Duke Preview Capsule

Duke preview capsule

Eds: Should stand. With: BC-BKC--Duke Preview.

By The Associated Press=

Duke

Last season: 25-11, lost in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

Nickname: Blue Devils.

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski.

Conference: Atlantic Coast.

Who's gone: F Brandon Ingram, G Derryck Thornton, F Marshall Plumlee.

Who's back: G Grayson Allen. Third-team AP All-American averaged 21.6 points last season; F Amile Jefferson. High-energy leader is back on a medical hardship waiver and was missed last season after suffering a foot injury in December. G Matt Jones. Brings toughness on defense and shoots 41.5 percent from 3-point range.

Who's new: F Harry Giles and F Jayson Tatum. Two of the biggest names in a six-man freshman class rated among the nation's best. Giles missed last season after tearing his right ACL, and is recovering after having his left knee scoped, but once healthy figures to be a force inside. Tatum is a prolific scorer from the small forward position.

The Skinny: It might be NCAA championship or bust for the Blue Devils, who used a similar blueprint two years ago to win their fifth national title behind future first-round picks Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow and Tyus Jones. If the freshmen mix well with a solid core of returners, Duke is more than capable of cutting down the nets in April.

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Online:

AP College Basketball: collegebasketball.ap.org