No. 1 Duke Blue Devils

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Last Season: 35-3, 13-3 (t-1st ACC), won the national title

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

Key Losses: Jon Scheyer, Brian Zoubek

Newcomers: Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Tyler Thornton, Josh Hairston

Projected Lineup:

• G: Kyrie Irving, Fr.
  
• G: Nolan Smith, Sr.
  
• F: Kyle Singler, Sr.
  
• F: Mason Plumlee, So.
  
• F: Miles Plumlee, Jr.
  
• Bench: Andre Dawkins, So.; Seth Curry, So.; Ryan Kelly, So.; Tyler Thornton, Fr.; Josh Hairston, Fr.
  

Outlook: The Blue Devils won the 2010 national title, and while they lost Brian Zoubek (Who would have ever thought he would be a 'key loss'?) and an all-american in Jon Scheyer, this year's Duke team looks to be even more stacked.

It starts with the decision of Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith to return to college for their senior season. Singler, who had a rough start to his junior season, finished the year with a flurry. He carried the Blue Devils down the stretch and dominated in the postseason, winning the NCAA Tournament's MOP award. This season, with Duke's back court improved, Singler will be back to playing more of a three-four combo role, which suits his skill set just fine. He's always been a great shooter, but he has developed into a well-rounded offensive force.

Smith is as good of a player as you are going to find at the collegiate level. He doesn't really have a weakness in his game. He can shoot, he can put the ball on the floor, he can penetrate to score or pass, and he can really defend. But perhaps his best attribute as a player is that he is a willing role player despite having a legitimate shot at making first team all-america. Freshman Kyrie Irving will be joining Smith in the back court. Irving has gotten a ton of praise early on, from people saying he plays the game like a veteran to comparisons with Jay Williams and Isiah Thomas. If he lives up to this hype, Harrison Barnes will not be a shoe-in for ACC freshman of the year.


While those are Duke's big three, there is a talented supporting cast as well. Seth Curry is Steph's younger brother. As a freshman at Liberty, he averaged 20.2 ppg and spent his transfer season going against Smith and Scheyer everyday in practice last season. Its tough to imagine he hasn't gotten a great deal better. Sophomore Andre Dawkins is back as well. He got off to a great start last season, but he struggled (understandably) after his sister died in a car accident while coming to watch him play. Freshman Tyler Thornton could also see some time.

Duke has size and talent on their front line once again, but they will be looking for someone to develop that mean streak that Zoubek had at the end of last year. The favorites to do so are the Plumlee brothers. Mason is bigger, more athletic, and a better prospect, but Miles was the starter and the more productive player last year. I've heard good things about Ryan Kelly this summer and fall, as well as Josh Hairston, but I can't imagine there will be too many minutes for these two kids to play.

Duke has three legitimate stars. And those three stars don't care who scores the most points on a nightly bases. They want to win another title. The Blue Devils also have a big, athletic front line that is young, but should be developing some maturity after last season. If Duke isn't your preseason No. 1 and your early pick to win it all, then you are just trying to draw attention to yourself.