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Duke Basketball: Ranking Blue Devils 2019-20 non-conference opponents

By Tristan Freeman

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a shot defended by Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a shot defended by Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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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) /

The non-conference schedule for Duke Basketball is always notable to observe. Who are the top teams the Blue Devils are facing next season?

As one of the biggest and most prestigious programs in the sport, Duke Basketball’s schedule will always look the same each year. It’ll start out with the season-opening Champions Classic against either Kansas, Michigan State or Kentucky. Then after some “cupcakes” the Blue Devils will take part in either a four or eight-team tournament. Followed by a high-profile opponent in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge along with another televised big matchup.

Last season, Duke took on four teams ranked in the top-12 in the non-conference. They defeated Kentucky, Auburn and Texas Tech but suffered their only pre-ACC loss to Gonzaga in the epic Maui Invitational Finals. 1-2 losses are usually the most the program loses early on in the season, as they never fall to mid-major opponents not named the Bulldogs.

Duke’s non-conference schedule for the 2019-20 season has been released, with several intriguing matchups. Although a few mid-major opponents aren’t as good as hoped after some big transfer decisions. They will also take part in the 2019 Empire Classic, facing off against Cal before either Georgetown or Texas.

For this look at Duke’s non-conference opponents, neither the Hoyas or Longhorns will be included formally since they aren’t guaranteed to face the Blue Devils. But I would say that either would rank 3rd among the rest of this list. So who is the toughest foe that Coach K and Duke will be facing?

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