College basketball 2017-18 preseason Top 25
By Chris Stone
No. 2 Duke Blue Devils
Notable departures: Harry Giles, Luke Kennard, Frank Jackson, Amile Jefferson, Chase Jeter, Matt Jones, Jayson Tatum
Notable returnees: Grayson Allen, Marques Bolden, Javin DeLaurier, Antonio Vrankovic, Jack White
Notable newcomers: Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter, Trevon Duval, Jordan Goldwire, Alex O’Connell, Gary Trent Jr., Jordan Tucker
In recent seasons, the Duke Blue Devils have developed a reputation for embracing small ball, playing one-and-done freshmen like Jabari Parker, Justise Winslow, Brandon Ingram and Jayson Tatum at power forward. Well, that’s all set to change this season as the Blue Devils have one of the most loaded frontcourts in college basketball.
Marvin Bagley III, a potential No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, is the highlight. The 6-foot-11 forward reportedly is modeling his game after Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he’s not at their level yet. Bagley takes a whole lot more 3s than he makes, but the potential is there, for example. However, as a big man in college basketball, he should dominate opposing defenders with his ability to handle it and his upper echelon athleticism. Then there’s Wendell Carter, another top-10 recruit, who should give Duke its best post presence offensively since Jahlil Okafor. Combined, the two could be a boon for the Blue Devils’ defense, which has lagged in recent seasons.
On the perimeter, another pair of young guys, Trevon Duval and Gary Trent Jr., should get plenty of run, but everyone will likely still be focused on the antics of senior Grayson Allen. The 6-foot-5 guard had a breakout sophomore season before regressing as a junior. Can he get back to his old ways for his final year in Durham?
Duke is incredibly young, but they have all the talent in the world and a senior leader to go with it. That could be enough to bring back another national championship trophy come March.
Read our full Duke preview here.