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Duke Basketball: 10 predictions for the Blue Devils’ 2018-19 season

By Lukas Harkins

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: The Duke Blue Devils cheerleaders carry their schools flags on to the court prior to the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional against the Kansas Jayhawks at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: The Duke Blue Devils cheerleaders carry their schools flags on to the court prior to the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional against the Kansas Jayhawks at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 8: Led by committee chairman Mark Hollis (3rd from L), the NCAA Basketball Tournament Selection Committee meets. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 8: Led by committee chairman Mark Hollis (3rd from L), the NCAA Basketball Tournament Selection Committee meets. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /

9. The Blue Devils earn a No. 1 seed

Heading into this season, there are four teams that seem to have an edge over the rest of the country: Kentucky, Kansas, Gonzaga, and Duke. Of course, this will fluctuate and change once the actual games begin but it is more than reasonable to think that Duke will be competing for a No. 1 seed during this upcoming season. In addition to just the idea that Duke will be extremely talented this season, it seems as though the program is always competing for a No. 1 seed. However, it may come as a surprise to hear that Duke has been awarded a No. 1 seed just once in the last seven years.

My reasoning for predicting Duke will receive a No. 1 seed this year actually goes hand-in-hand with the last prediction. Unless something drastic happens, it is almost a guarantee that at least one ACC team will be awarded a No. 1 seed. Considering this and the idea that Duke will likely have a strong regular season as a top-10 team, an ACC Tournament title adding quality wins along the way could push them to the top line if they aren’t there already.

As far as why Duke receiving a No. 1 seed would be significant, let’s take a look at how the program has performed in the Big Dance after landing on the top line. Over the past 22 years, the Blue Devils have been a No. 1 seed on 11 different occasions. During this stretch, Duke has won the national championship three times and reached (at least) the Sweet 16 on the other eight trips. In four of the seven times Duke has been named a No. 2 seed, the team has lost before the second weekend.

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