Duke Basketball: 3 reasons why 2019-20 team will be better than last year

By Cody Larson | Aug 23, 2019

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 16: The Duke Blue Devils pose with the ACC Championship trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 73-63 in the championship game of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Tre Jones #3 of Duke Basketball celebrates a basket against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Last season, Duke Basketball had a loaded collection of talent; one of the best in recent memory. On paper, this upcoming season’s roster does not quite stack up in terms of star power, but that does not mean they can’t improve in terms of production. Here are a few reasons why.

Duke Basketball was arguably one of the most exciting attractions in all of sports last college basketball season. Every time they took to the hardwood it was must watch television, thanks to their infamous recruiting class that featured the likes Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Tre Jones and Cam Reddish.

Duke’s 2018-19 season included loads of highlight dunks, fast-break finesses and intense primetime games. But their season also included a somewhat disappointing outcome (falling short to Michigan State in the Elite Eight), as it was most certainly championship-or-bust for them last season. Now the Blue Devils enter next season with three-fourths of their previous star recruits leaving for the NBA (only Tre Jones remains).

But life in Durham, North Carolina moves extremely fast; ever since head coach Mike Krzyzewski decided to buy in on college basketball’s one-and-done culture. The Blue Devils have already reloaded with a freshmen class including the likes of Vernon Carey, Wendell Moore, Matthew Hurt and Cassius Stanley.

Related Story. Duke's potential 2019-20 rotation. light

They also bring back key contributors from last year via Alex O’Connell, Jack White, Javin DeLaurier and Jordan Goldwire (along with the previously noted Tre Jones). But even yet, admittedly, next year’s new-look squad does not quite bring the same amount of excitement as least year’s star-studded team — upon first glance.

After a deeper dive though, it becomes clear that Duke fans have just as much – if not more – to be excited about for the 2019-20 season compared to the season prior. There are multiple universes where Duke ups the ante and finds more success under their new roster. Here are three reasons suggesting why.

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