The Duke basketball team has some serious concerns entering the NCAA Tournament.
It is officially NCAA Tournament time, and the Duke basketball team will be making its first appearance in the Big Dance since the 2018-19 season, in which the Blue Devils boasted Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and company.
Duke earned a No. 2 seed in the West Region on Selection Sunday and was pinned against the champions of the Big West Conference, the Cal State Fullerton Titans.
Fullerton won its conference championship by one point, 72-71, against Long Beach State and was given a No. 15 seed in the region.
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The Blue Devils have never played the Titans in the history of the two programs, but that will change on Friday night in Greenville, South Carolina.
Duke enters the contest having lost the ACC Championship Game to Virginia Tech, who would not have made the field without the automatic bid, but the pressure on the Blue Devils is immense in the final season under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Duke basketball sees daunting task ahead
There were no favors done to the five-time National Champions with their draw in the NCAA Tournament as the Blue Devils were paired with the No. 1 overall seed, the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Duke defeated Gonzaga on a neutral floor in November, but the ‘Zags have continued to play like one of the best teams in the country this season.
Texas Tech is the No. 3 seed in the bracket while Alabama, a dangerous team in its own right, is the No. 6 seed in the region.
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Gonzaga would potentially have to go through No. 8 Memphis, No. 5 UConn, and/or No. 4 Arkansas to advance to an Elite Eight matchup this month.
Given its past upsets in the Round of 64, Duke will not be looking past any opponent this postseason, and it shouldn’t given its recent performances.