full swing and 16 games behind us, the college basketball regular season is officially halfway through. So, it's time to look back at our collective power rankings of all 15 of Duke's players that Duke Wisdom published before the season started.
That was all the way back in September. Since then, the rotation has come a little more into focus. With nine players taking the court every game, plus another who is hit-or-miss in the rotation (Sean Stewart). Jaden Schutt decided to redshirt prior to the start of the season, and Christian Reeves has missed significant time with an injury. It seems likely that he will seek a medical redshirt for this season. So, for those reasons, the pair of sophomores will not be included in the mid-season rankings.
The three walk-ons, or walk-on type players will be excluded as well, so no Neal Begovich, Spencer Hubbard or Stanley Borden either.
The way this works is pretty simple. Six different members of the Duke Wisdom Network, including myself, ranked the players 1-10 and then their rankings were averaged to come up with the final ranks (each individual ballot will be listed at the end as well). The preseason rank, as well as the trend up or down will be listed under each player's picture as well. Also, be mindful that these ballots were filled out prior to the Georgia Tech game on Jan. 13.
So, without further ado, here's the Duke Wisdom mid-season player rankings:
10.) Sean Stewart
Mid-Season Average Rank: 9.83
Preseason Rank: 8
Trend: Down
Stewart is a high rising above-the-rim threat. He's strong and he's skilled. Yet, he hasn't put it all together yet.
His hands are a bit shaky at times. He has a tendency to foul a lot when he enters the game. He's certainly not the only 5-star "big" at Duke to fall victim to that as a freshman. Immediately, Mason Plumlee and Marques Bolden come to mind. So, it is a work in progress for Stewart. He should play a lot of minutes on next season's squad, but it seems that he will be completely trimmed out of the main rotation by March of this year (barring injuries).
He showed glimpses of what he could be late in the game against La Salle in November as he picked up his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Due to his limited role, many are suspicious that Stewart may opt for the portal at the conclusion of the season. I don't subscribe to that belief though. It seems like Stewart is the type of player to develop with time. It's not like Jon Scheyer is harboring on the bench because Stewart egged his house. He's just not ready for big minutes yet.
There will be time available for the former McDonald's All-American in 2024-25 alongside Patrick Ngongba II and potentially Khaman Maluach in the frontcourt.
9.) TJ Power
Mid-Season Average Rank: 9.17
Preseason Rank: 9
Trend: Neutral
If you are a regular listener of the Duke Wisdom Podcast, first of all, thank you. Secondly, you probably know that I have a very strong opinion about Power's time on the floor. He is a shooter. If he's going to play, he needs to get multiple threes up every game. He shouldn't play without having some plays run for him to free up space.
With that being said, he has struggled defensively, and he is not a fantastic threat in the paint offensively. While his offensive game has boundless potential, it's easy to see why he doesn't play a ton.
Although, as a 47% three-point shooter, I think he could bring more to this squad if there was an aggressive effort to get him looks during the five to 10 minutes he plays for every game.
8.) Jaylen Blakes
Mid-Season Average Rank: 7.67
Preseason Rank: 10
Trend: Up
You can't help but love Blakes' infectious energy. He's never the most talented player on the floor, and he certainly isn't the tallest. But he usually gives the most effort.
The fire he plays with makes it impossible not to play him. His defense always brings a net positive to the team, and while he's not typically a difference maker offensively, he had some solid games in December. His play during the final month of the year earned him the nickname "Mr. December" from me.
It seems that one thing Duke fans shouldn't do preseason next year is underestimate Blakes. He will find his way onto the court, and he will find a way to make an impact.
7.) Ryan Young
Mid-Season Average Rank: 6.83
Preseason Rank: 7
Trend: Neutral
In general, Young has seen a pretty significant dip in production. Given the departure of Dereck Lively II and the addition of no bigs that regularly play, that statement seems odd. But Young is only averaging 3.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Last season, he was one of the most efficient players in the country, particularly as an offensive rebounder and scorer underneath. This season, his role has been diminished a bit because this team's identity is different than last year's. This squad is built around three-point shooting and guard play. Young just doesn't fit the bill.
