Over the next month, we will be taking a look at some of this season’s top NCAA Tournament teams and profile what they’ll need for a repeat performance, between now and next March.
Fresh off of their fifth national title, the expectations at Duke aren’t likely to take many steps back for the 2015-2016 season. After all, this is Duke and Mike Krzyzewski that we’re talking about here.
The national champions are up first, as we look at what Coach K and staff need for another run in March and early April.
Key Losses: Quinn Cook (graduation)
Possible Losses: Jahlil Okafor (NBA Draft), Justise Winslow (NBA Draft), Tyus Jones (NBA Draft)
Key Returners: Amile Jefferson, Matt Jones, Grayson Allen, Marshall Plumlee
Key Newcomers: Luke Kennard (five-star, shooting guard), Chase Jeter (five-star, center)
Breakdown: The story of the coming days and weeks for Duke will be what the trio of Okafor, Winslow and Jones decide regarding the NBA. While all three are expected to declare, Jones was thought to be a lock for another year as recently as three weeks ago. Still, even if all three leave school, Coach K will be pairing two veterans in Jefferson and Jones alongside Allen, who showed the nation just how could he could be in the national title game. Kennard and Jeter should both figure into the rotation, or starting lineup, immediately once the season rolls around.
What remains to be seen for next year’s group will be who takes over for Jones at the PG spot if he’s not around to man it himself. When the Blue Devils put out a lineup with Allen, Kennard and Jones, it should be the nation’s most lethal backcourt from beyond the arc. Both Kennard and Allen are off-ball guards, but it’s possible that Allen could slide over if needed. On the inside, Duke should have an effective group that, while not deep, is versatile and athletic. Jeter will be the most offensively capable of the three, but Jefferson advancing in that regard wouldn’t come as a tremendous surprise.
