5 Ways Duke Can Fix Its Basketball Program

Throughout the landscape of men's college basketball, most people who religiously follow the sport want to know one thing: What is wrong with the Duke Blue Devils' basketball program?

Duke (19-4) recently lost their second ACC game at home in two weeks. Last weekend, the Blue Devils lost 78-74 in overtime to the Miami Hurricanes. The Blue Devils, ranked 10th in the latest Associated Press Top 25 standings, will face their arch-rivals, the North Carolina Tar Heels, on the road Wednesday night.

No team is more heavily-watched than Duke. The Blue Devils have been one of the more successful teams during the past two decades; since 1990, Duke has won four national titles (1991, 1992, 2001 and 2010); the most by any program during that span.

Despite all of their success, the Blue Devils have their share of problems. They are one of the most hated teams in college basketball. Their fans, the Cameron Crazies, have a reputation for rudeness. Their legendary coach—Mike Krzyzewski—has his detractors also.

Now, with the Blue Devils struggling, the questions of what is wrong are mounting.

Here are five ways to fix the Duke Blue Devils and their identity.

5. Recruit Bigger, Athletic Frontcourt Players

One of the biggest problems Duke has is rebounding.

The Blue Devils are ranked 106th in rebounding average (36.0) and they only out-rebound their opponents by 2.9. The Tar Heels lead the nation in both rebounds-per-game and margin, 46.3 and 11.6 respectively.

Mason Plumlee (pictured) is averaging 9.7 rebounds a game, along with 1.6 blocked shots. Plumlee, a 6'10" junior, is the Blue Devils best inside player. With his 36-inch vertical, he can be a game-changer inside, but there is little help elsewhere.

No other player on the roster has provided any help. In their four losses, the Blue Devils have been out-rebounded in three of the four games. In the 85-63 loss to The Ohio State, Duke was out-manned on the boards 32-23, while Buckeye star Jared Sullinger manhandled Plumlee to the tune of 21 points and eight rebounds.

North Carolina will definitely be a bigger problem for the Blue Devils, as they can put out 7-footer Tyler Zeller and 6'10" John Henson.

It is no secret that the Blue Devils struggle with bigger teams. A team like Baylor will give Duke problems in the upcoming NCAA tournament. During the 93-77 loss to the Arizona Wildcats in last year's tournament, Derrick Williams (now on the Timberwolves) had his way with the Blue Devils (32 points & 13 boards).

The problem can't be fixed immediately, but could be solved simply by recruiting bigger and more athletic front-court players.

4. Shed the Good Guy Image

For a team to have their mascot named after a devil, Duke plays like a bunch of choir boys.

Where is the nasty, mean streak on this team? The Blue Devils are being bullied in every facet of the game.

Duke has always had one or two players that played with an edge. Remember the Christian Lattener stomp of Kentucky Wildcats player Aminu Timberlake in the 1992 NCAA Tournament? Although Lattener looked as threatening as white bread, his demeanor was totally the opposite; He would get inside his opponent's head mentally. A few seasons ago, Gerald Henderson bloodied North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough with a forearm shot to the face.

No one on the present Duke team comes close to having a mean streak. Teams are no longer fearing the Blue Devils, and until the personality of the team changes, the problems will only get worse.

Duke is known for its recruitment of good-character players. But every now and then, they need to step out and bring in someone who will light a fire under the team.

3. Bring in Junior College Players

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski has been around college basketball long enough to know that sooner or later, you have to change with the times.

In Krzyzewski's 32 years at Duke, you can count the number of junior college transfers under him. The legendary "Coach K" has had only one junior college transfer to commit and that player did not ever suit up for Duke.  Carrick Felix, a Juco All-American with the College of Southern Idaho, had signed a letter of intent to play for Duke in May 2010, but a few days later he changed his mind and transferred to Arizona State. Felix would have been the first juco player to play under Krzyzewski.

Teams around the country are reaping huge benefits from bringing in juco players. Even though you'll only have them for one or two seasons, the prior experience factor is a plus. A player that could have helped the Blue Devils' most glaring need (point guard), Pierre Jackson, has turned the Baylor Bears into a serious national title contender. Several other juco players are making their names known throughout college basketball this season.

In order for Duke to make its way back to elite status, Krzyzewski may have to change his philosophy,  the school's image, and point the Blue Devils in a new direction.

2. A Point Guard with Swagger

The point guard position has long been a strong point for the Blue Devils under Krzyzewski.

From Bobby Hurley to Jason Williams to Kyrie Irving, Duke has always had a top-notch point guard. This season, though, the Blue Devils are struggling at the position. Seth Curry (pictured), Austin Rivers and Andre Dawkins have all taken turns at point guard, but none excelled.

Currently, the Blue Devils are ranked 130th in the country with just 13 assists-per-game. Opposing point guards have given Duke problems throughout the season. With March Madness a month away, the Blue Devils will see even more quality floor-leaders.

Yes, having an intelligent floor general is a big key, but in this present era of basketball, having a point guard with a little bounce in him is also important.

1. Change Race Perceptions

You cannot leave out race perceptions when you are talking about Duke basketball. The topic of race within the Duke basketball program has been a hot topic for several years.

On the Blue Devils preseason roster of 13, there were seven black players and six white. The problem has always been the "type" of black players that the university recruits.

Several African American former players—Grant Hill, Shane Battier and Jason Williams, to name a few—came from affluent areas. Current freshman guard Austin Rivers (pictured) is the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

The perception by most African Americans about Duke basketball is that they will not recruit inner-city kids; instead, they would rather bring a player that fits into the university's clean-cut image.

In order for the Blue Devils to dispel this myth, Krzyzewski may need to consider bringing in a good kid from the inner city; one that is talented enough and smart at the same time.

It may be in the Blue Devils' best interest to sign that type of player.