Coach K Set To Succeed at Duke After Bringing USA Gold

Get ready, America.

It’s time for the Duke Blue Devils to be re-branded America’s team.

After leading Team USA to a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, coach Mike Krzyzewski is set to do the same with his young and talented Duke basketball team.

The 2009-'10 season may very well be the year the Blue Devils return to the top of the charts in NCAA Basketball.

With minimal hype surrounding this season’s Duke team, I believe Coach K and the Blue Devils are bound to have a remarkable season.

The ACC is a proven college hoops powerhouse year-in and year-out, but I really think Coach K has the pieces in place to bring the Dukies to that next level.

Over the past few seasons, despite relatively considerable success, the Blue Devils have continually fallen early in March Madness.

Look for that to change this season.

Duke will hit the hardwood this season with three returning seniors: Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas, and Brian Zoubek.

In addition, the Blue Devils junior department is stacked with Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith leading the charge (along with forward Steve Johnson and guard Casey Peters).

The Dukie’s sophomore class also has some potential future stars in Seth Curry (who will have to sit out this season after transferring), Olek Czyz, and Miles Plumlee (Miles’ brother, Mason, is a freshman on this year’s team).

Rounding out the freshman core are Andre Dawkins, Ryan Kelly, and Mason Plumlee.

The Plumlee brothers will definitely have a chance to shine this season, adding much-needed height to Coach K’s rotation.

Also look for possible standout seasons from guards Scheyer and Smith.

Those two are due for breakout performances this year.

I’d also bet on Lance Thomas having a very good season this year with the Blue Devils, as he worked a lot this offseason to improve his all-around game.

With Coach K’s USA gold memories fresh on the minds of the Duke players and coaching staff, look for the Blue Devils to return to greatness in 2009-10 (in preseason polls, the Blue Devils garnered a No. 8 ranking in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll).

If you didn’t know this already, write this down: As long as Coach K is leading Duke, they will always be great.

And as long as Coach K is at the helm, Duke will be competing for that coveted trip to the Big Dance and beyond every single season…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]