NCAA Basketball: “League Pass Rankings” for 2021-22 season

1. Duke Blue Devils

After an uninspiring season, some may be questioning this selection. But with a loaded freshmen class, some returning players, a graduate transfer, and the final season of Coach Kryzewksi, the Duke Blue Devils are the team I am most excited to watch.

On the court, Duke will have a menacing frontcourt with No. 2 ranked recruit Paolo Banchero and sophomore Mark Williams. Banchero is built like an old school big (6’10, 250 lbs) but with a modern skillset.

He’s the favorite for ACC preseason player of the year, and I think he’ll have a real shot at National Player of the Year. The Blue Devils also have five-star wing Adrian Griffin Jr., who’s banged up right now, but could be a highlight machine when healthy.

I’m enticed by the on-court stuff, but nearly every Duke team is just as enticing off the court. Even in a year where the team was subpar, the Blue Devils still dominated the national headlines. Coach K canceling the remainder of the non-conference schedule after losing consecutive home non-conference games and Jalen Johnson opting out in February were two of the biggest stories of last season. Now, we get the Coach K farewell tour in his final season as a head coach. I’m anticipating the final North Carolina – Duke rivalry game to be the most-watched regular-season game of the season.

At the end of the day, it’s Duke. There’s not a more polarizing team in the country. It feels like any time Duke is in a close game, it’s all over my Twitter feed. Who knows if Duke is still that polarizing once K leaves, but I want to be a part of it all this season.

Also, bonus points for the Cameron Crazies coming back in full force this season.