STF Super Awesome Team Previews: #14 Duke Blue Devils

#14 DUKE BLUE DEVILS



Team: Duke

Conference: ACC

2006 Record and Ending: 22-11, lost to VCU in the opening round

Key Players Returning: Outside of Josh McRoberts, everyone returns from last year's very un-Dukelike squad. PG Greg Paulus now has two seasons under his belt and is out of excuses for his up-and-down play. Leading scorer DeMarcus Nelson is the only senior for the Blue Devils, so look for him to provide leadership. I was a big fan of then freshmen guards Gerald Henderson and Jon Scheyer. Expect both to make the leap to impact players this season.

What's To Love: Last season was a Duke hater's dream; .500 finish in a conference play and the Blue Devils were basically the only team to get upset in the first round of the tournament. Couldn't have been scripted any better. The bad news for Duke haters; it looks like that last season is going to be a one-time occurrence. This team returns one of the most talented and experienced backcourts in the nation (Paulus, Scheyer, Henderson), possibly has the best outside shooting in the nation, has outstanding depth and is bringing in one of the best freshmen in the country (Kyle Singler). Don't expect another first round flameout.

What's Not To Love: With the absence of Josh McRoberts, there is a gigantic hole in Duke's frontcourt. It will be up to a the trio of David McClure, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek to fill in the void. The Blue Devils will also need to cut down on their turnovers (mostly from Paulus) before they can even think about being a national title contender.

Key Player: After a strong freshmen season (12.2 ppg), Jon Scheyer appears ready to take over the coveted "Annoying-white-guard-from-Duke- who-can't- miss-an-outside-shot" position previously held by JJ Redick, Mike Dunleavy, and Bobby Hurley. If he can elevate his game into AWJS territory this season, Duke can go from Top 25 to Top 10 in a hurry.

Best Case: Scheyer becomes Duke's next great AWJS (Annoying-White-Jump-Shooter), Paulus continues to shoot treys as well as he did at the end of last season, Thomas and Zoubek provide something in the post, Duke's depth and outside shooting makes up for its lack of athleticism.

Worst Case: Paulus reverts back to the PG that can't get the ball across halfcourt (and gets teabagged while being dunked on), this team is killed in the rebounding department, the Blue Devils become completely dependent on the 3.

STF Prediction: Much like the Yankees, Notre Dame, Lakers and Cowboys, things are just better when Duke is relevant. While it may be one more season before we see Duke competing for a national title, this team will be much improved. 2nd or 3rd in the ACC, Sweet 16.