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Duke Basketball: What might the 2019-20 campaign hold?

By Lukas Harkins

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: The Duke Blue Devils mascot performs during the game against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: The Duke Blue Devils mascot performs during the game against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: A view of the Nike shoe worn. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: A view of the Nike shoe worn. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Duke basketball’s national title hopes died a bit earlier than expected this season. What might the 2019-20 campaign look like for the Blue Devils?

Duke basketball entered this past season as one of the favorites to win the national championship. With four extremely highly-touted freshmen leading the way, many believed that the Blue Devils were the most talented team in the country but would struggle with their youth and inexperience throughout the year. And, for the most part, that was the case. After starting the season by blowing the doors off of Kentucky, the Blue Devils continued to roll through the majority of their opponents before finally starting to slip up towards the end of the regular season due in large part to an injury suffered by Zion Williamson.

Still, though, Duke won the ACC Tournament thanks to Williamson’s return and they entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed with 29-5 (13-3 ACC) record. And while they struggled in the opening three rounds, they reached the Elite Eight and that is no small feat for any program. It was there, though, that the Blue Devils met their downfall in a tight loss to Michigan State. This loss sent the national title favorites home a bit earlier than most were expecting but that’s just how college basketball is sometimes.

Looking ahead to the future, though, Duke basketball is in great shape (shocking, right?). The Blue Devils are arguably the top program in the entire country and it would be a mistake to think that they will not be right back in the national title conversation in a year from now. Coach K and Co. have a tumultuous offseason ahead but they will almost assuredly come out looking very strong.

Without any further ado, let’s take a look at what’s next for Duke.

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