Dynamic Duos: The 2 Best Players on Each Collegiate Contender This Season
Basketball is a team sport, and everyone knows that you need the best teammates to succeed. In the NBA, each team has its own dynamic duo that helps with scoring or any other need the team has to win.
Although superstars joining each other is becoming more common nowadays, it was already happening way back. Whether a player joins a team with an established superstar or the team develops their star player, there were never “one” man teams.
Some of the best duos in the NBA included MJ and Scottie, Shaq and Kobe, Magic and Kareem, Steph and Klay, and Lebron and DWade. Every team also has an explosive duo in their roster with college basketball. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best basketball duos at the collegiate level.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Drew Timme – 17.6 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 58.3 FG%
Chet Holmgren – 14.4 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game, 3.6 blocks per game
When you talk about efficiency, the duo of forwards from Gonzaga is the perfect example. Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren are shooting lights out from the field, with both averaging more than 50% shooting. Timme, known for his physicality in the paint, is the leading scorer for the Zags. Although he primarily shoots near the basket, he’s also a capable mid-range shooter. His weaknesses lie with free-throw shooting and being turnover-prone.
Chet Holmgren, on the other hand, is a unicorn at center. He can do almost anything if given a chance to develop. Holmgren averages 3.6 blocks per game and is a solid presence on defense whenever he’s on the floor. March Madness odds are leaning heavily on the Zags primarily because of the duo of Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren.
Purdue Boilermakers
Jaden Ivey – 17.4 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game
Zach Edey – 14.9 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 1.2 blocks per game
Jaden Ivey is one of the most explosive guards this season. Averaging 17.4 points per game, the Purdue Boilermakers rely on Ivey for the offense. Due to his wingspan, Ivey can also be a good perimeter defender.
Problems arise, however, if Ivey gets too aggressive on both ends. He can get careless with the ball on offense and poke too much at defenders leading to more fouls. Zach Edey is the Boilermaker’s center and is a good balance with the energetic Ivey. His 1.2 blocks on defense is a welcome addition to the defense of Purdue.
What’s most interesting is that Edey is the 2nd leading scorer on the roster behind Ivey, but he’s averaging just 19.2 minutes per game. Imagine if he had more minutes on the floor. Though Zach is a terrible three-point shooter, he’s a strong force in the middle. Look for Ivey and Edey to lead the Boilermakers towards a good run this year.
Auburn Tigers
Jabari Smith – 16.9 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, 1.1 steals, 42.5 3P%
K.D. Johnson – 12.6 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, 2.0 steals per game
The Tiger’s defense is blessed with Jabari Smith and K.D. Johnson’s feistiness on the floor. Opposing ball handlers should steer clear of these players as both average 3 steals per game. Though they’re not shot-blockers like their teammate Walker Kessler who’s averaging 4.6 blocks per game, their tenacity on the floor more than makes up for what they lack.
One of the biggest bets to go no.1 in the NBA draft this season, Jabari Smith is arguably one of the best 3-point shooters in college basketball. K.D. Johnson isn’t as talented from the outside but is an excellent slasher and contact finisher. Johnson is also strong for a guard his size. Smith and Johnson is a guard-forward combo that will provide a lot of problems for opposing teams on both ends.
Duke Blue Devils
Paolo Banchero – 16.9 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game
Wendell Moore Jr. – 13.2 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game
Although they’re both forwards, Banchero and Moore Jr. can effectively dish out passes to open teammates. Duke’s offense heavily relies on team play and shooting, and both players fit perfectly into legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski’s system.
One of the brightest prospects this year, Paolo Banchero, draws comparison to NBA all-star Julius Randle. He’s a big forward with a quick step and good range. Banchero is projected to go 5th overall in the NBA draft.
Wendell Moore Jr. is another forward who likes to go strong to the basket. Moore has thrived and developed well this season, easily increasing his scoring average. Will the duo give coach K a good run in his last season? Only time will tell as March Madness is quickly approaching.
Conclusion
The NBA has duos and trios of players who work together to produce great results for their team. At the collegiate level, duos also exist and deliver results just as well as their professional counterparts. The duos mentioned above are just a few players in college basketball who display chemistry and skill.