Duke vs. Arizona: Bench Players Who Will Have the Biggest Impact

The college basketball season is still in its infancy but that hasn't prevented a number of marquee matchups so far this season. Another big-time game tips off Friday evening at 6 ET when the sixth-ranked Duke Blue Devils and fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats do battle at Madison Square Garden.

These two blue bloods of the hardwood have national championship dreams and are looking to make a statement Friday. Each squad is loaded with talent and the game may very well be decided by a bench player stepping up.

Here are a couple bench players for each team who could make a big impact.

Arizona Wildcats

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Forward

Hollis-Jefferson will be crucial to the success of the Wildcats. Duke's Jabari Parker has proven to be a game changer, nearly averaging a double-double with 23.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Hollis-Jefferson will no doubt be matched up with Parker at some point Friday.

Parker averages more minutes per game than Arizona's two forwards, Brandon Ashley and Aaron Gordon. Hollis-Jefferson will have to use every bit of his 6'7" frame to try to contain Parker so that Ashley and Gordon can get the occasional breather.

Hollis-Jefferson is averaging 20.8 minutes a game, so he is no stranger to playing large chunks of time. He averages a respectable nine points a game and is shooting 64 percent on the season. The freshman forward will face his toughest task yet with the Blue Devils.

Gabe York, Guard

York could make an impact in relief of T.J. McConnell and Nick Johnson. The sophomore guard is averaging 21 minutes per game but has made the most of it by averaging 10 points and three rebounds. York must improve his passing ability to be effective against the Blue Devils.

York is averaging just 1.3 assist per game, a poor number for a guard. Counterpart Quinn Cook is averaging 6.4 assist per game for Duke. York will have to play smart with the ball and find his teammates for easy buckets.

Solid performances from York and Hollis-Jefferson could put Arizona in a good position to win this game.

Duke Blue Devils

Andre Dawkins, Guard

The senior guard will have to play strong in relief of Quinn Cook and Rasheed Sulaimon. Dawkins is Duke's best scorer off the bench, shooting 43 percent from the three-point line. Duke will need scoring off the bench to counter the tough Arizona defense.

Arizona on average is allowing just 58 points per game while Duke is averaging 90 points a game. Dawkins' ability to come off the bench and knock down the three-point shot will be critical in Friday's game.

A huge game from Parker wasn't enough to lead Duke past Kansas earlier in the year and likely wouldn't be enough for a win over Arizona. Parker and Rodney Hood handle much of the scoring for the Blue Devils and a big assist off the bench from Dawkins will go a long way.

Josh Hairston, Forward

Parker is the superstar of this Duke team but can't play every minute. In steps Hairston to take over during Parker's often-earned breathers on the bench. The senior is averaging 12 minutes per game and is one of just three bench players to have seen action in every game this year.

Hairston has been around this Duke program for four years now. His experience may be his biggest asset in the event he is matched up with Arizona freshman Aaron Gordon. Gordon is averaging a double-double and is a big part of why Arizona has climbed to No. 4 in the current rankings.

Hairston is a workhorse for the Blue Devils, making a lot of the blue-collar plays that go unnoticed. His hustle, experience and senior leadership help keep this Duke team focused when he is on the floor. He shoots 80 percent from the foul line, which could prove critical as rule changes for this year have increased the number of fouls called and foul shots taken.

Madison Square Garden is no stranger to big-time sporting events and it will be fun to see if the Blue Devils and Wildcats can live up to the hype in the Big Apple.

All stats courtesy of ESPN.com