2014-15 ACC Conference Preview: Duke Blue Devils

2013 Season Results: 26-9 overall, 13-5 conference record. 3rd place in the ACC.
72-63 loss to Virgina in Final Round of ACC Tournament. 78-71 loss to Mercer in the Round of 64 in NCAA Tournament.

Key Losses: Jabari Parker, Rodney Hood, Andre Dawkins, Josh Hairston, Tyler Thornton

Key Returners: Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Amile Jefferson, Marshall Plumlee

2014 Recruiting Class: Jahlil Okafor (5 stars, #1 overall recruit according to ESPN), Tyus Jones (5 Stars, #4), Justise Winslow (5 stars, #15), Grayson Allen (5 stars, #21)

You might be wondering why there’s a bunch of dudes in tuxedo’s at the top of this page instead of say Coach Mike Krzyzewski, a crowd-surfing Blue Devil, or Jabari Parker pouting on the bench mid-upset at the hands of 14-seed Mercer.

Well, it’s kind of difficult to call a 26-win season a disappointment, but after an uncomfortably early postseason exist for the Duke Blue Devils, these are the four young men who will lead Duke back to the top of the ACC, and very likely take Coach K’s team further into March than they’ve been since their title run in 2010.

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With four of the top 21 recruits in the class of 2014, Duke’s locked and loaded and ready to compete with the best of the best in the ACC, and with Louisville (#11) and Naismith candidate Montrezl Harrell now joining with the likes of Blue Ribbon Preseason Top-25 teams North Carolina (#4),defending champs Virginia (#8), and Syracuse (#21), they’ll definitely have their work cut out for them.

Fortunately, this Duke team is about as good of a mix of immense young talent and crafty wise veterans as you’re going to get in college basketball, and if the Freshmen are able to live up to their billing, they should be favored to finish near if not at the top of the ACC.

As difficult as it is to rebound from losing guys like Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood, landing the top overall recruit in big man Jahlil Okafor softens the blow, and surrounding him with the top point guard recruit in the nation in Tyus Jones gives the Blue Devils a brand new and potentially more potent 1-2 punch. Okafor’s game has been compared to guys like Al Jefferson and Elton Brand, which – with respect to Mason Plumlee – would give Duke a legitimate bruiser for the first time since Shelden Williams.

Combining athleticism with skills and basketball IQ, Okafor’s expected to be a force in the middle on both ends of the ball, which well make life easier on the perimeter for Duke, who will feature a number of threats on the wing. I’m not totally sure how Coach K will delegate between Quinn Cook and Jones, with Cook being an improved scorer and supreme floor general, while Jones is also a great facilitator with deceptive athleticism and a knack for scoring from just about anywhere on the court. Either way I’m sure Krzyzewski isn’t complaining about having two guys who can thoroughly protect the ball, and run his high-powered offense.

Benefitting the most from an unstoppable force in the middle and two pass first, high motor guys in the backcourt, will be the two other star Freshmen, Grayson Allen and Justise Winslow, as well as Junior Rasheed Sulaimon. Duke’s fourth leading scorer from last season, Sulaimon actually saw his role decrease last season playing behind Parker and Hood, but made the most of his minutes by clamping down on defense and improving his three point shooting by nearly .040-percent. Sulaimon will be expected to take on more of a leadership role this season, and based on his on-court demeanor, you’d have to think he’s ready to step up as an assumed starter this year.

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Filling out the other impactful slots in the rotation will be the aforementioned Allen and Winslow, both of whom are more athletic than the wings you typically see playing for Coach K. As much as Allen’s deadly jumper would lead you to believe he’s just a shooter, he’s one of the most athletic guards in this Freshman class, which he showed off as he won the Powerade Jam Fest at this past year’s McDonald’s High School All-American Game. Allen has great touch and a deadly first step, and is in a position to be one of the Blue Devils best scorers this season. On the flip side, Winslow will more than likely be the Blue Devils best defensive player this season, potentially even having an Aaron Gordon type of impact on the defensive end. Winslow’s energy and effort are contagious, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him, Sulaimon, and Cook combine to give opponents fits this season.

Rounding out the rotation are Juniors Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee, who aren’t exactly the most skilled bigs in the conference (looking at you, Marshall), but should benefit from playing behind Okafor. Jefferson was easily Duke’s best big man last season, but is better served in a complementary role, whereas Plumlee is best in short stretches where he can give 125% energy and get the crowd rejuvenated.

As for the rest of the bench, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Sophomores Matt Jones and Semi Ojeleye get some minutes here and there, with Sean Kelly – Senior walk on/former team manager who happens to be Ryan Kelly’s brother – being the guy who the Cameron Crazies cheer for to get into the game in garbage time.

Duke’s biggest challenge this season will be getting the Freshman adjusted to the college game, but with so much returning talent combined with a Freshman class that gives Kentucky’s a run for their money, if Duke disappoints again this season you won’t be able to blame it on a lack of talent.

I think they’ll be just fine.