Last season by most teams standards was a success for the Blue Devils. They finished 30-7 overall and were able to win the ACC Tournament Title. Unfortunately, success is measured a bit different elsewhere than it is on Tobacco Road. With neighbor and rival North Carolina winning two titles in the last five seasons while also taking the last four meetings between the teams in Durham, the Crazies are chomping at the bit for a sweeter ending this season.
Senior Jon Scheyer and Junior Nolan Smith will anchor a backcourt that by Duke standards is thin and can ill afford to miss time this season. Scheyer has shown court savvy since he came to Durham and will be asked to reprise his role as a captain and share in the duties of running the point with Smith. Smith is coming off of an injury plagued sophomore campaign that saw him play at both the top and bottom of his game. Duke will need him on the court and healthy to provide the experience that the Devils need. Freshman Andre Dawkins has come to Duke a season early to not only allow his teammates to catch their breath, but also the coaching staff, and Duke fans alike. He should see ample opportunity to play right away, and will need to give meaningful minutes to a already thin backcourt.
Big is not a word that has often been used about Duke teams in recent memory. Enter the the new frontcourt heavy edition of the Blue Devils. Duke is sporting seven players that stand six seven or taller, which is not only one of the bigger Duke teams recently, but one of the biggest ever. One of the favorites for ACC Player of the year honors is Junior Kyle Singler. Playing out of position at the four and five the last two seasons has not seemed to stop Singler from putting up big numbers and causing mis-match problems for opposing ACC Teams. He will move to the small forward position this season and again present a tough match-up for opposing threes to guard. Senior Lance Thomas was named a Captain this season, for his hustle and workmanlike attitude. He hustles on every possession, and though he isn't an offensive juggernaut, his value will lie in rebounding, hustle and most importantly his senior leadership. Freshman Mason Plumlee will along with older brother and Sophomore Miles Plumlee see a good amount of minutes at the four and five this season. The Plumlee brothers each have a rare combination of athleticism, touch, and size that led to Coach K saying they were the frontrunners to start down low. Senior Brian Zoubek is finally healthy coming into this season and may very well be an X factor on this Duke team, if he can provide some productive minutes. Local North Carolina product and freshman, Ryan Kelly, will also earn some minutes at the 3 and 4 positions due to his ability to shoot the ball. Kelly is a skilled big man, but may still be too thin to be a force in the paint.
This Duke team has the experience and chemistry to win the ACC regular season and tournament titles. Their health and stamina are the only thing that can stand in there way.
Coach K will be in his first season in nearly four years where he can put full 100% attention on into his Duke squad. Fresh off a winning gold in last summer's Olympics, Coach K has said that he is refreshed and looking forward to the challenge of getting Duke back to contending for a National Championship. He is arguably one the the best motivators in the game today, so it will be interesting to see how he motivates this Duke team.
by Casey Head
Fantasy Player to Watch
Kyle Singler comes into his junior season with an opportunity to play on the wing for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see how Singler's rebound numbers are affected, as he was 2nd on the team in rebounds/40 minutes a season ago. Regardless, Singler and teammate Jon Scheyer will get enough shots to be a force in ACC Fantasy Basketball.
