Again within the 2018-19 season, Duke performed 4 groups throughout nonconference play that had been ranked within the prime 15 on the time, and the Blue Devils received three of these video games. They spent that whole season ranked within the prime 5 of the AP High 25 with freshmen phenoms Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish on a roster that was amply able to dealing with a slate that additionally included the likes of Indiana and St. John’s.

This time round, the dynamics are a bit totally different because the Blue Devils look to bounce again again from lacking the NCAA Match for the primary time since 1996 whereas additionally sending off legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski on a excessive observe in his ultimate season on the bench.

Whereas the Blue Devils do have a trio of marquee video games on their nonconference slate, which was launched Wednesday, it is a comparatively mild schedule by the requirements of a storied program. That ought to give the Blue Devils an opportunity to stockpile victories after a tough 2020-21 marketing campaign as Krzyzewski prepares at hand over the whistle to affiliate head coach Jon Scheyer following the season.

Here is a take a look at Duke’s full 2021 nonconference schedule with the ACC slate to be introduced at a later date:

Nov. 9: Kentucky (State Farm Champions Traditional in New York)
Nov. 12: Military
Nov. 13: Campbell
Nov. 16: Gardner-Webb
Nov. 19: Lafayette
Nov. 22: The Citadel
Nov. 26: Gonzaga (Continental Tire Problem in Las Vegas, Nevada)
Nov. 30: at Ohio State
Dec. 14: Appalachian State
Dec. 18: Cleveland State 

Let’s dissect the schedule extra carefully by rating the Blue Devils’ 5 most difficult nonconference video games.

5. Military

Nov. 12 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina

2020-21 file: 12-10

Coach: Jimmy Allen

Military’s presence as one of many 5 most tough video games on Duke’s nonconference schedule is much less concerning the Black Knights and extra concerning the circumstances surrounding the sport. With the Blue Devils coming off a big-time showdown in opposition to Kentucky at Madison Sq. Backyard simply three days earlier than, the letdown issue may very well be in play. There can even be loads of peripheral hype surrounding this recreation since Krzyzewski is an Military graduate who coached the Black Knights from 1975-80.

4. Cleveland State

Dec. 18 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina

2020-21 file: 19-8

Coach: Dennis Gates

Gates did an impressive job main Cleveland State to simply its second NCAA Match look since 1986 final season in his second yr as coach. The Vikings performed Ohio State shut on the street in December earlier than profitable the Horizon League. It is a program on the rise that can have a possibility to showcase itself on the nationwide stage in opposition to a Duke staff that higher not be looking forward to Christmas break.

3. Kentucky

Nov. 9 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York (State Farm Champions Traditional)

2020-21 file: 9-16

Coach: John Calipari

Krzyzewski is 6-2 all-time in opposition to Kentucky, which is a good mark contemplating the 2 applications have sometimes been among the many nation’s elite since he began the job within the 1980-81 season. Now he’ll get one final crack on the Wildcats on an enormous stage within the season-opener for 2 applications looking for a reversal of fortunes following dismal 2020-21 campaigns. Each groups missed the NCAA Match in the identical yr for the primary time since 1976 final season. Whoever wins this marquee season opener shall be on the quick observe again to the Huge Dance.

2. Ohio State

Nov. 30 at Worth Metropolis Area in Columbus, Ohio (Huge Ten/ACC Problem)

2020-21 file: 21-10

Coach: Chris Holtmann

Duke leads the all-time sequence 4-3, which features a 2-1 mark below Krzyzewski. However they’ve solely performed at Ohio State as soon as throughout his tenure, and that was an 86-63 Ohio State win throughout the 2011-12 season. With the Buckeyes returning star ahead E.J. Liddell from a staff that landed a No. 2 seed within the 2021 NCAA Match, this shall be a stiff street take a look at for the Blue Devils.

1. Gonzaga

Nov. 26 at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas (Continental Tire Problem)

2020-21 file: 31-1

Coach: Mark Few

It is a dream matchup for each school basketball followers and NBA scouts as it is going to function Chet Holmgren, the No. 1 prospect within the 2021 class, for Gonzaga in opposition to Duke freshman Paolo Banchero, who was thought-about the No. 2 participant within the class. Each are projected lottery picks within the 2022 NBA Draft and each are anticipated to assist their school applications be among the many nation’s finest within the 2021-22 season. This must be among the best video games of the common season in school basketball.