By: Reynolds Hawk

Twitter- @reynoldshawk

4/21/19

“Could the Duke Blue Devils be even better in 2019-20?!”

College basketball was an absolute joyride this season. Every team

has their story, and while the Virginia Cavaliers finally won a

national title, teams like Duke and Michigan State have their eyes

set on next year’s NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils knew

coming into the 2018-19 season that anything less than a national

championship would be a failure to meet expectations and reach

their full potential. As we all know since most of you were

probably celebrating, the Blue Devils fell short to Michigan State

in this year’s Elite Eight 68-67. This of course was an enormous

heartbreak to coaches, players, and fans. The loss was even worse

for Duke Point Guard, Tre Jones, who was born and raised in

Minneapolis, and was fighting for the opportunity to win a

championship in front of his mother as she is currently battling

breast cancer. But what will the Blue Devils look like coming into

next season after losing the services of Zion Williamson, RJ

Barrett, and Cam Reddish? Duke’s 2019-20 roster is shaping up with

the return of Point Guard, Tre Jones, and the potential signing of

(#6 SG) Cassius Stanley:

With this being said, here is a look at a projection of next years lineup:

G: Tre Jones

G: Alex O’Connell

G: Jordan Goldwire

CG: Boogie Ellis

SG: Cassius Stanley

G/F: Wendell Moore

F: Matthew Hurt

F: Joey Baker

F: Jack White

F: Javin DeLaurier

F: Justin Robinson

C: Vernon Carey

C: Marques Bolden

What stands out the most when evaluating this roster is the depth

that Duke will have at the guard position. Not only that, but Tre

Jones, Jordan Goldwire, and Alex O’Connell have all seen

meaningful minutes at the college level, bringing experience to the

table as well. Coach K’s team won’t possess as much raw talent as

the 2018-19 roster, but there is talent, and a lot of key players are

returning to Durham next season. Guard play and experience are

crucial in order to hang a banner, and the Blue Devils can expect

just that when the college basketball season rolls around. With

Vernon Carey, Matthew Hurt, Wendell Moore, Boogie Ellis, and

potentially Cassius Stanley joining next year’s squad, it’ll be

interesting to see if the Blue Devils can claim title number six.