Duke Basketball: Bold Predictions for the Blue Devils' 2016-17 Season

One of the easiest predictions to make about the 2016-17 college basketball season is that Duke will have an elite team. The challenging part is predicting what will happen over the course of the year.

We know the Blue Devils will be one of the best teams in the country. They have brought in the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports, to pair with quality returning players who have already proved themselves at the college level. They may or may not win a national title, but it's almost a certainty they will be in contention.

Even with a lofty goal, there will be ways to exceed expectations in smaller ways over the course of the season. With a group as talented as this, the potential is almost off the charts.

As far as what this team can accomplish, here are some bold predictions for the upcoming season.

7 Different Players Have 20-Point Games

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Luke Kennard

Depth was a major problem last season, with rarely more than seven different players even stepping on the court in a given game. In 2016-17, there will be that many options capable of carrying the team for a contest.

The Blue Devils will have a rotation that can go 10-11 deep at times, but some of these players will feature smaller offensive roles. Some might average double digits, although it will be hard to get everyone the amount of playing time and shot attempts necessary to build consistent numbers.

However, this team will be deadly based on the ability of a handful of guys who can get a lot of points in a hurry.

Grayson Allen is the easiest bet to reach this mark after averaging more than 20 points per game a year ago. Jayson Tatum should also get there plenty of times as an advanced scorer who will make a quick transition to the next level.

With some hot shooting, Matt Jones, Luke Kennard and Frank Jackson should all be able to have at least a few noteworthy games. Both Jones and Kennard reached this mark last year a few times, while Jackson possesses even more upside.

Finally, big men Harry Giles and Marques Bolden won't always be featured players offensively, but both have the talent and size to be dominant against weaker opponents. 

These many options will ensure Duke doesn't have too many scoring droughts during the season.

Team Tops 40 Percent from Beyond the Arc

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Frank Jackson

Duke is known for its outside shooting, which usually ranks among the best in college basketball. However, hitting 40 percent of three-point attempts would be an outstanding accomplishment.

The Blue Devils haven't hit over 40 percent as a team in over 20 years, peaking at 39.9 percent in 2012-13, per Sports-Reference.com. Only 10 squads accomplished this feat this past season, although Michigan State, Oklahoma, Kansas and Virginia showed that success in this area can lead to a great regular season.

Allen should once again lead the way after knocking down 41.7 percent of shots from behind the three-point line last season. Meanwhile, players such as Jones, Kennard, Jackson and Tatum are all expected to be threats from deep. Even Giles can step out and hit a shot if given a chance.

Perhaps the biggest difference, however, is the fact Duke won't be reliant on the three as it has been in past years. Everyone on the floor can attack the basket and score in the paint, which will in turn lead to more space to pull up and shoot.

With likely fewer attempts from the outside compared to past seasons, the Blue Devils can increase their efficiency and only shoot when they are open, likely leading to the best percentage this program has seen in a long time.

Duke Doesn't Lose Until Conference Season

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Matt Jones

The official schedule has not yet been released, but we already know some of Duke's tougher matchups in the upcoming season, and all of them are winnable.

The Naismith Hall of Fame Tipoff has a relatively weak field, with only Cincinnati representing major competition. The Jimmy V Classic battle against Florida will be intriguing, but the Gators are a long way removed from their national title years.

A clash of top programs will take place in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge when Duke takes on Michigan State. Then again, playing at Cameron Indoor Stadium will give the Blue Devils an advantage, as will the fact the Spartans only return a single player who averaged more than four points per game. They will come in with a talented recruiting class, but it might take some time for this group to reach its peak.

One of the bigger events of the early part of the season every year is the Champions Classic, an event where Duke lost its first game this past year to Kentucky. This was understandable—with the Blue Devils coming in so young, it was actually the Wildcats who had more experience. This time around, the matchup against Kansas will feature more advanced players and a deeper lineup. Although the Jayhawks could have one of the best backcourts in college basketball, Duke has what it takes to survive this challenge and earn a resume-building win right out of the gate.

There will be teams in the ACC that will finally crack this squad, and an undefeated season is unlikely, but it will take some time to feel defeat.

Grayson Allen Wins ACC POY

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The ACC lost a lot of talent from this past season. ACC Player of the Year Malcolm Brogdon graduated, as did All-American Brice Johnson. Top prospects such as Brandon Ingram and Demetrius Jackson decided to make the leap to the NBA draft, as did the conference's leading scorer, Cat Barber.

Heading into next season, only three of the 15 players named to one of the All-ACC teams will return in 2016-17: Jaron Blossomgame, Michael Young and Allen.

After Allen averaged 21.6 points per game last season with impressive efficiency, next year's ACC Player of the Year award is his to lose. His numbers might drop as he learns to share the ball more with a talented lineup around him, but he will still be the best player on what should be the best team in the conference. This doesn't always clinch the award, but it would be a nice place to start.

There will be plenty of competition for this individual award, especially from Blossomgame, who has the potential to be a star next season for Clemson. Incoming freshmen such as Dennis Smith of North Carolina State, Florida State's Jonathan Isaac and Louisville's V.J. King are also threats to take over quickly.

Still, Allen has the talent to be one of the top offensive weapons in college basketball and is the favorite to bring home this honor.

4 Players Are Taken in NBA Draft Lottery

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Harry Giles

Top recruits usually like going to a program with a coaching staff that knows how to get players to the NBA. Although the draft doesn't necessarily impact the team on the floor, it's huge for the future.

This is good news for Duke this season, which features a few players who will be able to make an immediate jump to the next level.

The safest bets for the lottery are the freshman trio of Tatum, Giles and Bolden. Giles will have to prove he is healthy, but teams are always willing to bet on pure talent, and he has as much of it as anyone in the class. Tatum should be able to put up good numbers during his first year and convince scouts he can do the same in the NBA. As for Bolden, skilled true centers who can contribute on both ends of the court often turn into lottery picks, regardless of collegiate numbers.

Getting a fourth player into the lottery might be difficult, but Allen has a chance to play himself there with another strong season. He is currently ranked No. 23 in DraftExpress' 2017 mock draft as someone with offensive ability but concerns about his defense and quickness. His struggles against teams with length and athleticism (Kentucky, Utah, Oregon) are also a concern.

He has to prove he is capable of beating the types of players he would face in the NBA.

Jackson also has a chance to climb the rankings if he can showcase himself as a true point guard who can create opportunities for others as well as himself. With his physical talents, this is all he is missing.

If either of these men jumps into the top 14 with the other projected lottery picks, it would cap what should be a big year for Duke's program.

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