After a 26-7 season, Duke’s year ended with a elite eight loss to Kansas. If Duke wants to reach there goal of a National Championship , Coach Mike Krzyzewski will have to get the maximum potential of a star studded team.
Returning Players:
Junior center Javin DeLaurier, Sophomore wing Alex O’connell, Junior center Marques Bolden, and Junior wing Jack White will look to provide experience to a very young Duke team. Sophomore Jordan Goldwire looks to be the backup point guard. All these guys will look to help contribute and bring experience to this very young Duke team.
Incoming Players:
This might be the greatest recruiting class ever in Duke basketball history. This class includes former five star recruit RJ Barrett, former five star recruit Cam Reddish, former five star recruit Zion Williamson, former five star recruit Tre Jones, and former four star recruit Joey Baker. RJ Barrett was the nations number one recruit this past year and proved multiple times he was a legit player winning MVP at the Nike Hoop Summit and averaged 18.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists at the Fiba 2016 U17 World Cup. Cam Reddish was the number two player in the nation this year and had a stellar showing at the Nike EYBL Circuit in 2017 when he averaged 23.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals. Reddish is an outstanding shooter and was having a spectacular senior season before he was out with a groin injury. Maybe the most hyped recruit in the 2018 class is Zion Williamson. Williamson was the number four recruit in the nation and had an outstanding high school career and averaged 36.4 points and 11.4 rebounds a game. Williamson has also made his name around social media for his outstanding athletic and dunking ability. The most underrated recruit in this class is Tre Jones brother of NBA player Tyus Jones and the number 12 recruit in the 2018 class. Jones will be the floor general of this Duke team and will look to replace Grayson Allen. Jones averaged 20.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists at the Nike EBYL circuit. Jones’ pass first nature should be perfect for a Duke team looking to make up for the loss of Grayson Allen. Last is Joey Baker who reclassed from the 2019 recruiting class to the 2018 recruiting class. Baker will most likely redshirt this upcoming season. Baker is a excellent shooter and played very good on Duke’s Canada tour. If Baker does not redshirt this season expect limited time for hm as their are players ahead of Baker on the depth chart for the Blue Devils.
Key Games:
November 6th vs Kentucky:
Like Duke, Kentucky is loaded with one and done talent but this Kentucky team is different than last year’s team. Kentucky brings back lots of key returning players and a graduate transfer who will all help contribute for the Wildcats this season. Look to see how this Duke team meshes to start the season with a brand new starting five.
January 5th vs Clemson:
This will be Duke’s first game versus a legit ACC opponent, as Clemson starts the season ranked. We will see how much this Duke team has gotten better since the game against Kentucky.
February 12 @ Virginia:
Last year’s Duke vs UVA game was a classic, having UVA come away with a one point win on the road. UVA again is the one of the top tier teams in the ACC and this game could be another classic. If Duke could beat UVA on the road it will definitely make them the favorite in the ACC.
February 16 vs North Carolina :
This is the most storied rivalry in NCCA basketball history and last year’s game did not disappoint. Carolina returns with a very experienced team. This game could go down as another classic game in a historic rivalry.
Projected Season:
Record: 25-6
ACC Tournament: Championship game
NCAA Tournament: Final Four
Image via: Sports Illustrated
