ACC Basketball: 3 bold predictions for the 2019-20 season

By Brian Rauf | Oct 24, 2019

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 20: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts with teammates Jack White #41 and Javin DeLaurier #12 during the final seconds of 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. Duke Blue Devils defeated Texas Tech Red Raiders 69-58. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 06: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils cuts down the net after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3) Duke wins the ACC regular season for the first time since 2010

It has been a full decade since Duke last won the ACC regular season title in 2010, but they enter the new season as the favorites to claim the crown despite losing most of that historic freshman class featuring Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish.

The good thing is that the Blue Devils are welcoming in another top recruiting class and, while they’re not as talented as last year’s group, they may fit better together. Cassius Stanley and Wendell Moore are dynamic wing players, but Stanley is more of an offensively focused player while Moore is more defensively focused.

Their big men – both top 10 prospects – complement each other as well. Vernon Carey is a bruising traditional big man on the inside while Matthew Hurt spaces the floor as a knockdown three-point shooter that can also attack the basket of the dribble.

Perimeter shooting was Duke’s biggest weakness last year, yet they should be much improved. Along with Hurt, Alex O’Connell and Joey Baker will be able to play their ideal roles as spot-up shooters off the bench. That trio will allow the Blue Devils to space the floor the way Coach K wants, opening up driving lanes and creating space for Tre Jones and the rest of Duke’s slashers to attack the rim.

Next. ACC Preseason Power Rankings. dark

I think we’ll see some wacky things and a few big upsets in ACC play given the uncertainly and projected inconsistency with many of the conference’s teams. And, while Duke winning the title may seem more likely than not, expect them to do something they haven’t done in a decade while Pitt and Syracuse have surprising seasons – albeit for different reasons.