Duke basketball: Preparation for statement season has officially begun

Duke basketball is gearing up for an instant return to its rightful throne.

On Monday night, for the first time in two years, college basketball crowned a champion: Baylor. But the 2020-21 season was far from normal in almost every aspect.

Perhaps the most unusual thing that happened was the Duke basketball program not making the NCAA Tournament. For decades, the Blue Devils have basically been a lock for the tournament every year. That lock finally broke as Duke finished 13-11 overall and failed to reach the Big Dance for the first time since 1995.

Now that the postseason has concluded, all eyes are on the 2021-22 season for the Blue Devils. As the program’s official Twitter account made sure to point out on Tuesday, the preparation for an opportunity at a sixth national title is officially underway:

It is safe to say that next year’s team in Durham will look very different from the team that took the floor this past season. Duke has already lost four players from last year’s team. DJ Steward, Jaemyn Brakefield, Jordan Goldwire, and Patrick Tape have already moved on elsewhere. Leading scorer and All-ACC First Team selection Matthew Hurt could be on his way out as well.

As of right now, the Blue Devils have six scholarship players from last year’s team still slated to return. Mark Williams, Jeremy Roach, and Wendell Moore are the most notable players expected to come back to Durham.

Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski has also been able to add three highly ranked freshmen to help take the team to the next level. Paolo Banchero, Trevor Keels, and AJ Griffin are all expected to provide immediate contributions next season.

There has also been some change on the Blue Devils coaching staff. Nate James accepted a head coaching role at Austin Peay after spending over a decade as an assistant. Jon Scheyer was also rumored to be in consideration for head coaching jobs, but it seems as if he will ultimately return to the sidelines working under Coach K.

A lot left to determine in terms of the 2021-22 Duke basketball roster

If Matthew Hurt decides to go to the NBA, then the Blue Devils would currently have just eight scholarship players on tap.

Duke remains in consideration for five-star prospect Patrick Baldwin Jr., and the program seems to be high on the sharpshooter’s list. But it is possible that he could go play under his father, who is the head coach for UW-Milwaukee.

If Mike Krzyzewski and his staff are unable to land Baldwin, then they likely have to get active in the transfer market. Historically, the program has been hesitant to accept transfers, but the coaches may need to as they could have too few scholarship players.

The Blue Devils obviously did not have the season they were hoping for the last go-round. This was one of the few Duke basketball teams unable to reach preseason expectations.

With that being said, that season is now history, and there is a lot of hope for the future.

Guys like Jeremy Roach, Mark Williams, Wendell Moore, Joey Baker, and Henry Coleman all gained valuable experience that will help them going forward.

Duke will once again be a young team that has to come together quickly. Yet despite the youth and the disappointing result last season, I would be shocked if the Blue Devils were not ranked in the preseason top 10.