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

3. Duke will be improved defensively

Over the last few seasons, defense has been one of Duke’s biggest weaknesses. Despite having some of the best athletes in the country, the Blue Devils have consistently struggled to get stops in recent years. Rather than showing dominance on both ends of the floor, the team often resorted to just having to outscore opponents in high-scoring affairs to get victories. This season, though, might be much different.

Unlike prior Duke recruiting classes, this 2018 group features plenty of two-way players. Not only are there players willing to compete defensively but they also should fit well together. In the modern game of basketball, defensive switching is incredibly important. There are several capable defenders who are switchable across many different positions. This was not necessarily the case last season, as Wendell Carter Jr. was the only player who truly excelled at this.

This versatility from the incoming players should greatly help Duke improve defensively. Whether or not Coach K and company are able to tap into the defensive potential of this roster, though, remains to be seen. It is important to remember that this is an entirely different team from last season considering the roster overhaul. Much different players always equal much different results.