Duke Basketball: 5 Things That Should Worry Blue Devils Fans in 2016-17

Duke might have the most talented team in college basketball next season, but nothing is guaranteed in sports.

Sure, the Blue Devils are adding the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, per 247Sports, while returning a handful of key players from last year's squad. In all likelihood, they will be the odds-on favorite to bring home a national championship when the season begins.

However, there are still reasons for concern. Duke fans know that while Kentucky was expected to run the table in 2015 thanks to a loaded roster, it was the Blue Devils who raised the trophy at the end of the NCAA tournament.

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the factors that should worry fans heading into the year.

Mostly Unproven Players

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The incoming freshmen are obviously highly regarded in scouting circles. Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum and Marques Bolden are all projected to be taken in the top 10 of 2017 NBA draft, according to Draft Express. Those three and Frank Jackson were all McDonald's All-Americans.

If they live up to the hype, the Blue Devils could become a dominant team with a lot of offensive weapons.

On the other hand, these players still haven't proven themselves at the college level. Duke is expecting strong performances right out of the gate from all of them, which is far from a guarantee. Derryck Thornton and Chase Jeter were also top-rated recruits but struggled as freshmen last season.

There are obviously veteran players on the roster like Grayson Allen, Matt Jones and Amile Jefferson, but Duke will struggle if the freshmen stars don't reach their expectations.

No True Point Guards

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Basketball lineups have become relatively positionless in recent years with the best teams being versatile enough to score in different ways while defending any opponent. However, there is still a lot of value in having a true point guard who can lead the team.

Tyus Jones was key in Duke's run to the 2015 title, while the lack of a facilitator this past season held the team back.

Allen led the way with 3.5 assists per game, but he is more of a shoot-first player. Jones, Luke Kennard and others have also spent time at the position without much success.

Obviously, Duke still had an elite offense this past season, and there are enough scorers on next year's squad to put up a lot of points. Still, the best teams are ones that have a trustworthy player running the show as an extension of the head coach. The Blue Devils don't necessarily have that, which leaves doubts heading into the year.

Harry Giles' Health

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Of all the players in Duke's incoming class, Giles might be the best. The 6'10" power forward is a versatile player who can score both inside and from the perimeter, capable of making shots from the outside as well as slashing in the paint.

There is a reason ESPN lists him as the No. 1 player in the 2016 class.

Unfortunately, he is coming off a missed season after tearing his ACL. The was the second major knee injury in his young career, making him a major risk heading into his freshman season in Durham.

Giles is expected to be 100 percent by November, but you never know with major injuries like this one. Considering his bright future, it also wouldn't be surprising if he keeps limited minutes during his one year in school before moving onto the next level.

While the forward could be a game-changing talent, that's only if he is healthy.

Defensive Question Marks

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According to KenPom.com, Duke finished last season ranked seventh in offensive efficiency but 107th in defensive efficiency.

Some issues will be resolved with the different personnel, including the poor defensive rebounding and an added shot-blocking presence. Jackson and Tatum also have the length and athleticism to be quality on-ball defenders alongside Jones.

The problem is Allen was wildly inconsistent defensively last season and figures to play a lot of minutes next year. The rest of the players have potential but are still relatively raw on that end of the floor.

In order for the Blue Devils to make drastic improvements on defense, it will require a lot of work and a lot of focus, two areas where not all young players excel.

Teams with More Chemistry

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Anything less than a national championship next season would be considered a disappointment for Duke. However, there are still plenty of teams that will provide serious challenges for the Blue Devils.

The biggest threat will be teams that have what Duke doesn't: experience.

Upperclassmen like Allen, Jones and Jefferson have been around for a few years now, but it will take a little while to mesh with the incoming players who will make up a major part of the rotation. The lack of chemistry could be an issue, especially when compared to some of the other top challengers around the country.

Villanova and North Carolina showed how important continuity could be as the two battled for the national championship last season. With each returning a lot of talent, they could once again be title threats in 2016-17. The same could be said about Oregon, Kansas, Xavier and others.

Duke and Kentucky have shown that one-and-done players can win championships, but these teams will not make things easy.

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