Three intriguing potential lineups for next season

With the personnel Duke has on the roster for next season, Coach K will have several quality lineup options at his disposal. Duke will be able to employ mutliple effective yet entirely different looking lineups depending on who is on the floor. This versatily will be a key component of the success of next year’s team. Here are three (of many) intriguing lineup possibilites for next season.

Lineup 1: Super-sized

PG: Wendell Moore

SG: Trevor Keels

SF: AJ Griffin

PF: Paolo Banchero

C: Mark Williams

This group does not possess a true point guard, but is still intriguing and can be effective for a variety of reasons. The main aspect that would make this lineup tough to deal with from the opponent’s perspective is size. Trevor Keels, at six-foot-five, 210 pounds, would be the smallest player on the floor for Duke in this grouping. A backcourt featuring two six-foot-five players presents a unique challenge for opponents as in all likelihood that would be an overwhelming amount of size for most back courts to deal with.

The front court in this lineup is plentiful in size as well. At six-foot-seven, 210 pounds, AJ Griffin has excellent size at the small forward spot. Six-foot-nine, 235 pound Freshman Paolo Banchero is certainly not lacking in size either. And of course, the lineup being anchored by a true seven-footer in Mark Williams is the final cherry on top. This is a lineup that has the potential to overwhelm opponents physically and dominate on the boards.

Often times attempting to roll out a super-sized lineup inherently results in a lack of shooting. That is not the case with this lineup. Trevor Keels and AJ Griffin will provide floor spacing and keep the defense honest. Paolo Banchero is more than capable of knocking down the outside shot as well. There will be plenty of room to operate offensively if/when these five share the floor.

A Junior who has plenty of playing experience and knows the ins and outs of Coach K’s system, Wendell Moore should be able to lead guard duties at times despite not being a natural point guard. His familiarity with what Coach K wants to do offensively is invaluable in terms of maximizing the potential of this lineup. Coach K has had success with upper-classmen guards running the point who may not be natural point guards before, and Wendell Moore may be the next in line in that regard.

Lineup 2: Small ball

PG: Jeremy Roach

SG: Trevor Keels

SF: Wendell Moore

PF: AJ Grffin

C: Paolo Banchero

When Duke wants to go with a “small ball” approach, there is a good chance this is their lineup of choice.

The only difference between this lineup and lineup above from a personnel standpoint is Jeremy Roach is inserted in place of Mark Williams. While one change may not seem like much, it results in a domino effect that leads to a lineup with an entirely different feel.

Paolo Banchero’s versatility is the main component that makes this lineup extremely dangerous. He will play a lot of minutes at the power forward position, but moving him to center presents a major problem for opposing teams to manage. Banchero is simply too skilled and too mobile for most centers to handle and could force the hand of the opposition to make a lineup change that may not be ideal for them. AJ Griffin creates a matchup nightmare for most opposing power forwards as well. Between the two of them, while likely smaller than the opposing front court, there is enough size to work with and their athleticism will prove beneficial with this group on the floor.

WIth this lineup, Trevor Keels and Wendell Moore are both placed into more natural positions on the wing with a true point on the floor in Jeremy Roach. This lineup is extremely dangerous in that anyone who pulls down the defensive rebound is capable of immediately pushing the pace with the ball in their hands and leading Duke into a transition opportunity. This is a group that can be very tough to handle.

Lineup three: Experience

PG: Jeremy Roach

SG: Wendell Moore

SF: Joey Baker

PF: Paolo Banchero

C: Mark Williams

The theme of this lineup is experience. It features all four of Duke’s returning players.

If Duke is ever looking rattled, this group of vets is a lineup Coach K may look to. All four of Duke’s returnees have quite a bit of playing time under the belt and this could prove beneficial in situtations where Duke is looking out of sorts. This is not Duke’s most talented lineup, but that does not mean it cannot be succesful. A veteran lineup like this may be needed at times throughout the season.

These are just three of many intriguing lineup possibilities for Duke next season. Duke will have a very talented and versatile roster.