Leading up to Duke basketball’s first game of the season Nov. 14 against Presbyterian, The Blue Zone will preview an expected contributor on this 2014-2015 squad each day, continuing today with sophomore Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
- Year: Sophomore
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Position: Guard
Game Breakdown: If there's one thing Matt Jones can do, it's defend. The DeSoto, Texas product was tapped as Duke's defensive ace as a freshman due to his familiarity to man-to-man defense from his high school days. Now a year older and with a little more confidence, Jones should be even more of a bulldog on the defensive end. Regardless of what he provides on the offensive side, Jones should be a vital part of Duke's success by pairing with Justise Winslow to be the best wing defensive duo the Blue Devils have seen in quite some time.
His role on offense will be a relatively small one, which is necessary for any player who will play alongside the AP Preseason Player of the Year Jahlil Okafor. Jones has shown flashes of being able to get to the rim while in Durham, but that won't be his job on this team. Instead, Jones will try to recapture the stroke that had him touted as one of the top shooters in the freshman class a year ago. When Okafor gets double teamed in the paint—which is a when, not an if—it will be incumbent upon Jones to knock down the open 3-point attempts that he'll get after making just three of his 21 3-pointers as a freshman.
Role on the Team: Jones is slated to be the team's starting two-guard. According to head coach Mike Krzyzewski, Jones fits in with the starting unit because he doesn't need the ball long to be an asset offensively. In other words, Jones won't take touches away from Okafor and can knock down the occasional 3-pointer.
As mentioned earlier, Jones will also be Duke's primary guard defender. He and Winslow will be a formidable pairing on the wing, just as long as they can provide just enough offense next to the big man in the middle.
NBA Comparison: Jones' player comparison changes drastically depending on whether he can recapture his jumper. Assuming he does to some degree, Jones may most resemble Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich is the under-appreciated cog in the machine that keeps the Bulls continually one of the best teams in the East. The veteran guard plays solid defense and has made a living getting out of the way of the Bulls' stars in the past—Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, just to name a few. Hinrich will hit some timely shots from beyond the arc, and if Jones can do just that, he'll be the perfect compliment to Duke's star-studded lineup.
Projected stats: 7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.5 spg, 36% 3PFG
Players we've already previewed: Grayson Allen, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, Semi Ojeleye
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