Duke basketball is in the middle of a crisis, but they still will be a title contender in March.
Duke has plenty of current problems, including Mike Krzyzewski’s upcoming back surgery that will result in an indefinite leave of absence. However, let’s be honest, the Blue Devils are still going to be one of many title contenders when March rolls around.
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Sure, they may never hit their true ceiling, may not win the ACC regular season title and are most definitely not going to run away with the National Championship, but to discount Duke because of mid-season adversity would be ridiculous in and of itself.
Remember, this roster is loaded with talent. They have two potential lottery picks (Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles), Luke Kennard is in the National Player of the Year conversation, and Grayson Allen has first round NBA Draft potential. Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones are veterans, and Chase Jeter, Frank Jackson and Marques Bolden are quality backups.
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Giles, Tatum and Bolden are only going to improve as they get more minutes under their belt and Allen could return with vengeance. Kennard has been impressive to say the least and Jefferson could step up to be the leader the Blue Devils need.
Back at the Jimmy V Classic in the beginning of December, Coach K said the team had yet to practice as a full roster. They were still in preseason mode while the rest of college basketball was wrapping up their non-conference slate.
But despite all the injuries, the Allen suspension and the chemistry concerns, the Blue Devils are still 12-2. Their two losses have come against the Kansas Jayhawks (on a Frank Mason III game-winner) and against a top 25, underrated Virginia Tech team. Yes, the Blue Devils looked disengaged against the Hokies, but we must also credit how balanced, tough and physical Buzz Williams’ team is.
Coach K will eventually be back (it would be shocking if he didn’t return this season) and it would be unrealistic to see a team this talented spiral out of control in his absence. They’ll be able to keep afloat with a schedule that features Georgia Tech (Coach K will be on the sideline), Boston College, at Florida State, at Louisville, Miami, North Carolina State and at Wake Forest.
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The ACC is daunting and the last time Coach K went out with back trouble in the late 90s, the Blue Devils went 4-15. But this Duke team has a nice blend of experience and youth. They might not be a number one seed. They might not be as accomplished during the regular season as teams like Villanova, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Oregon and others. But they still will be one of the most dangerous squads in the country when it matters.