The Most Important Devil: Kyle Singler

The Duke Blue Devils are the D1 juggernauts.  They currently stand on top of the college basketball mountain patiently waiting for next season to begin. 2010-2011 will be a very important season for the Devils.  They suit up one of the strongest teams in the nation and will be ready to blow your team out on any given night.

If Duke wants any chance of repeating, they will need solid play from both upper and lower classmen. 

In this series of articles, I am going to take a look at Duke's top players.  On this journey we will compare, contrast, and pick apart the Devils' top four, but tonight we begin with none other than Mr. MOP himself, Kyle Singler.

Santa came in early summer for many Duke fans this year, as Kyle decided to keep his magic act cemented on the grounds of Duke University.  Out of every Blue Devil on this roster, Singler is far and away the one with the most on the line.

Many in the media would say that Kyrie Irving will be the most hyped baller in blue next season, but I would disagree.

Kyle Singler will be in a fight for ACC's best player and has a real opportunity to challenge for the NCAA POY.

Last season, Kyle was arguably the most important player down the stretch.  He led Duke throughout the NCAA tourney, earning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award.  As soon as the nets were cut, most feared that Singler would dart to the NBA—they were wrong.

In all, Singler averaged 17.7 points per game, 2.4 assists per game, and seven rebounds per game. 

In the upcoming season the team will look to him for leadership, guidance, scoring, and defense.  He will be the best player on the court for either team in almost every single game.  If Duke is able to repeat as champs, it means that Kyle Singler stepped his game to another level and led this team.

On Thursday I will post my next installment of the Most Important Devil with a look at how Nolan Smith could steal the spotlight from Singler and lead the team to another Duke title.