X factor: Duke basketball vs. St. John's

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski will look to win his 1,000th game as the fifth-ranked Blue Devils travel to face St John’s Sunday at 2 p.m. at Madison Square Garden in New York. Duke will look to win its third game in a row after two consecutive losses and close out its nonconference slate unbeaten with a win. Before each game this season, the Blue Zone will select a player on both teams that could make the difference for their respective squads:

Duke: center Jahlil Okafor

With much of the attention on Krzyzewski Sunday, the Blue Devils’ freshman sensation will have also have a chance to make a statement on one of the nation’s biggest stages. Although Okafor’s scoring has dipped after his fast start in conference play, the Chicago native still enters the contest averaging 18.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Facing a team with three explosive guards that ranks in the top 15 nationally in both steals and blocks, Okafor's ability to set up his teammates for success on both ends will also be critical to Duke's offensive rhythm.

The 6-foot-11 center will look to keep finding open teammates out of double teams after posting a career-high five assists in Monday's win against Pittsburgh, and against the No. 3 shot blocker in the nation in Chris Obekpa, Okafor's willingness to re-post and demand the ball will also be key. But in trying to keep a team that shoots just 31.8 percent from long range out of the paint, the ACC's leading scorer could have the biggest impact on the defensive end.

Regardless of whether Duke plays zone or man-to-man defenses, Okafor will need to anchor his team's defensive communication, especially when Red Storm leading scorer D'Angelo Harrison—who averages 19.5 points per contest—tries to attack off the dribble. When the Blue Devils lost their two games, the Preseason AP Player of the Year was exposed in pick-and-roll situations, so if Duke does decide to go man, how Okafor responds could make big difference going forward.

St John’s: forward Chris Obekpa

The 6-foot-10 junior’s athleticism allows him to play above the rim and serve as one of the best rim-protectors in the country. Entering Sunday’s game, the Nigerian forward averages 3.6 blocks per game—which ranks third in the nation—to go along with 7.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest. At 236 pounds, Obekpa has the athleticism to guard multiple positions and he will likely need to have a big game on the defensive end against Okafor and company because of the Red Storm's limited frontcourt depth.

Despite his defensive prowess, St. John’s has been at its best this season when Obekpa has excelled on the offensive end. The forward has scored primarily through savvy cuts to the basket or off pick-and-rolls and has made up for his limitations as a poor jump-shooter by becoming a terrific rebounder. Obekpa leads the Red Storm in rebounding and is especially dangerous on the offensive glass. With an explosive first step and the ability to get to the basket, the junior also has the potential to cause trouble in the halfcourt for a Duke frontcourt that has struggled containing dribble penetration.