That doesn't mean he is unimportant. Far from it. We saw that in Duke's most recent game versus Georgia Tech when he had his best game of the season with 10 points and 9 rebounds in the absence of Mark Mitchell. When a man goes down, Young is ready to step up.
He had big, game changing plays against the Yellow Jackets, and against No. 9 Baylor on Dec. 20 as well. The podcast making has been put on hiatus, but the high effort contributions of Young are still rolling.
6.) Caleb Foster
Mid-Season Average Rank: 5.83
Preseason Rank: 6
Trend: Neutral
Foster burst onto the scene with a huge 18 point effort against then No. 18 Michigan State. He has the capacity to be a high volume scorer who can burn you in many ways. He's a solid three-point shooter, can get to the basket and has a solid floater as well.
His role on next year's team will be indispensable as the likely starting point guard and one of two primary guards. However, this season he often takes a bit of a backseat to the veteran guards. He's very good already, but there's a next step for Foster. The interesting question is whether he will take that step this March or next November.
5.) Tyrese Proctor
Mid-Season Average Rank: 5.17
Preseason Rank: 2
Trend: Down
Preseason, a lot of people had Proctor tabbed as an All-American and a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Right now, that seems highly unlikely.
His injury on Dec. 2 took him out for a month of play, and that has certainly impacted him. But even before that, the Australian point guard has had a tendency to fade into the background offensively. We know he can light it up, but he often ends games with around five shot attempts. That's far too few.
His shooting splits aren't as high as projected, but a lot of that likely boils down to his lack of attempts. You can't get into a rhythm when you don't shoot a lot. But against Georgia Tech on Jan. 13, Proctor made massive shots down the stretch with Jeremy Roach on the bench injured.
In a very similar way that Jared McCain found himself when Proctor was injured, maybe Roach missing some time could lead to a big stretch for Proctor.
4.) Mark Mitchell
Mid-Season Average Rank: 4.17
Preseason Rank: 4
Trend: Neutral
Whatever Mark Mitchell Sr. said on Twitter at the turn of the year seemed to work.
His son snapped a 15 shot miss streak from three and rattled off two consecutive career high scoring bouts against Syracuse and Notre Dame to get to a hot start to conference play.
Mitchell offers a completely unique skillset for this team. He is 6-foot-9, athletic and a true forward. No other player fits that bill. His defensive ability is crucial to this team's success, but it has been refreshing to see him aggressive on offense. We've finally got a taste of the Mark Mitchell that led the 2022 McDonald's All-American game in scoring.
3.) Jared McCain
Mid-Season Average Rank: 3.17
Preseason Rank: 5
Trend: Up
Starting with a 21 point effort versus Charlotte, McCain went on a tear. He followed it up with another 21 point game against Baylor and then 24 versus Queens. His three-point shooting, especially in the transition is unlike any Blue Devil we've seen in a while. His shot is quick and consistent.
The freshman starter is shooting 42% from three and has brought Duke's backcourt to the next level with his hot shooting. His play has been so stellar that he is a projected first round pick in the NBA Draft now.
2.) Jeremy Roach
Mid-Season Average Rank: 1.67
Preseason Rank: 3
Trend: Up
Jeremy Roach is in his Quinn Cook era. The senior captain has been a bright spot of consistency and performance for the Blue Devils, and he seems to be well on his way to an All-ACC season (injuries permitting).
He's up to 1,214 career points and is putting up a career best 14.6 points per game. He is an invaluable member of this team, and their success in March will likely be directly tied to his performance.
1.) Kyle Filipowski
Mid-Season Average Rank: 1.33
Preseason Rank: 1
Trend: Neutral
Filipowski is averaging 28 points and 11.5 rebounds over Duke's last two games, and he very well may be the current frontrunner for ACC Player of the Year. Not only that, he could be Duke's first 1st-team All-American since Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett in 2018-19.
While it seems like he is falling short in certain areas at times (finishing around the rim), he always finds a way to make you say "He has 29 points?!?" He's the type of player that will get his numbers. But, it's more than that. Duke's offense runs through him, and it's defense depends heavily on him.
One of the nation's best players has been Duke's best player midway through the season, and he is leading a Duke team that is now back in the AP top 10.
Individual Ballots
Ben McCormick | @Duke_Wisdom
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