Perfectly predicting the scores of every Duke basketball game this season

Predicting the Duke basketball outcome in the 2021 NCAA Tournament

Dates: March 16 through April 5

Location: All games likely to take place in Duke-friendly Indianapolis

Prediction: The Blue Devils won’t boast enough depth at the five-spot to overcome foul trouble down low. They won’t boast enough 3-point weapons and playmakers in the regular rotation — which, of course, Mike Krzyzewski will have dwindled to seven or eight by this point in March Madness — to outgun all the lower seeds who will be gunning for an upset of No. 2 seed Duke.

Therefore, against veteran sharpshooting No. 6 seed Saint Louis in the Sweet 16, an exhausted Duke squad will clank one too many heaves from deep. And with their 7-foot freshman shot-blocker Mark Williams sitting on the bench with five fouls, the Blue Devils will give up one too many easy buckets to the Billikens around the basket down the stretch.

This, unfortunately, is where the 2020-21 Duke basketball story will end.

Pessimistic predicting? Sure. Hopeful that the young Blue Devils will make this prediction look silly? No doubt.

Duke’s predicted overall final record: 26-7 (17-3 in ACC)…One banner goes up in the Cameron Indoor Stadium rafters since the Blue Devils will have finished first in the ACC standings for the first time since 2010.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball news, views, and predictions.