A compelling storyline could unfold in the NCAA Tournament if both Duke and Baylor win their opening-round matchups. This would set up a faceoff between Baylor guard Jeremy Roach and his former team, the Duke Blue Devils.
Roach, a former Duke captain, played a crucial role during the 2023-24 season, averaging 14.0 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Now a key contributor for Baylor, he has helped lead the Bears to the tournament.
Speaking ahead of Baylor’s first-round game, Roach shared his excitement about the possibility of playing against Duke. In an interview with ‘Mirror U.S. Sports’, he acknowledged that the potential matchup feels like a deliberate move by the NCAA selection committee.
“It would be super special,” Roach said. “I think that’s kind of the story that the [NCAA] wanted, and they knew what they were doing putting us in the same bracket.”
Facing his former teammates is something Roach would relish. “Definitely would be super cool just to face off with those guys,” he added. “I know all those guys, been there for four years. Obviously, they got a new team too, but I know quite a few of them over there, my boy Tyrese [Proctor] and Spencer Hubbard, the former walk-on.”
This season with Baylor, Roach has contributed 10.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game.
For the matchup to happen, Duke must first defeat No. 16 Mount Saint Mary’s, while Baylor will need to get past No. 8 Mississippi State. If both teams advance, Roach’s reunion with Duke could be one of the tournament’s most intriguing storylines.
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