NCAA 2010-2011: Duke Back Where It Belongs, and Looks to Stay

From the moment Gordan Hayward's half court heave caromed off the iron and Duke celebrated their fourth championship, the good vibes have kept flowing.

As the 2010-2011 season fast approaches, the Duke basketball program has had its illustrious Coach K lead Team USA back to the top of the world. Kyrie Irving has emerged as a star, and Duke signed arguably the top recruit for 2011 in Austin Rivers, who is now starting the season at #1.

In recent years the Duke basketball program had faced its share of "adversity" (definitely a relative term), as people around the country questioned the depth and talent Coach K had brought to Duke.  But now the team is loaded, and top recruits are again coming to Durham.

The starting five should shape up as follows: Kyrie Irving PG, Nolan Smith SG, Kyle Singler SF, Mason Plumlee PF, Miles Plumlee C.

The bench is deep and talented: Seth Curry SG, Andre Dawkins SG, Josh Hairston PF, Ryan Kelly PF.

Curry is the the brother of Stephen Curry of Golden State, and the son of NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry.  He will provide instant offense off the bench, and instantly becomes one of the best sixth men in the country.  He should be a major contributor in 2011-2012 as Irving, Smith and Singler are expected to leave. 

After this year, however, there is even more good news, as the #1 recruit Austin Rivers, son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, shows up at Durham to follow the lead of Irving and contribute immediately as a "diaper dandy."

Expectations are high this year, and with the talent assembled, this has the makings of another Duke dynasty similar to that of the early 90s. 

Big bad Duke is back and here to stay!