Duke Blue Devils
2020-2021 Overall Rank: #7
Conference Rank: #2 ACC
Duke had another solid season in 2019-2020, finishing the year 25-6 and tied for second with a 15-5 mark in ACC play. Heading into 2020-2021, the Blue Devils lose their top three scorers and they will certainly miss Vernon Carey, Tre Jones and Cassius Stanley, but Coach Krzyzewski has brought in a great recruiting class. And unlike some years, Duke has quite a few players returning who should provide plenty of continuity.
2019-20 Record: 25-6, 15-5
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Coach Record: 1,084-291 at Duke, 1,157-350 overall
Key Departed Players:
Vernon Carey, Center, 17.8 ppg
Tre Jones, Guard, 16.2 ppg
Cassius Stanley, Guard, 12.6 ppg
Alex O’Connell, Guard, 5.2 ppg
Javin DeLaurier, Forward, 3.5 ppg
Jack White, Forward, 3.1 ppg
Justin Robinson, Forward, 2.8 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Matthew Hurt, Sophomore, Forward, 9.7 ppg
Wendell Moore Jr, Sophomore, Forward, 7.4 ppg
Joey Baker, Junior, Forward, 5.0 ppg
Jordan Goldwire, Senior, Guard, 4.7 ppg
Key New Players:
Jaemyn Brakefield, Freshman, Forward
Henry Coleman III, Freshman, Forward
Jalen Johnson, Freshman, Forward
Jeremy Roach, Freshman, Guard
DJ Steward, Freshman, Guard
Patrick Tape’ Senior, Forward, Grad Transfer from Columbia
Mark Williams, Freshman, Center
Projection:
Power forward Matthew Hurt is the team’s top returning scorer with 9.7 points per game. He led the Blue Devils in made three-pointers with 42 and hit 39.3 percent of his long range attempts. Having a dangerous stretch four like Hurt will open up space for the rest of the offense. Wendell Moore also had a good freshman campaign, averaging 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds. With Joey Baker also back, the frontcourt already has some depth. The backcourt only returns Jordan Goldwire. He was a regular starter though and averaged 4.7 points, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals. Newcomers like Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward. Roach will help run the point and Steward has the talent to emerge as one of the team’s top scorers. Roach and Steward are not the only big time recruits heading to Durham though. Small forward Jalen Johnson highlights the group and Duke will rely on him to help replace the departed scoring. As long as the six talented freshmen live up to their potential, Duke will find themselves right in the mix for an ACC title. There could be some growing pains along the way, but that is often the case with Duke. By March, the Blue Devils will be one of the most dangerous teams in the country and eyeing a trip to the Final Four.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.5 (2nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.0 (139, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.0 (26, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.7 (105, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.0 (201, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.2 (79, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.0 (135, 7)
Rebound Margin: 5,7 (29, 3)
Assists Per Game: 15.5 (24, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (187, 11)
Madness 2021 NBA Draft Rankings:
#10 Jalen Johnson
#29 DJ Steward
#31 Wendell Moore
#54 Jeremy Roach
Madness 2020 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#12 Jalen Johnson
#23 Jeremy Roach
#27 DJ Steward
#29 Mark Williams
#37 Jaemyn Brakefield
#54Henry Coleman III
