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Duke Basketball: 5 keys for a successful 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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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) /

Returning pieces develop

While the incoming freshman class is clearly receiving a ton of attention this offseason, the development of returning players on the roster will also be extremely important. There is not a whole lot of experience on the Blue Devils this season and therefore each returner will help guide the team in moments of struggle both on the court and off. During last season, eight different Blue Devils averaged over 10 minutes per game and it is reasonable to expect that there will be at least a few key reserves once again this season.

It is incredibly difficult to project just which returners will play the most valuable roles this season but a few stand out as potentially major contributors off the bench. As already mentioned, Coach K will probably fill his key bench roles with players who will help offset some of the weaknesses of the starting lineup. Due to this, it seems likely that the roles will be filled either by players who can bolster the frontcourt or provide some much-needed shooting.

Additionally, though, it is reasonable to expect that sophomore guard Jordan Goldwire will reprise a minimal role. A strong on-ball defender at 6-foot-2, Goldwire projects as the backup point guard to Tre Jones this year. However, RJ Barrett will likely run the offense while Jones is on the bench this year and therefore Goldwire might not see an increase in playing time.

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As per usual, Duke basketball projects as one of the best teams in the sport this year. If all of the freshmen gel together early and the veterans improve, then the Blue Devils will be more than worthy of all the preseason hype.

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