Is Duke Really a Threat to UNC's ACC Crown?

ACC play begins for Duke on Sunday with an evening tilt against Virginia Tech. As Coach K's team opens up conference play, everyone has one question: Is Duke for real, and if so, can they stand in the way of North Carolina's steamroller of a basketball team?

The Blue Devils have jumped out to an 11-1 start, with their one loss coming in a rematch against Michigan. They appear to be the No. 2 team in the ACC, a bona fide lock to match up with UNC not once or twice, but possibly three times if you count the inevitable ACC Championship Game.

But, as Brad Pitt so eloquently puts it in Burn After Reading, "appearances can be...deceptive."

As a Blue Devils homer, it pains me to say it, but I don't see Coach K's boys doing anything more than they accomplished last year, a Sweet 16 spot, if they're lucky.

Granted, they have only lost one game and dominated just about every other team, including a talented Purdue squad, but their lone loss told me all I need to know about this team: If they can't make their shots from beyond the arc, they can't do diddley.

It pains me to say it, hear it, and type it, but the Devils' greatest strength is also their greatest weakness. When they're on, they are really on, but when they're not, they're no different than Duquesne, only with nicer jerseys (Thank you, Nike). 

Duke finished 7-for-33 from three-point range in their eight-point loss to the Wolverines, marking the third straight defeat, dating to last year, when they shoot for less than 25 percent from downtown. In addition, the only significant subs this team fields come in the form of Greg Paulus and David McClure, the latter being no more than a defensive stalwart.

Sure, it was dandy that they managed to reel in a top recruit in 6'7" forward Olek Czyz, but they still have no offensive force down low to come in and spell Kyle Singler. On top of it all, Brian Zoubek is still Brian Zoubek, no matter how much people claim he has changed his game.

Once Duke gets into the grind of ACC play, last year will repeat itself. Teams will focus on roughing Singler up. I know he gained 25 pounds of muscle or whatever, but taking the court night after night in this ACC is hell.

And after Lance Thomas fouls out, the Blue Devils will have nothing left but the long ball. And no matter how good Jon Scheyer, Paulus, and Nolan Smith are, they can't, and won't, make them all.

Even if Coach K's boys manage to get through all that...the Blue Devils still have to face UNC...and Psycho T. Oy vay!

As such, through 12 games, where most see a team that has legitimate quality wins over said Purdue team, and Michigan, AND Xavier, I see only the same team that lost to West Virginia in the second round of last year's NCAA tourney.

Here's to hoping I'm wrong.