Duke vs Gonzaga 2022: All you need to know about the biggest NCAAB rivalry for the upcoming season

Duke vs Gonzaga 2022: All you need to know about the biggest NCAAB rivalry for the upcoming season

 

By Jim James

 

The draft is over, and you know what that means: no, not the new top rookies looking to make their name in the NBA and start an illustrious career. Who cares about that? No. This means we are looking forward to a new college season full of the next generation. The biggest two teams? Gonzaga & Duke. These two boast almost a dozen top 100 players combined, and let’s stack them up, and see who would be the favorite when these two clash on 

 

Gonzaga

 

1. Chet Holmgren: Proj: 1 (NBADraftroom) Position: SF/C Strongest Area: Fit into current league

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Chet Homgren is a beast of a man.  He is a great all round player, who can shoot, defend, block, and do it all day, with a 7’1” frame and an elite team behind him, He seems a shoo-in for the No.1 spot.

 

1. Hunter Sallis: Proj: 29 (NBADraftroom) Position: PG Strongest Area: Explosiveness
2. Drew Timme: Proj: 34 (NBADraftroom) Position: C Strongest Area: Dominance
3. Nolan Hickman: Proj: 49 (NBADraftroom) Position: PG/SG Strongest Area: Scoring
4. Anton Watson: Proj: UD (NBADraftroom) Position: PF Strongest Area: Ball Handling
5. Andrew Nembhard: Proj: UD (NBADraftroom) Position: SG Strongest Area: Team Chemistry

 

Strengths: This team is very well rounded, and with tons of depth. Andrew Nembhard seems like a good leader to keep the team in check, and Chet is also always a good option on this roster. 

Weaknesses: There is only one ball, and too many scorers, with Holmgren, Timme, and Hickman all Scorers. This team also doesn’t have an assists guy, and seems like they will be heavily reliant on Nembhard to do that.

 

Duke

 

1. Paolo Banchero: Proj: 2 (NBADraftroom) Position: PF Strongest Area: All-Round Offense

He is the… forgotten man, the man behind THE MAN. However, let’s not forget that Banchero is a great player, too. He is going to be that Numero Uno option on Duke, and quite simply could be special.

1. Adrian Griffin Jr.: Proj: 5 (NBADraftroom) Position: SF Strongest Area: Frame
2. Trevor Keels: Proj: 26 (NBADraftroom) Position: SG Strongest Area: Size & Frame for a guard
3. Mark Williams: Proj: 55 (NBADraftroom) Position: C Strongest Area: NBA Frame

 

Strengths: This team has one of the best all-round frames that I have ever seen, as well as a ton of 1st round talent, and a lot of shooting

Weaknesses: It is a one-dimensional team, And very top heavy. It also has no glue guy. 

 

Matchup:

 

Scoring: Gonzaga 8/10 Duke 10/10

Defense: Gonzaga 9/10 Duke 8/10

Size: Gonzaga 7/10 Duke 10/10

Chemistry: Gonzaga 10/10 Duke 5/10

Playmaking: Gonzaga 7/10 Duke 6/10

Lottery Talent: Gonzaga 8/10 Duke 10/10

Depth: Gonzaga 10/10 Duke 9/10

 

Final Score: Gonzaga 4 Duke 3

 

So, in my eyes, Gonzaga will win the matchup in late November, and will go farther than Duke in MM, but who knows, there are too many individual factors separating them, and I wouldn’t blame you if you chose Duke. However, for fans of both teams, you’re in for a good time this season. I’m Jim James, and I’ll see you later!