Maryland Basketball: 5 Biggest Threats to Terps’ Title Hopes

3. Duke Blue Devils

Mar 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) reacts with teammates from the bench against the Utah Utes during the second half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Krzyzewski lost an insane amount of the team’s production from a season ago. Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook all moved on to the NBA. But, when’s the last time the Duke Blue Devils had a down year?

Grayson Allen emerged as a player with a promising future late last season, particularly in the national title game. Allen will be a featured guy this season and may be on his way to stardom in his sophomore campaign if he can pick up where he left off.

The Blue Devils will have a solid frontcourt, which features Amile Jefferson, Marshall Plumlee and Rice transfer Sean Obi.

Coach K also reeled in the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, featuring an insane trio of point guard Derryck Thornton, small forward Brandon Ingram and center Chase Jeter. In these three, Duke found the fillers for the voids left from the departure of their stars.

The star power is not as prevalent on this year’s roster, but don’t make the mistake of sleeping on them. The Blue Devils are sure to be in the thick of things at the end of the season.