The Blue Devils take on the Phoenix of Elon at 1 p.m. today at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C . Before every basketball game, we’ll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.
Duke: guard Andre Dawkins
At the beginning of the season, there was little insight into the role that he would play this year. Dawkins did not score a point in either of the Blue Devils’ two exhibition games and only played two minutes total in the team’s first two games. But Dawkins stock has been on the rise and he is becoming a major contributor to Mike Krzyzewski’s squad, averaging 9.1 points per game and shooting 48.1 percent from 3-point range. Dawkins got his first start of the season on Saturday against Eastern Michigan, filling in for an ill Rodney Hood and taking advantage of the spotlight, dropping 20 points against the Eagles—second only to Jabari Parker's 23. Look for Dawkins to continue his high level of play and give the Blue Devils some quality time of the bench.
Elon: guard Sebastian Koch
The senior guard from Germany has had a December to remember. This month, he has averaged 15.5 points per game and 19.3 points per game in his last four games. Koch also has shown up to play against ranked opponents. In a Dec. 13 contest against then-No. 21 Colorado, he scored a season-high 27 points in an 80-63 loss. At 6-foot-8, Koch is bound to match-up defensively against Parker, and will be tasked with curtailing the dynamic scorer’s offensive production. Koch must lead his team on both ends of the floor if Elon wants to end 2013 on a high note with one of the biggest wins in program history.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.