As the NCAA Tournament comes to a close, GMS likes to review some of the power conference or power program teams that made it to the Big Dance and ask whether or not they’ve got a shot to return to the show next season. We continue on with teams eliminated in the Sweet 16 round.
Recruit and Reload: Duke Blue Devils
Key Losses: Brandon Ingram, Marshall Plumlee, Derryck Thornton
Key Returners: Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard, Matt Jones, Amile Jefferson
Key Newcomers: Harry Giles, Frank Jackson, Jayson Tatum, Javin DeLaurier
Breakdown: This is ridiculous. Look at that returning core, one that would put Duke among the nation’s top ten regardless of who was coming in their recruiting class. They’ve got the front runner for the Naismith and Wooden Awards in Allen, with shooters in Kennard and Jones–not to mention a healthy Jefferson. It’s insane.
But, they’re not done. This is perhaps the best recruiting class in the country as well, headlined by Giles, who is either the No. 1 or No. 2 recruit in the nation depending on who you ask. This is what a national title favorite looks like, folks.
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