Basketball

Can we conclude at this point that the Duke era in College Basketball is over?

After last years disappointing season with many losses to unranked teams, the offseason defections and injuries I predict this is the tip of the iceberg, My prediction: Duke will finish under .500 in ACC for first time in many years in 2007-2008. Any thoughts?

Public Comments

1. I think Duke will always be good, or a atlest a solid team, but I think their dominant days are over
2. no duke will bounce back within two to three years because they always find talent from scouts but they will never be the best team though
3. Duke may no longer dominate, but as long as Coach K has the helm Duke should be allrite. He's a solid coach, a good recruiter, and can keep that program afloat.
4. Duke has always been a university which has based their major sport on basketball. They heavily recruit one sport and that's it. Sadly, for years they never had to recruit and now they pay for it. Last year the breakdown of players was as follow Seniors - 1 Juniors - 1 Sophmores - 6 Freshmen - 6 As you can see, there was no experiene there. I say in 2-3 years, theywill once again be a team to watch and be dominant. If not, one of my favorite teams will be struggling until the next set of binge recruiting years.
5. Historically speaking, well respected coaches will never continue to be down for long periods of time. However it can happen. Bobby Knight after winning his championship in 1987, had at least 9 losses in 15 of his next 19 seasons. On the other hand from 1988 -1992 Dean Smith lost 38 games an average of almost 10 a year. The 7 years prior he had only lost 37 games, just over 5 a year. People thought he had lost it. He followed the next 5 seasons until retirement with only 35 losses right at 7 a year. Even though Duke lost 11 games last year, Since the last 9 loss season in 1996-97 Duke has averaged only 4.6 losses a season. This in a conference that has had MD win a championship, UNC win one and GTech make the finals in that time frame. So, as much as hate to say it, Coach K and Duke will be fine in the end.
6. That is silly. Was UNC's "era" over when it won just 8 games in '01-'02? Every program goes through hiccups over the years. If the jig was up for Coach K and Duke would he still be attracting multiple McDonald's All-American's to come to Duke every year? Last year's team had some serious chemistry issues last season and with McRoberts out of the way the team should go back to being one of the best programs in the ACC this upcoming season. They may not dominate as in years past but they should still finish in the top 25 and be in the tournament come March.
7. No, now is part of the USA BASKETBALL TEAM. starting by the coach!
8. nope. coach k is an amazing coach. they might not be the best right away, but they'll get there. they won't be at the bottom. one superstar can't carry a whole team, but a few good decent players who have good teamwork skills can. my prediction? they'll make it to the sweet sixteen.
9. no Duke has a chance of coming back with incoming players
10. Every program has down years, UNC had them when Daugherty was coach, pre Williams, and it seems that Kentucky as of late has had some down years. UCLA prior to Howland was bad too. And whats going on now, the power programs are once again reaching greatness. Duke has had one bad season 22-11 good record but not up to Duke standards, worst record in a little over 10 years. Duke will be significantly better this upcoming season and will win another championship within 3 years assuming they don't loose too many key players to the NBA
11. I do not think that our "time in the sun" is over. I know that we went 22-11 last yr, but how many programs would kill for 22 wins.? I know that in Durham, that is unacceptable and it was for me as well. But it has only been 3 yrs since the last Final four and only 6 since the last title. We are not through by any stretch of the mind. We have some awesome recruits coming in this yr in Kyle SIngler, Nolan Smith, Taylor King. We have 4 starters coming back this yr from that team that went 22-11. So people had not better count us out until the season is over because after all, We Are Duke, and we will make a statement this yr. This yr we finish 2nd in the ACC with a 13-3 record, get a #2 seed in the tourny and win it all over G'Town. Now how is that for a prediction?
12. You're judging from one season. North Carolina has had two losing seasons in the last ten years and look where they are now. These injuries aren't scaring me. Nelson is only out 6-8 weeks. Paulus is ready to go. Who cares about Zoubek? He's the king of traveling and fouling. On top of this look at their coach- Mike Krzyzewski... we all know he has tons of coaching talent counting on that he's the head coach of USA Basketball team. Duke will be a lot better next year- more experienced players, and an amazing recruiting class. From what I understand Duke could be a championship contender in '08-'09. No... Duke is just getting started! GO DUKE!!