Duke Basketball: Which '11-12 Blue Devil Starting Line-Up Is the Best?

Coach K is using the November and December games of his 2011-12 schedule to accomplish several objectives.

He is giving his team a chance to play against opponents and in places that they wouldn't have the chance otherwise.

He is seeing how they respond to both adversity and opportunity.

And he is looking at which combination of players gives Duke the best chance to be successful as they move towards their ACC slate of games.

He has used three different starting line-ups so far this season.

Here's a quick look to compare those line-ups and see which of them might be the best:

Rivers, Curry, Thornton, MP2 and Kelly

Last night against Colorado State, Coach K started Tyler Thornton for the first time this year. The Blue Devils moved the ball efficiently (21 assists/9 turnovers) and shot well (56.4 percent).

While Duke still out-rebounded CSU by 2 (34 to 32), this starting line-up lacked a little on the glass.

Thornton is a solid player that brings a pure point-guard productivity - pass first. But, otherwise, the sophomore from D.C. is not much of a scoring threat, which impacts how defenses will play against Duke with him in the line-up

Rivers, Curry, Dawkins, MP1, MP2

Coach K went "Double Plumlee" on Duke's first three opponents, starting both Miles and Mason Plumlee in the post.

This line-up gave the Blue Devils more physicality in the paint and more toughness on the glass.

But, Miles is really a Brian Zoubek-like player, good for about 20 minutes off the bench, six points, eight boards and a block or two along with some solid interior defense.

Teams need guys like MP1. They just may not need them in their starting five.

Rivers, Curry, Dawkins, MP2, and Kelly

While this is the line-up that was on the floor to begin the Blue Devils' sole loss of the young '11-12 season (against Ohio State), it is still Duke's best starting five.

It may be the most volatile/unpredictable starters that Coach K has put on the floor in terms of play-making and ball-handling, but it is also the most offensively dynamic combination.

All five players can create their own shots and effectively score against just about any team.

Rivers has scored about 3 points higher than his season average when this group started.

As I have suggested before, I think allowing Rivers to come off of a MP2 high-post pick-and-roll could be a very effective way to initiate the offense. This would allow Rivers to create off the dribble and for Curry, Dawkins and Kelly to spread the floor and spot up.

Defensively, this line-up is okay as long as Kelly doesn't have to shut down a punishing opponent in the paint. 

Coach K should allow this unit to jell and learn to play cohesively. This group gives the Blue Devils the best chance to win in the regular season and come tourney time.