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Last season's record: 30-7, 11-5 ACC (2nd), Lost to Villanova in NCAA tournament regional semifinals.
Key returning players: Kyle Singler, F, 16.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg; Jon Scheyer, G, 14.9 ppg, 2.8 apg; Nolan Smith, G, 8.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg.
Best-case scenario: Athletic forwards Mason and Miles Plumlee are the keys for this team. If they dominate the boards and find ways to create space for Singler, Scheyer and Smith, Duke could win the ACC and go deep into the NCAA tournament. A Final Four trip seems unlikely, though, because the Blue Devils don't have a player who can create his own shot in the closing seconds of a close game.
Worst-case scenario: The Plumlees are hardly a proven commodity. If they turn out to be more like Shavlik Randolph than Danny Ferry, and Singler struggles to create mismatches at his new position on the wing, Duke will finish behind North Carolina and won't go far in the NCAA tournament.
Player to watch: Mason Plumlee, F. At 6-foot-10, Plumlee has enough size to be an intimidating defensive presence as a freshman and could emerge as one of the best passers on the team.
Ken Tysiac
