Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Brilliance: Check Out Jared McCain's Recent Numbers

Duke basketball freshman Jared McCain has become the consistent sharpshooter the Blue Devils needed.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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The Duke basketball team has several capable outside shooters. Among those averaging at least two attempts, senior guard Jeremy Roach continues to lead the 16th-ranked Blue Devils (9-3, 0-1 ACC) with his 46.2 shooting percentage beyond the arc, despite going 0-for-3 in Saturday's 106-69 home victory over unranked Queens.

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But freshman guard and fellow full-time starter Jared McCain has emerged recently as the squad's most consistent 3-point threat, shooting 13-for-26 from downtown between the past four games since his lackluster six-point outing in the loss at Georgia Tech on Dec. 2. He's now shooting 44.8 percent from three for the season.

And the 6-foot-3 former five-star recruit from California has exhibited more than just his smooth stroke from deep:

Across the four-game winning streak that the Blue Devils have posted entering the remainder of their ACC slate, McCain has averaged 19.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and only 0.7 turnovers per contest while shooting 60.1 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range, and 100.0 percent at the charity stripe.

Against the Royals, the 19-year-old finished with a team-high 24 points (9-for-14 from the field, 4-for-9 beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 at the line) and three steals, along with four rebounds and three assists in his 26 minutes on the floor.

Following Saturday's blowout, Jared McCain, now averaging 11.7 points this season despite reaching double digits only twice in his first eight appearances as a Blue Devil, explained that he credits his brilliant shooting performances of late on his decision to not stress over misses and instead aim to improve another aspect of his game:

"I've been really big on controlling what I can control, really coming out and focusing on defense and letting the game come to me. I know I can make these shots, but when I focus on that, you can get caught up in college basketball stuff and all the hype. So, [I’m] just trying to play winning basketball and focus on my defense."

NEXT GAME: at home versus unranked Syracuse (10-3, 1-1 ACC), 9 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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