Duke Basketball: Kyrie Irving Thinking Pros, What's Next for Blue Devils?

For Duke men's basketball, this was supposed to be "The Year."

With seniors Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler returning, big men Miles and Mason Plumlee getting a year older, and super-freshman point guard Kyrie Irving coming in, the Blue Devils were the consensus favorite to become national champs for the second year in a row. 

But a funny thing happened on the way to history: Duke lost, and they lost big. It was a 93-77 smack-down at the hands of high-flying forward Derrick Williams and the fifth-seeded Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16, to be exact. 

Now that the dream has been derailed for the Blue Devils, what's next for the program? What impact will the loss of their seniors have? What happens if Irving jumps to the NBA?

Is there any hope for the Blue Devils next season?

We're taking a look at all of the potential changes in Duke's future, and breaking down just what they could all mean for this prestigious program. 

So, grab your Cameron Crazies t-shirt and your best Krzyzewski scowl, and let's get rolling!

What If Coach K Leaves?

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils gestures from the sidelines during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo b

We'll go ahead and debunk the least likely rumor right now: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski is not, I repeat, not, leaving Duke. 

The coach had his name pop up once more in rumors surrounding Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson's replacement. But Coach K quickly put those rumors to bed, telling reporters that while he had considered leaving Duke, he was staying put. 

While losing Coach K would be devastating to this program, the fact that it won't happen means we really don't need to spend much time talking about the impact it would have. 

What Does the Loss of Singler, Smith Mean to Blue Devils?

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Malcolm Delaney #23 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is blocked by Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils as teammate Nolan Smith #2 drives the ball during the second half in the semifinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournam

A much more real concern for the Blue Devils next season is the loss of their two talented seniors, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith. 

Smith blossomed into the star of the show for Duke this season, averaging 20.6 points, 5.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils, and established himself as the team's go-to scorer and on-court leader, particularly after Kyrie Irving went down. His scoring touch, as well as his ability to make plays and knock down shots, will be tough to replace. 

Singler's contribution slipped a bit this season, as he averaged 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds, both of which were less than his totals last season. However, he was still a sharpshooting small forward, whose size and athleticism made him a matchup nightmare for opponents. 

Losing both of these guys represents a big blow to the Blue Devils' hopes for next season, as Singler's size and scoring touch aren't easy to find again, while Smith's all-around game made him an incredibly valuable commodity. As if that weren't enough, their leadership skills and experience aren't easy to replicate, either. 

Without them, the Blue Devils will have to rely on shooters like Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry and big men like Miles and Mason Plumlee, as well as their rising star, point guard Kyrie Irving. 

What If Kyrie Irving Jumps to the NBA?

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by

One of the most promising Duke players still on the roster as of now is freshman point guard Kyrie Irving.

He was sublime for the Blue Devils through the first two months of the season. Unfortunately, he suffered a toe injury in early December that sidelined him through the end of the regular season. 

However, he returned in time for the tournament, though not quite at 100 percent. He played a key role in what success the Blue Devils did achieve.

Losing Irving after just a season would be downright devastating for the Blue Devils' hopes next season. He's the closest thing this team has to a star left on the roster.

They'll lack a proven scorer or playmaker, as Curry and Dawkins are still wildly inconsistent and the Plumlees aren't quite ready to take over as dominant players.

This could mean a rather long year at Cameron Indoor without the young point guard. 

If Irving decides to stick around, though, the Blue Devils will still see success next year because they'll have the scorer they need. Combine that with a strong supporting cast and they should stay competitive in the ACC. 

Help Coming In?

While there may not be much star power on the Blue Devils' roster if Kyrie Irving leaves, there is plenty of hope on the horizon in the form of a bumper crop of incoming freshmen. According to Rivals.com, Duke's recruiting class features three four-star recruits, in point guard Quinn Cook, small forward Michael Gbinije and power forward Marshall Plumlee, while ESPN.com rates them as a 96, 97 and 96, respectively. 

But the real gem from the class is top-overall prospect Austin Rivers. The shooting guard is the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and he could be just what Duke needs next season. Rivers has a stellar shooting touch, both from long range and driving to the hoop. He's an excellent passer and someone who has an excellent basketball IQ, since he's a coach's son. 

Those four freshmen should contribute immediately and help the Blue Devils to overcome the losses of Smith, Singler and possibly Irving next season. 

What Does It All Mean?

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Seth Curry #30 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half while taking on the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlot

While Duke is sure to lose quite a bit of scoring, and could lose all three of this year's top scorers if Irving declares for the NBA Draft, there's still plenty to love at Cameron Indoor next season. 

The Blue Devils will be one of the youngest teams around. They will have just one senior in Miles Plumlee, along with a hoard of juniors, sophomores and freshmen. That means we can probably expect some growing pains as the Baby Blue Devils learn the ropes under Coach K, but the talent level is as high, if not higher, than it's been recently. 

Assuming Austin Rivers and the third Plumlee can live up to the hype, and if Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins can find consistency and maturity in the offseason, there's a chance Duke could wind up deeper and more talented than they were this season, even if they'll be extremely young. 

Plus, given the success Mike Krzyzewski has had in developing young talent in the past, there's a good chance Duke won't slip much at all next season.