Duke Basketball: Why Blue Devils Are the Clear Favorite in the ACC

Just like most seasons in the past, the Duke Blue Devils are the clear favorite in the ACC for the 2012-13 season. 

However, that does not mean that other teams in the ACC won't give the Blue Devils trouble because this conference will have plenty of talented teams and players.

Andre Dawkins being redshirted may have thrown Duke fans off, but there is no reason to worry in Durham because this team will be stacked for yet another year. 

Read on to see why Duke is the clear favorite in the ACC. 

North Carolina Took a Hit from the NBA Draft

In case you missed it, just about everyone from the North Carolina Tar Heels last season will not be on the team this season, thanks to the NBA draft. The Tar Heels lost Harrison Barnes, Kendall Marshall, Tyler Zeller and John Henson. As a result, North Carolina will most likely have an off year.

Translation: Duke will be the team to beat in the ACC.

It's not rocket science people. If North Carolina doesn't win the conference, then Duke does, and if Duke doesn't win the ACC, North Carolina does.

An off year for the Tar Heels means that the ACC is in the bag for the Blue Devils. 

Leadership

Duke has its fair share of leadership on its team this season. Seth Curry will be entering his senior season (third with Duke) this year and will be the go-to guy. Not to mention, the Blue Devils are also returning Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly, who will also be seniors this season.

All three of these players will be starters, and will be leading their team on and off the court. 

Good Player at Every Position

The Blue Devils are pretty much stacked at every position this year. 

Their starting lineup should go a little something like this:

Point Guard: Rasheed Sulaimon

Shooting Guard: Seth Curry

Forward: Amile Jefferson

Forward: Ryan Kelly

Center: Mason Plumlee

However, Alex Murphy and Quinn Cook are also capable of starting. This Duke team will shoot lights out from behind the arc, like always, but the Blue Devils will also have a very strong frontcourt going for them this season. 

So unlike previous years when Duke goes cold, they will be able to rely on their big men to lead the way, but expect Seth Curry and Ryan Kelly to drain threes all season long. 

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