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Duke Basketball: Top 5 reasons why the Blue Devils will be better than North Carolina in 2018-19

By Jerran Anderson

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 28: RJ Barrett #6 of Montverde Academy dunks during the 2018 McDonald's All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 28: RJ Barrett #6 of Montverde Academy dunks during the 2018 McDonald's All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

4. Coaching experience is on the Blue Devils’ side

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski hasn’t coached his team to an NCAA Championship since the 2014-15 season but all that could change in 2018-19. The Duke Blue Devils will be an early favorite to win the NCAA title despite coming out of a tough ACC, and that’s partly due to their commander in chief.

Coach K led the Blue Devils to a 29-8 record with four freshmen in the starting rotation in 2017-18. In 2018-19, the stakes have risen a lot higher as they could have five freshmen in the starting rotation. Last year’s squad made it all the way to the Elite 8, this year’s squad has the potential to be a whole lot better and then some.

The Tar Heels, on the other hand, lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to the Texas A&M Aggies last season. They do return potential ACC Player of the Year candidate Luke Maye but they also lose the production of Joel Berry and Theo Pinson, two key contributors to last year’s squad.

Coach K looks more prepared to handle what’s to come for next season, especially with the top-ranked recruiting class in the country.

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