Duke Double? Five Key Games to a Duke Repeat

It is getting closer. 

The North Carolina weather is slowly starting to get colder, deer season is almost open, and next year's schedule is finally out.

It is rare to have a true chance at a back-to-back run. That dream is one that will be shared by Duke followers all over the world. 

As the season begins we will break down each and every game in great detail. In the mean time, let's look at five key games to Duke's repeat run. 

Duke vs. Gonzaga/Kansas State

The first big-time challenge Duke will face will be against Gonzaga or Kansas State. All three schools are in the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. 

Duke will play one of the two, which are likely to be ranked and the first true test for Coach K's bunch.

A win of this nature early in the season is huge for many reasons, but none as important as confidence. 

This matchup signifies that conference play is just over a month away, and if the Devils can defeat a possible top 10 team, they will KNOW the repeat is a real possibility.

Call this one a real-time barometer of just how successful this team can be.

Duke vs. Michigan State

A ton of haters around the world called Duke's title run lucky. If Duke was the luckiest team in the nation, Michigan State would have been the opposite.

The Spartans were a Final Four team that had the talent to win it all but were devastated by the injury bug. 

Coach Tom Izzo is one of the best in business and this matchup is an honest assessment of how good the new look Devils really are.

Michigan State lost Chris Allen, and almost lost Izzo to the NBA. It will be interesting to see how their postseason run and offseason combine into the makeup of this team.

Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers will be back and looking to lead this team.

A win here more than likely means that Duke is the top team in the nation and playing extremely well.  This is one of those games with a March Madness atmosphere only halfway through the year.

Duke vs. Butler

Butler believed -- now it wants another chance to prove that it not only belongs among the nation's best, but that it can beat college basketball's juggernaut.

As a title game rematch, this game is a must for this list.

Butler was merely inches away from beating Duke after nearly dropping a half-court shot that would have shocked the college basketball world.

This is Butler's first shot at redemption. A win won't get them a banner, but it could put a Band-Aid on a broken heart of a small Indiana college.

Duke vs. North Carolina

If you don't believe that Duke-North Carolina should be on this list, then you must not have a pulse. 

This is the greatest rivalry in sports. 

Last year North Carolina had no answer to anything the Blue Devils put together. This year could be a bit different.

The Tar Heels added fuel the rivalry's fire by signing Kyrie Irving's rival Harrison Barnes.

Both of these games will be tough barn burners!  If Duke beats North Carolina twice, then the power swing in this rivalry will be in full effect.

It is opening week for football, although Duke won't be bad, it is still another sign that basketball season is getting closer and closer.

The official countdown has begun. The craziness begins Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Until that time, stay tuned to the best coverage of Duke Basketball here at Bleacher Report!