ESPN.com - No. 7: Duke

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Tuesday, November 12, 2002
No. 7: Duke

By By Scott Burton

Last Season: 314, Sweet 16


	Jones needs to be a leader to boost the NBA-depleted Blue Devils.

No one is irreplaceable in Durham -- not even early NBA defector Mike Dunleavy. Sure, his versatility at the 4 was a crucial element of the Blue Devils' four-out offense. But Coach K will turn to frosh Shavlik Randolph (6'10", 215) and Shelden Williams (6'9", 255) in a more conventional two-post system. And that should toughen up Duke's oft-soft middle. "These guys are bigger and stronger," says senior swingman Dahntay Jones (11.2 ppg). "We won't get posted up as easily." Traditional fixings abound elsewhere, too: a pass-first point (Chris Duhon, 5.9 apg), sharpshooters (Daniel Ewing, J.J. Redick, Sean Dockery), a two-way terror at the 3 (Jones) and shotblocking centers (Michael Thompson, Casey Sanders). Irreplaceable? Only the Dukies at the top of the ACC.

One Step Ahead: They're a nightmare to face because the backcourt's always stocked with versatile guys who can pressure the ball, shoot, dish and play hellacious help D. This season, the Devils have unmatched flexibility: Duhon, Ewing and Dockery can all play the 1 or 2; and Reddick -- a pure 2 -- may be the team's best shooter.

One Step Behind: For the second time in four years, Duke was gutted by NBA defections (Dunleavy, Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer). Hmm. Wasn't this supposed to be the one team immune to the slings and arrows of modern hoops? Mike Krzyzewski's freshmen class may be his best ever, but he needs them to grow up fast.

2002-2003 NCAA PREVIEW
MEN
1. Arizona Wildcats	9. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Kansas Jayhawks	10. UCLA Bruins
3. Oklahoma Sooners	11. Alabama Crimson Tide
4. Pittsburgh Panthers	12. Kentucky Wildcats
5. Florida Gators	13. Virginia Cavaliers
6. Texas Longhorns	14. Michigan State Spartans
7. Duke Blue Devils	15. Xavier Musketeers
8. UConn Huskies	16. Indiana Hoosiers

This article will appear in the November 25 issue of ESPN The Magazine.