Duke Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the top team

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: The Duke Blue Devils hold up the trophy after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 75-69 in the championship game of the 2017 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

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Starters (All rankings are courtesy of 247sports Composite)

FR Trevon Duval

The No. 6 player gives Duke something they haven’t had since the last time they won the championship with Tyus Jones: a true point guard. While Allen struggled at times last year choosing between distributing and scoring, Duval has shown no such issues. In his last year at the IMG Academy, he averaged 16.2 ppg and almost eight assists a game. An outstanding shooter and facilitator, Duval will anchor the point guard position this year.

SR Grayson Allen

The polarizing Allen was for better or worse the face of the team last year. Having to carry a team through all the injuries and noise clearly had an effect on him both emotionally and physically. He went from 21.6 ppg down to 14.4 ppg, and declined statistically in just about every category after just one year. This time around he’ll be able to play his natural position at shooting guard, where he can use his explosiveness and hot shooting to the best of his ability.

FR Jordan Tucker

This might be controversial since it forces a top player to the bench, but Tucker is No. 82 in his own right. He’s also the purest small forward on the team, with a great stoke to go along with his 6’7″ frame. Tucker is an ideal fit at the “3” spot, while other players can play multiple positions. He’s going to have to earn these minutes though.

FR Marvin Bagley III

Once he decided to reclassify to play this season, Bagley became the consensus top player in the 2017 recruiting class after dominating opponents at Sierra Canyon High School to the tune of 24.4 ppg and 10.1 rpg. The California Gatorade Player of the Year can play any forward position and can score any which way possible. Coach K has previously mentioned him playing on the wing, and at 6’10” and 234 pounds, that would be a nightmare matchup for opponents.

SO Marques Bolden

This is a scenario of a player getting one last chance to show he can get minutes. Sounds harsh, but programs like Duke and Kentucky are win-now teams who don’t have time to wait for guys to develop long-term. After suffering injuries and a lack of cohesion with teammates, Bolden has averaged less than seven minutes a game.

At 6’11” and almost 250 pounds, the former top center still has plenty of talent to make an impact at the five-spot. If he struggles out of the gate however, he may ultimately follow the Jeter route out the door.

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