Duke Blue Devils Tickets

2007 Duke Blue Devils Season Preview Last year was probably one of the most trying seasons in recent memory for the Blue Devils. High expectations were thrown upon a young team not ready for prime time, and the pressure clearly wore on the team throughout the entire season.

The Blue Devils bowed out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to an unheralded VCU team that simply didn't crumble under the pressure of postseason basketball at the end of the game.

With a year of experience now under their belts, this year's Duke team should be better, but expectations of a trip to the Final Four are still a bit lofty.

Duke lost one key player when sophomore Josh McRoberts entered the NBA draft. McRoberts was a solid big man who never really seemed to tap into his full potential and was always though of as being a little "soft."

However, the team will struggle to find a big man to replace McRoberts. Sophomore Brian Zoubek is certainly an option and a player many analysts raved about, but he seemed a step or two too slow last year for ACC play. However, he injured himself prior to the season and it is unlikely he will have improved greatly from last year.

Returning for another season running the point is Greg Paulus, who may or may not have what it takes to get the job done. Paulus shows flashes here and there of brilliance but often caves in under pressure, which you really can't have from your point guard. He also needs to become a better ball-handler and more consistent shooter.

Look for the high scorer this year to be John Scheyer, who had a solid freshman season and showed himself to be a good outside shooter. Duke fans hope Scheyer can eventually fill the shoes of former Duke sharp-shooter J.J. Redick.

Fellow sophomores Gerald Henderson and Lance Thomas should be vastly improved from last season and give the team some added toughness on the inside. DeMarcus Nelson should provide an offensive spark and some leadership, but he also injured himself over the summer.

Even if this year's team doesn't meet the lofty expectations of the Cameron Crazies, there is reason for hope in the future. Duke is bringing in a loaded recruiting class to add to last year's talented group, meaning the Blue Devils could be hanging more banners from the rafters of Cameron Indoor Stadium in the years to come.