Erin Mathias
- Year: Senior
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Position: Forward
- Last year’s statline: 3.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.1 APG
Game breakdown: Heading into her senior year, Mathias finds herself looking to fill the void left by Oderah Chidom’s departure in the Blue Devil rotation. After struggling to get minutes early in her Duke career, Mathias was a much bigger part of the Blue Devil gameplan as a junior and she recorded her first double-digit scoring and rebound games. Mathias spends most of her time in the low block and does not have many plays called for her on offense. But with the ability to finish put-backs at the rim and contest shots at the hoop, Mathias will be a key role player for a Duke team that will rely heavily on its perimeter play. If the senior can battle with opposing bigs down low and protect the paint, expect Mathias to garner more minutes on the court and contribute for the Blue Devils.
Role on the team: Without Chidom, Duke will look to Mathias for rebounding and defense down low. The Blue Devils are strong on the perimeter with the return of Lexie Brown and Rebecca Greenwell, but have a fair share of questions down low. Mathias has the potential to fit alongside Leaonna Odom as two of the team’s primary bigs. Although the senior will not make much of an impact on offense, Mathias can spark Duke with her energy and hustle. The Pittsburgh native impressed in the team’s scrimmage with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks and she will need to sustain this level of play for Duke all season.
Projected stats: 6.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.0 APG
Stay tuned with the Blue Zone for our continuing player previews with Lexie Brown tomorrow. Previous players previewed include Kyra Lambert, Jade Williams, Jayda Adams, Madison Treece, Mikayla Boykin, Emily Schubert, Leaonna Odom, Sofia Roma, Haley Gorecki and Faith Suggs.
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