As we’ve mentioned before, the once-dominant Duke basketball program has taken a slight hit over the years. Instead of being the preeminent college program, Duke is now just good. Normally, this is nothing to write home about, but when it’s Duke, it’s significant.
So Duke Has Declined: Here’s How
↵What’s been less clear, however, are the reasons for Duke’s decline. It would be too obvious and incomplete to say they just aren’t getting top players anymore. (It would also be wrong, because these guys are mostly McDonalds All-Americans). So what’s happening?
↵One theory, according to SB Nation’s North Carolina blog Carolina March, is bench play, specifically the lack thereof. Carolina March crunches some numbers and finds that Mike Krzyzewski has used his bench players less than ever this decade. There are all sorts of cool graphs and stats in there, so do check it out.
↵Then again, this is from a Carolina fan, and a slow decline is surely better than the rapid decline the Tar Heels have seen this year.
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