NBA Draft Watch: Texas Tech vs. Duke Preview/Prospects of Note

In a neutral-site contest set to be played at "The World's Most Famous Arena" the feel could yield that of a matchup made for March Madness, with the talent on the floor favoring that of an NBA game. Featuring two talented teams with a combined one loss on the season and a handful of projected first round picks, provides promising play to take place under the lights in New York City.

Entering the game undefeated at 10-0, Texas Tech is seen as the underdog going against a Duke squad ranked second in the country. Having began this season unranked — after ending the 2017-2018 schedule as the #14 team in the nation and losing their leading scorer in Keenan Evans, as well as first round pick Zhaire Smith — the Red Raiders have ascended to the #12 spot on the strength of a staunch defense. They currently rate tops in the country in points per game allowed, opponents field goal percentage, and defensive rating.

While there are a number of complimentary scorers on the team — as five players average between 7 and 11 points per game — their offense runs runs through and relies on 6'6 sophomore shooting guard Jarrett Culver. A slender wing scorer with an immense wingspan that nears seven feet, Culver has improved his productivity along with his efficiency as the go-to option in his second season at the college-level, after being the third leading scorer on the Texas Tech team as a freshman. Not just seeing a rise in scoring, he's also improved his impact as a facilitator going from averaging 1.8 assists against 1.1 turnovers and upping his average to 4.4 assists a contest (with an assist turnover ratio that's now 2 to 1). 

Another key player for the Red Raiders is redshirt senior transfer from St. John's Tariq Owens. A long-limbed 6'10, 205 pounds, the big man for Tech is one of the few complimentary offensive players on the team averaging 8.5 points per game, while shooting 57.4 percent from the field. It's on the other end of the floor with a bouncy vertical where Owens makes his biggest impact averaging an impressive 2.7 blocks in just over 20 minutes per game, thus far, after having led the Big East in blocks the past two seasons. He currently holds the lead for defensive rating in the country amongst all players and will likely be counted upon for his elite rim-protection against an athletic Duke team that thrives on opportunities near the basket, should Texas Tech pull out the win.

Of all the players Owens will look to deter from the hoop, none will pose the potential for a poster-worthy meeting in the air than Duke forward Zion Williamson. The 6'7, 285 pound phenomenon came to college with an already-made reputation for his unique combination size, strength, and springy bounce, having maintained his signature status with continued ascendant dunks and bountiful blocks back in the face of opponents. While those type of plays typically grace the highlights, Williamson's all-around play is like none other that's been seen at the college level to date, currently registering a player efficiency rating that would go down as the highest in NCAA history. 

Combining with Williamson as one of the best players in college basketball this season, RJ Barrett is a freshman force as well who knows how to put the ball in the hoop (24.5 points per game). The 6'7, 202 pound prospect from Canada plays with pride and passion, showing a propensity to attack the basket with athleticism and attitude that is almost exclusively seen amongst the premier NBA wings. Not just a scorer, Barrett's elite-level athleticism bodes well for him as a quality rebounder and he is a capable playmaker as well that is able to find teammates in transition and when breaking down and collapsing the defense in the half-court with his dribble drive. 

Joining Barrett on the wing for the Blue Devils is Cam Reddish. At 6'8, 218 pounds Reddish is a smooth-moving offensive player, whose particularly profiled as a perimeter scoring threat. With skills and size that would likely make him the primary prospect on nearly any other college roster, Reddish has provided positive production averaging 14 points per game, though he has been uneven in finding his shot at times as a third scoring option on the the tremendously talented Duke team. 

While the focus of fans and opponents likely begins with Williamson, Barrett, and Reddish, it's another freshman in point guard Tre Jones who stabilizes the stacked squad. Similar to his brother Tyus — who helped lead Duke to a National Championship along with Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, and Grayson Allen — Jones may take a backseat with the amount of attention paid to him in deference to his fellow freshman teammates, but is a polished point that positively impacts each of the aforementioned players. A precocious playmaker, the 6'2, 183 pound prospect plays with an instinctive feel for the game and does an admirable job in directing the floor for the Blue Devils, averaging 5.6 assists to a paltry 1.1 turnovers a night.