Duke Basketball: Is Talk of Going Undefeated a Blessing or Curse?

Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski knows the pressures that come along with being the top-ranked team in the nation.

Under his leadership, the Blue Devils have won four National Championships and 12 ACC regular season titles. His teams are perennially ranked among the top 10 and currently serve as the No. 1 team in college basketball. 

Year in and out, Duke enjoys as much success as any team while playing one of the most difficult and pressure-packed schedules.

Still, there are some pressures that Duke just can't handle. And the notion of the Blue Devils running the table to finish the regular season undefeated is on that list.

Just seven games into the season, it's already being wondered by some if Duke can become the first team to go undefeated since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers.

The Blue Devils' impressive 84-79 win over sixth-ranked Michigan State has only further fueled predictions of what could be.

Fortunately, the mild-mannered Krzyzewski isn't even considering it. Coach K shot down the possibility of an undefeated season sternly Wednesday night after the Blue Devils' triumph over the Spartans.

Despite the solid start, Krzyzewski thinks that his team still has a lot to learn. While that's likely coach-speak, it's certainly a scary thought for the ACC.

Still, the last thing the youthful Blue Devils should be worrying about is going undefeated.

Duke has cruised through what seems like the tough part of its non-conference schedule. But, the grind of the ACC is sure to take a toll on the Blue Devils, who'll face North Carolina, Maryland and Clemson, among others, before entering the ACC postseason tournament. 

Among Duke's starting five is a freshman—Kyrie Irving—and two sophomores—Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee.

While these three are some of the best young talent in college basketball, it's certain that the burden of protecting an undefeated season will wear on them.

And, with the ultimate goal being a fifth National Championship, the notion of Duke finishing the season undefeated should be dismissed.