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Duke Basketball: What the Blue Devils will look like in 2018-19

By Tristan Freeman

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Duke Blue Devils players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on November 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Duke won 91-81. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Duke Blue Devils players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on November 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Duke won 91-81. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 10: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Petersen Events Center on January 10, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 10: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Petersen Events Center on January 10, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

What needs to happen next

Right now, there are some in the Blue Devils’ circle that already has gotten ready the national champion banners. Those are probably the same people who had them ready last year and this one as well. Duke can certainly win the title at the end of this year but it will not be in the dominating fashion some thought at the very beginning.

There are things that need to be done before next year’s team can be considered the favorite to win the title next season.

Get another point guard

Having Jones coming in is nice but there needs to be another legit distributor in case of injury or other issues. Duke is going hard after Darius Garland, considered to be the top point guard in the class, but Vanderbilt and Kansas seem to have a leg up (although that doesn’t really matter much, does it?).

Maintain a quality bench

Top prospects aren’t the only ones that need to be recruited, as the reserves for Duke will be needed. Especially the frontcourt players, as they’ll be the only upperclassmen on the roster next year. Experience on a team plays a crucial role, whether it’s the starters or reserves.

Next: Latest ACC power rankings

If no one transfers, Duke will be in great shape. Otherwise, they’ll have to convince good players that they should come to a place where 10 minutes a night on the floor is all they will get. Of course, it could be 10 minutes on the next NCAA tournament champions

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