Shabazz Muhammad to UCLA: Duke in Deep Trouble After Shabazz's Slight

Is Mike Krzyzewski beginning to lose it when it comes to recruiting?

Wednesday night, the Duke Blue Devils were one of the last three candidates to land No. 1 recruit Shabazz Muhammad’s services and whiffed.

He ended up going to a UCLA team that just had their head coach exposed by Sports Illustrated for his crude ‘tude and questionable decision-making skills when it came to behavioral problems.

Now the Dukies have to endure life without the explosive left-hander that has a complete offensive repertoire and is a force on the glass as well.

Muhammad would have been exactly what Cameron Indoor needed with the departure of primary scorer Austin Rivers to the NBA. Sure it’s great that Mason Plumlee will return for his senior season after averaging 11.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this past season. With Ryan Kelly already entrenched down low, they have two 6’10’’ guys to build around.

But who else is going to ensure they don’t lose in the first round again?

Gone are the days where future Dukies littered the McDonald’s All-American rosters. This year, they have three-point threat Rasheed Sulaimon committed to the Blue Devils, but that’s it.

Duke isn’t even in ESPNU’s top 25 recruiting rankings for 2012. That means there are a whopping six teams from the ACC that have better talent heading to their campus.

The guard play is going to be atrocious. Aside from rising senior Seth Curry, there really is no experience whatsoever.

With the way Duke relies on the dribble-drive and pick-and-pop, they need shooters all over the floor to keep their offense balanced.

Almost exactly a month after getting absolutely embarrassed by Leigh, the Dukies find themselves in the same situation once again after whiffing on a player they desperately needed. OK, embarrassing might be a strong word, but don’t underestimate the impact Wednesday night’s decision will have on the future of not only UCLA, but Duke as well.

Coach K. is going to have his hands full with this team in the fall…only a few weeks after coaching the Olympic team in London.

Time for the Hall-of-Famer to work his magic with the X’s and O’s because he can no longer compete with the big boys in the recruiting game any longer. 

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