Duke ‘positive’ Proctor to return for next game

Jeff Borzello, ESPN Personnel WriterDec 20, 2023, 11:26 PM ET

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• Basketball recruiting expert.
• Joined ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.NEW YORK– Duke ran its winning streak

  to 3 games with Wednesday’s victory over Baylor– and more good news might be en route with coach Jon Scheyer stating afterward that star guard Tyrese Proctor might be nearing a return from injury.Proctor has missed Duke’s past 3 games after suffering a sprained ankle in the opening minutes of heaven Devils’loss to Georgia Tech earlier this month.Scheyer stated that Proctor pressed to wear on Wednesday, but he eventually needed more time.”He’s getting more detailed every day,

  “Scheyer said.”He actually wanted to play in this game. It just wasn’t– he hasn’t practiced.

  He hasn’t done any 5-on-5. He was working to return. We just jointly decided it’s not gon na take place. I feel optimistic, when we get back for our next game. He needs to keep putting days together, but he’s advancing great. “Duke’s next game is Dec. 30 at home versus Queens before ACC play resumes Jan. 2 against Syracuse.Despite Proctor’s injury, No. 21 Duke earned a 78-70 win over Baylor at Madison Square Garden.In Proctor’s lack, freshman Jared McCain has actually stepped up to become a trustworthy perimeter scorer. He scored 21 points versus the Bears, connecting a profession high.

  “There’s really no words to describe it,”McCain said.”I’m in New York at Christmas time. Visiting the Rockefeller tree tomorrow. It’s just a surreal minute. I imagine a lot of things. I pictured us entering into the locker space celebrating, and it took place. And there’s simply no words to describe it. It’s amazing. “McCain made the first basket of the game, then struck a number of more jumpers to provide Duke an early lead, previously hitting a set of important 3-pointers in the second half. He cut

  Baylor’s result in one with 10:18 left and later on hit a 3 to put heaven Devils up 7 with 4:03 remaining in what seemed like a gruelling minute for the Bears. “I understood the corner male was either going to assist or stay with me,” McCain said.”And he wound up helping, and it was a bad decision, and I was able to capitalize off of it. Credit my teammates. We

  worked greatly these last two weeks on sharing the ball offensively, and I was just able to discover my areas. I deal with these shots every day.”In his very first eight games, the former five-star hire balanced 7.6 points and made 13 overall 3-pointers. In the past three games, all with Proctor sidelined, McCain is balancing 18.3 points with 9 3-pointers. “I seem like I’ve worked so

  hard for these minutes, that when I get in the moments, I simply trust my work,”he said.” Whether it’s my endurance, remaining in the health club late nights, early mornings. Being able to just remain in those minutes and accept them. I’ve worked so hard for these moments, it’s the ideal time for me to just have a good time out there. “On the other hand, No. 10 Baylor has actually dropped 2 games in a row after beginning the season with nine straight wins.”We still do not execute what we require to win a game like this,”coach Scott Drew stated. “The good idea is we got guys that wish to get better and will get better throughout the year

  . “The Bears will seek to get better against Mississippi Valley State on Friday.