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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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images /

3. Highly rated recruiting class will make an impact

In the battle of recruiting classes, it’s not even close. The Duke Blue Devils boast the top three ranked players in R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish. There’s also Top 5 point guard Tre Jones, brother of former Duke Blue Devil Tyus Jones as well as reclassed top prospect Joey Baker.

The Blue Devils have taken the title for top 2018 recruiting class away from the Kentucky Wildcats and with that comes added expectations. Each player brings their own pedigree for winning games. Barrett went 35-0 at nationally-ranked Montverde (FL). Reddish won his fifth straight Friends School League title this past season, putting up 34 points in a rout.

Williamson is an explosive playmaker that is sure to turn heads off the wing. He shocked many by committing to the Duke Blue Devils over schools in his home state of South Carolina.

Jones has the background to run an offense while Baker is a player you don’t want to leave open behind the arc. Given their dynamic, the Blue Devils hold the keys in how good they will be in the long run.

The Tar Heels welcome a recruiting class of Nassir Little, Koby White and Rechon Black. Little and Black both can pose a threat on the wing while White is a 3-point marksman that can also get to the rim. While they are all talented, they don’t hold the same versatile skillset of Duke’s incoming freshmen.

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