Will Alex O'Connell Start For Duke The Rest Of The Regular Season And Postseason?
On Sunday as Duke was on the road at Georgia Tech Mike Krzyzewski did something he hasn't done all season he changed his starting lineup that included freshman guard Alex "O'Connell who is from Roswell Georgia "according to http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=4200&SPID=1845&SPSID=22727 taking the place of freshman point guard Trevon Duval who came off the bench with senior guard Grayson Allen taking over the point guard duties.
And Alex O'Connell made the most of his opportunity when he was on the floor.
In that win the freshman guard played twenty two minutes but didn't score many points as he scored just three points and two assists. "according to http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2018/02/why-alex-oconnell-may-provide-a-lineup-upgrade
What's the difference between Trevon Duval and Alex' O Connell when they're are on the floor?
Duval has been reckless with the ball at times, which was on full display against North Carolina and Virginia, when his mindless pass at the end of the game cost the Blue Devils a chance to tie it or take the lead in the final minute. The numbers back it up: per 100 possessions, Duval has coughed the ball up more than twice as much as O’Connell, and nearly twice as much as Allen. "according to http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2018/02/why-alex-oconnell-may-provide-a-lineup-upgrade
And even though some might argue that Duval is a better offensive weapon, that simply isn’t true. He has struggled mightily from deep and has a much lower offensive rating than O’Connell according to basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy's metrics, sitting at just 106.9 compared to O’Connell’s explosive 130.6 mark. For context, O’Connell’s rating is in fact the highest on the team, albeit in fewer minutes than the five starters. "according to http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2018/02/why-alex-oconnell-may-provide-a-lineup-upgrade
O’Connell shoots it better from beyond the arc, and though he might not thrown down the glitzy dunks like Duval, he also doesn’t make the maddening mistakes that Duval does. "according to http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2018/02/why-alex-oconnell-may-provide-a-lineup-upgrade
With Gary Trent Jr. and O’Connell by Allen's side, Duke has three threats from deep instead of two. This will allow Allen’s trademark drive-and-kick game to work much more effectively, giving him a more diversified offensive portfolio to keep opponents on their heels. "according to http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2018/02/why-alex-oconnell-may-provide-a-lineup-upgrade
Allen is not a natural point guard, but he makes fewer mistakes than Duval and is a better scorer at that position. Oh yeah: and Allen won an ACC tournament at point guard last year, when the Blue Devils were on fire. Is that really worse than trotting out a guy who seems far too focused on his own highlights? "according to http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2018/02/why-alex-oconnell-may-provide-a-lineup-upgrade
What are the chances that Alex O'Connell starts over Trevon Duval the rest of the season and into the postseason? The way I see it Alex O'Connell can make things happen when he's on the floor unlike Trevon Duval who turns the ball over in critical situations.