Duke Basketball: 5 reasons why Blue Devils will win ACC title in 2019-20

By Brian Rauf | Aug 30, 2019

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 16: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils cuts down a piece of the net 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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 20: Jack White #41 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts with teammate Javin DeLaurier #12 during the second half of the game against Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. The Duke Blue Devils defeat Texas Tech Red Raiders 69-58. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

3) Depth

Duke has dealt with a great deal of roster turnover since fulling embracing the one-and-done era, and that has often left them with a very short rotation. That will change this year thanks to a number to veterans that will be expected to play key roles off the bench.

Javin DeLaurier started 16 games at center for the Blue Devils last year and will give their frontcourt rotation an athletic and energetic spark off the bench. Jack White will also see some minutes as a stretch big man, a role he has carved out for himself. Jordan Goldwire emerged as a valuable backup point guard down the stretch last season as well, and he’s back to provide stability to the second unit and another primary ball-handler to use when facing pressure.

Duke’s improved shooting also extends to the bench in the forms of Alex O’Connell and Joey Baker. O’Connell struggles defensively due to his limited foot speed but was sometimes forced to play big minutes last season as his shooting prowess provided some floor spacing. Coach K infamously burned Baker’s redshirt in February with the hope of him having a similar impact without the defensive drop off.

That didn’t happen – it was a tall (and unfair) ask of anyone who wasn’t expecting to play all season – but the newfound depth will put both O’Connell and Baker in better positions to succeed. O’Connell will be allowed to be an offensive gunner with Jones/Moore/Stanley worrying about the defensive end, while Baker is actually ready to play and has had a whole offseason to work on his game.

For a team who didn’t like to go more than seven-deep in their rotation last year, Duke is likely going to consistently play 10 players in 2019-20, which will give them a significant advantage.

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