Skip to content

This just in: Duke really isn't that great

Jamie Rhodes / USA TODAY Sports

They aren't who we thought they were.

Along with Kentucky, Duke entered the 2016-17 season expected to run all over the NCAA. After losing their second straight game Saturday versus Louisville, however, it's becoming abundantly clear these Blue Devils are really nothing special.

Here's why the Blue Devils are falling short of preseason expectations, and why they're unlikely to change paths any time soon:

5-stars not clicking yet

Optimism followed Duke into the campaign after Coach K pulled in one of his best-ever recruiting classes, yet so far the Blue Devils have very little to show for it.

Harry Giles, the nation's top recruit, looks more like a four-year project than a one-and-done star. He's averaging under six points per game and struggled simply to establish post position against the Cardinals in Saturday's 9-point defeat.

Jayson Tatum and Frank Jackson, the next two five-stars, are both averaging double digits in points per game, but have shown zero ability to take over games and operate as go-to players. Marques Bolden, the last of the five-stars, has fallen out of Duke's rotation altogether, making him a forgotten man at the end of the bench.

Terrible showings against top competition

Victories against the likes of Marist, Grand Canyon, Maine, and Elon don't impress anyone, so let's look at how the Blue Devils have made out against the four toughest challenges they've faced so far:

Date Location Opponent Result
Nov. 15 Neutral Kansas 77-75 (L)
Dec. 31 Road Virginia Tech 89-75 (L)*
Jan. 10 Road Florida State 88-72 (L)
Jan. 14 Road Louisville 78-69 (L)

*Grayson Allen didn't play due to suspension.

Duke's most significant wins this year have come against Michigan State and Florida, neither of which look particularly impressive right now. The Blue Devils face 12-4 Miami next, and will later meet the likes of North Carolina, Virginia, and Notre Dame, so the road to March will only get harder for the 14-4 club.

While they're still good enough to finish with a respectable record and obtain a nice seed in the NCAA tournament, it doesn't look like the Blue Devils will race through the conference like many believed they would when the campaign commenced.

Lack of chemistry

Duke had six assists in the loss to Louisville, which speaks to two problems: the team legitimately has no point guard, and there's a lack of chemistry.

Grayson Allen is the primary ball-handler - or point guard, if you will - but he's more of a scorer than a distributor. Allen and just about every player in the program needs the ball in his hands to impact the game, and that prevents ball movement and leads to ball-sticking instead.

Only Amile Jefferson, currently sidelined with a foot injury, excels without the ball, which helps explain why his absence is such a big deal. Too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil a good meal, and that's what's happening at Duke.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox