A potential NCAA Tournament showdown is on the horizon as former Duke star Jeremy Roach, now playing for Baylor, could face his old team if both squads win their first-round matchups. This matchup would be a major storyline, given Roach’s history with the Blue Devils.
During the 2023-24 season at Duke, Roach was a crucial player, averaging 14.0 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while also serving as a team captain. Now a key contributor for Baylor, he has helped the team secure a tournament spot.
Ahead of the tournament, Roach expressed excitement about the possibility of playing against his former teammates. In an interview with Mirror U.S. Sports, he called the potential matchup “super special” and suggested that the NCAA strategically placed both teams in the same bracket to create this scenario.
“It would be really cool to go up against those guys,” Roach said. “I was there for four years, and I still know quite a few of them—my boy Tyrese [Proctor] and Spencer Hubbard, the former walk-on.”
This season with Baylor, Roach has averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game. For this matchup to happen, Duke must first defeat No. 16 Mount Saint Mary’s, while Baylor faces No. 8 Mississippi State in their opening game.
