Duke basketball freshman Isaiah Evans has struggled to get on the court in big games for Duke so far in his first season. The No. 15 recruit in ESPN’s 2024 class could bring a big spark to the offense, but his options have been limited.

Evans has logged double-digit minutes in two games this season, playing well and producing outstanding performances in his limited time.

In 12 minutes of play against Wofford, Evans scored 14 points on 4 of 7 shooting from three-point range, as well as one rebound and one assist. In 17 minutes off the bench against Seattle, Evans scored 9 points on 2 of 7 shooting from long range.

Evans came into the Duke program as an elite shooter, arguably the best in his class. During the preseason, he demonstrated this with his catch-and-shoot ability in practice and competition.

This Blue Devils team may have been the best defensive team in the country. In order to get minutes, head coach Jon Scheyer has to see the defensive strength of his boys.

His stats won’t be great due to his limited action, but I saw good defense from Evans in the time he was given. His 6-foot-1, lanky frame, his speed and athletic ability make him a good match for smaller guards on the perimeter.

Granted, Evans only saw time in Duke’s “buying” games. The five-star star did not appear on the court in the Blue Devils’ losses to No. 8 Kentucky or No. 1 Kansas.

With another big matchup looming for the Blue Devils as they host No. 4 Auburn, a team that has looked better than any other in the country so far this season, it will be interesting to see whether Scheyer Evans is due to Duke Shooting irregularities throws them to the ground There have been difficult encounters so far this season.

The Blue Devils hit three-pointers well against the Jayhawks, shooting 11 of 26 (42.3%), but the team’s best shooter was ice cold as Kon Knueppel went 0 of 8 from three. Against Kentucky, Duke shot 4 of 24 from three (16.7%). Aside from Tyrese Proctor, who is shooting 50% from distance, no Blue Devil who has made 20 or more three-pointers this season is shooting better than 33% from three.

Duke has the potential to be one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country. Knueppel will find out, Caleb Foster is a better shooter than his numbers show, Cooper Flagg is expected to continue to get better in every facet of the game given his limitless potential, and Mason Gillis shot 47% from three last year 3 attempts per night.

With Duke relying on its elite defense, it looks like that won’t be enough. The Blue Devils defended well against the Wildcats and did even better against the Jayhawks, but both games ended in losses and shooting problems in the second half.

Here Evans can fit perfectly into the offense. 18 of Evans’ 21 shots he’s taken this season have come from beyond the arc, and he’s ready to take it as soon as he sees some daylight.

While his shooting percentage isn’t above expectations, he never shys away from catch-and-shoot opportunities and could be a perfect spark for the offense off the bench if the Blue Devils find themselves in an offensive crisis.

Scheyer also praised Evans’ work ethic and said he has earned the right to play.

With an intense battle looming against the gritty Auburn Tigers, who could very well be the No. 1 team in the country come Monday, Scheyer could fit potential playing time into the plan for Evans with his defense and ability to get red-hot from three to any Time.