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#1 Duke Blue
Devils
Atlantic Coast
Conference
2004-05: 27-6,
11-5, 3rd
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
It is rare in
Duke’s
recent history for the team to have a tremendous amount of
depth. One doesn’t have to look too far back to see the latest
example. Reggie Love started four games last year. He’s not a
bad player, but if he was still around he wouldn’t see much time
this year. The lack of depth happens when you have so much
talent. The good players want to play and they want to get
paid. This year the Blue Devils will have no depth issues and
that is what makes this the best team in the nation.
Who’s Out:
While the rest of us will miss Shavlik Randolph, his 4.4 points
and 4.3 rebounds won’t be missed by Duke. Even Daniel Ewing’s
15.3 points and 4.0 assists are replaceable. The aforementioned
Reggie Love, who averaged 1.6 points and 2.7 rebounds as a
senior, has wrapped up his collegiate career. Sophomore David
McClure will be redshirted while recovering from knee surgery.
The 6-6 forward was hampered by injuries last season and
averaged 1.7 points and 1.4 points per game.
Who’s In: Josh
McRoberts anchors another stellar Coach Mike Krzyzewski
recruiting class. The 6-10 power forward is expected to compete
for a starting job and see significant action from day one. The
all-everything Carmel, Indiana native can rebound, score inside
and out and do everything else you’d expect from one of the top
recruits in his class. Joining him on that shortlist is point
guard Greg Paulus. The 6-1 Syracuse product averaged 26.8
points and 8.2 assists as a senior at Christian Brothers
Academy. Paulus most likely won’t start right away, but he’ll
see playing time backing up returnee Sean Dockery, and Dockery
will have to look over his shoulder as the season progresses.
Eric Boateng joined McRoberts and Paulus in the 2005 McDonald’s
All-America game and the 6-10, 255 pound center will battle
McRoberts for a starting spot. Boateng is a tremendous shot
blocker who, even as a freshman, will be a force under the
basket. Martynas Pocius, a native of Lithuania, has a
tremendous outside shot. He’s a smart wing and will provide
quality depth off the bench. Jamal Boykin would be a star in
most other classes. The 6-7 forward is very competitive and
will leave it all on the court. He won’t be the best athlete on
the team, but he’ll hustle under the basket and can step out and
hit the jumper. Walk-on guard Jordan Davidson rounds out the
group and will join his brother Patrick on the Duke squad.
Who to Watch:
The most fun thing to watch early in the year will be the battle
for minutes. J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams will start but
everything else is up for grabs. Will it be Sean Dockery or
Greg Paulus at the point; Lee Melchionni, DeMarcus Nelson or
Martynas Pocius on the wing; Josh McRoberts or Eric Boateng
alongside Williams in the paint? It really doesn’t matter who
starts. Coach K will have plenty of choices depending on the
situation when it matters at the finish.
Projected
Conference Rank: The number one team must finish 1st
in their conference and this time it might not even be that
close. Boston College, Maryland, Wake Forest, NC State…and so
on, have quality teams, but the Blue Devils are a step ahead of
the rest in the ACC. The talent is great, the coaching is
second to none, and with a little help from the Crazies, another
banner might be hanging in Cameron.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Sean Dockery, Senior,
Guard, 6.2 points per game
J.J. Redick, Senior,
Guard, 21.8 points per game
DeMarcus Nelson,
Sophomore, Guard, 6.2 points per game
Josh McRoberts,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Shelden Williams,
Senior, Forward, 15.5 points per game
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