Ken Jeong Picks Duke to Win It All!

Ken Jeong Declares Duke the Champion, Praises Boozer Twins

Dr. Ken Jeong, renowned comedian and die-hard Duke Blue Devils fan, has weighed in on the college basketball landscape, offering his medical advice for a winning NCAA bracket: put Duke at the top. Speaking on his alma mater’s basketball program, Jeong, who also holds a degree from rival UNC, emphasized the unparalleled intensity of the Duke-Carolina rivalry. “It’s the best rivalry in college basketball,” Jeong stated, highlighting his unique position of having roots in both institutions.

The John Scheyer Era: No Drop-Off for Duke

Transitioning from the legendary Coach K era to the John Scheyer era, many expected a potential dip in performance for the Duke Blue Devils. However, Jeong dismissed this notion, praising Scheyer’s masterful stewardship. “It really is phenomenal where you’re following someone who is the GOAT and then literally there’s just like you said, there’s no drop off,” Jeong remarked. He highlighted Scheyer’s adeptness at navigating the modern college basketball landscape, including NIL deals and the transfer portal, while still attracting top high school talent. A key, often overlooked factor in Duke’s continued success, according to Jeong, was the team’s ability to retain players. “Last year what people overlook, we retained the most number of Duke player college players of any team. We had like five held over even though we lost five to the NBA, we retained five,” he explained, calling it a “huge underrated reason for his success today.”

Boozer Twins Carry on a Legacy at Duke

Jeong also shared his excitement about watching Carlos Boozer’s sons, Cameron and Kaden, star for the current Duke squad. He sees Cameron as a mature player beyond his years, drawing comparisons to Tim Duncan. “Cameron Boozer plays like a junior. He doesn’t play like a freshman. He’s got a Tim Duncanesque vibe to him. You never see him get rattled,” Jeong observed. He noted that Kaden, while still developing, possesses immense skill and a strong team-first mentality, much like his brother. “I don’t think about Carlos when I watch him, which is the ultimate compliment,” Jeong added, emphasizing that Cameron and Kaden are forging their own identities.

Rivalry’s Deepest Cuts: Grant Hill and a Hated Tar Heel

When pressed about his all-time favorite Duke player, Jeong unequivocally chose Grant Hill, citing his embodiment of Duke’s values. “He is just he’s a class act. He’s an amazing athlete. He’s a Hall of Famer. To me, he is like the perfect player in my eyes,” Jeong said. The question of his most hated Carolina player, however, proved more challenging, eliciting a playful but firm response. “God, there’s so many. They’re like too many to choose from,” he quipped, before being playfully confronted by an appearance from Joel Berry, a former UNC standout. Jeong, ever the comedian, quickly backtracked, attributing his previous remarks to a script and professing his love for Carolina, albeit with a hint of jest.

The Pain of Defeat: Seth Trimble’s Buzzer-Beater and Caleb Wilson’s Injury

Despite his staunch Duke allegiance, Jeong acknowledged the soul-crushing moments that come with the rivalry. He recalled the sting of Seth Trimble’s game-winning corner three-pointer against Duke earlier in the season, admitting it left him speechless. “I literally just stood up, left the kitchen and just walked out for like 5 minutes and was speechless,” he confessed. He also expressed heartfelt sympathy for UNC’s Caleb Wilson, who is out for the season. “It breaks my heart that, you know, he he he he’s going through that and will be out for the rest of the season because you you want to face everybody full strength,” Jeong stated, respecting Wilson’s “MJ-like competitiveness.”

Championship Dreams and a Comedian’s Fantasy

Looking ahead, Jeong envisions a triumphant return to Indianapolis for the Final Four, picturing himself amidst the net-cutting ceremony if Duke clinches the national championship. “Would that be amazing? They make the Final Four or they win the championship and then I cut down the nets and all the Duke security take me away. It’ll be great,” he mused, envisioning a moment akin to Kevin Hart’s iconic celebrations. The thought of Coach K himself tackling him only added to the humorous fantasy. As the interview concluded, Jeong playfully accused ESPN of secretly being Carolina fans, a testament to the enduring and passionate nature of this legendary rivalry.

Source: Ken Jeong Talks New Era of Duke Basketball 😈 | Boozer Twins Hype + His Most HATED UNC Player (YouTube)