NCAA Tournament 2011: How Much of a Factor Will Kyrie Iring Be Against Arizona?

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Will Kyrie Irving Be the Difference Maker Against Arizona?

Duke has reached the Sweet 16 for the 20th time under Coach Krzyzewski. They dominated all season long and won the ACC Tournament the 13th time.

Duke did all this without star point guard Kyrie Irving for the majority of the season. He returned for the tournament and has been held to limited minutes, until now. Coach K said that Irving will play "significant minutes" against Arizona.

Irving has averaged only 20 minutes a game this tournament, but still he has managed to score an average of 12 points and get to the line an average of seven times. He is a special player than can create his own shots as well as for others.

Irving is sure to be a lottery pick and possibly the top overall pick in the NBA Draft this summer, but until then he has at least one more game to showcase his skills. With the news of him playing more in the Sweet 16 match-up against the Wildcats Duke's chances of reaching the Elite Eight for the 13th time under Coach K just got a lot better.

Irving will be the difference maker in this game. Before he was injured he was averaging near 17 points a game and at least 30 minutes per contest. His assists were down in his first two games back, but it was expected in his limited minutes. Now that he will see more time on the court Thursday night expect solid numbers all around.

Duke needs a solid game from every single one of their starters. Irving won't be starting, but he'll be getting the minutes of a starting player, and every shot he takes will be crucial.

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