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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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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

3. Georgia State Panthers (Nov 15)

2018-19 record: 24-10 (13-5)

It was a tough 1-2 punch for the program this offseason. Head coach Ron Hunter took the vacant Tulane job before leading scorer D’Marcus Simonds elected to go pro early. And with three other double-digit scorers also graduated, the Panthers lost a ton of talent. But there is still hope with Georgia State for next year. Guard Kane Williams will be the star of the team while former four-star recruit Nelson Phillips is set to have a breakout season. They’ll also get DePaul transfer Justin Roberts and Detroit Mercy transfer Corey Allen, who averaged 14.4 ppg the past two seasons. All of the mid-majors, the Panthers have the best shot to keep it close.

2. (N) Kansas Jayhawks (Nov 5)

2018-19 record: 26-10 (12-6)

This is the opening matchup of the season, with the Jayhawks bringing back All-American candidate Devon Dotson, along with imposing big man Udoka Azubuike for his senior season. They also will have big man Silvio De Sousa for next year, coming off a suspension for impermissible benefits. Wings Marcus Garrett and Ochai Agbaji are great perimeter defenders while Iowa grad transfer Isaiah Moss will provide needed shooting. Once again Kansas is a national title contender and can certainly defeat Duke.

1. (A) Michigan State Spartans (Dec 3)

2018-19 record: 32-7 (16-4)

In a rematch of last season’s Elite Eight matchup, Michigan State and Duke will face off in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. But the reigning Final Four participant could be even better this time around, thanks to the return of National Player of the Year candidate Cassius Winston. Junior big man Xavier Tillman will anchor down low, with the return of 15 ppg scorer Joshua Langford on the wings. Incoming freshman Rocket Watts makes their perimeter even more dangerous.

Next. Biggest winners/losers of 2019 recruiting classes. dark

They’re ranked No. 1 in many preseason polls and with this game being the Blue Devils lone non-conference road matchup, they’ll be the underdogs in one of the most anticipated games next season.

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