The Duke and Arizona game features a dozen NBA Draft prospects

On By Littum

Several power programs schedule home-and-home series against each other as conference realignment has made scheduling non-conference games more difficult.

That has led to some must-see games at a time when big programs typically beat up smaller schools in buyout games.

This week will have a doozy: no. 12 Duke at no. 17 in Arizona.

Two of college basketball’s top programs meet Friday night at the McKale Center in one of the most anticipated matchups of the non-conference season.

The Blue Devils (3-1) have a stacked roster that includes freshman Cooper Flagg, projected to be the No. 1 overall in the next NBA Draft. Twelve players between the two teams are listed in ESPN’s latest draft a large board for the top 100 leads.

The Wildcats (2-1) are also loaded, led by preseason All-American Caleb Love, who knows a thing or two about Duke after playing three seasons at North Carolina.

Flagg has been as advertised, averaging 16.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. Fellow Kon Knueppel has played well, including a 22-point game against Maine in the season opener, and the Blue Devils still have Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster on their roster.

Duke swept through three of its first four games, but fell short in a 77-72 loss to No. 9, Kentucky in Atlanta last week. The Blue Devils bounced back with an 85-35 finish at Wofford on Saturday.

“I’m proud of our team,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “It was a tough loss on Tuesday and I’m proud of their character and the way they responded today – I’m really proud of how we shared the ball and that’s part of having a special group.”

Arizona is also trying to bounce back from a tough loss.

The Wildcats cruised through their first two games before running into a buzzsaw at No. 19 in Wisconsin. Arizona never led, gave up 12 3-pointers and allowed John Tonje to score 41 points in the 103-88 loss.

“We’re going to be a good team. I’m not worried about that,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “This was just a great opportunity on the road to challenge ourselves.”

NBA Draft prospects in Duke-Arizona matchup

Rankings based on ESPN’s latest draft big board by Jonathan Givony.

Arizona

Carter Bryant (13)

Motiejus Krivas (17)

KJ Lewis (34)

Jaden Bradley (55)

Caleb Love (89)

Duke

Cooper Flag (1)

Kon Knueppel (6)

Khaman Maluach (8)

Tyrese Proctor (28)

Caleb Foster (44)

Isaiah Evans (49)

Sion James (54)