Duke's journey back to the Final Four is anything but a walk in the park. If the Blue Devils aim to end their 11-year national championship drought, they're going to have to fight tooth and nail. Head coach Jon Scheyer seems to relish this kind of challenge, and his squad is ready to face whatever comes their way.
Navigating the East region won't be easy. With formidable opponents like Kansas, St.
John's, Michigan State, and UConn, each capable of derailing Duke's NCAA Tournament dreams, the Blue Devils are in for some nail-biting matchups. Execution in crunch time will be key if they hope to advance.
Make no mistake, though-Duke is still the team to beat. Even without Caleb Foster, they've been the standout team in college basketball this season, showcasing one of the best regular-season performances since the KenPom era began in 1997.
But being the favorite doesn't guarantee a championship, as the 1999 Duke team learned when they fell to UConn in the National Title Game. Scheyer and his squad are determined to avoid a similar heartbreak and capitalize on their top billing.
According to ESPN's analytics, Duke stands as the clear favorite, boasting a 23% chance of clinching the national championship. That's a significant lead over Michigan, who sits at 16%, and Arizona at 14%.
While 23% might seem optimistic given the daunting East Region, it underscores just how dominant Duke has been this season. Led by the soon-to-be National Player of the Year, Cameron Boozer, Duke enters the NCAA Tournament with an impressive 32-2 record, having secured both the ACC regular season and tournament titles. Their only two losses were by a razor-thin margin of four points combined.
Duke's role as the favorite is well-earned. While they'll face elite teams and coaches on their path to the Final Four, those challengers will be up against a powerhouse-hoping for a David vs. Goliath miracle.