Duke's 2019-20 Campaign
An analytical exploration of the Blue Devils' season, from preseason expectations to the abrupt conclusion.
Season Overview 👇 View Schedule 📅Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Season Overview
Performance Metrics
The 2019-20 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team concluded their season with a commendable 25-6 overall record. Within the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), they achieved a 15-5 standing, securing a strong position in the league standings.
Postseason Disruption
The team's postseason aspirations were significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. They were slated to compete in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals against NC State. However, the tournament was ultimately canceled before play could commence. Subsequently, the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was also canceled, ending the season prematurely for all teams.
Conference Affiliation
As members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Blue Devils navigated a rigorous conference schedule. Their home games were hosted at the iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, a venue renowned for its intense atmosphere.
Previous Season Context
Transition from 2018-19
The preceding 2018-19 season saw the Blue Devils achieve a 32-6 overall record, finishing second in the ACC with a 14-4 conference record. They captured the ACC Tournament title, their 21st, and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament's East Region. Their tournament run concluded in the Elite Eight with a loss to Michigan State.
Offseason Transitions & Recruitment
Player Departures
Following the 2018-19 season, several key players moved on from the Duke program. Notably, freshmen RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Zion Williamson declared for the 2019 NBA draft, with Williamson selected first overall. Marques Bolden also declared for the draft and later signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers after going undrafted. Senior walk-on Brennan Bresser graduated.
| Name | Position | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Reason for Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brennan Bresser | G | 6'5" | 190 lbs | Senior | Chicago, Illinois | Walk-on; Graduated |
| Antonio Vrankovic | C | 7'0" | 269 lbs | Senior | Delray Beach, Florida | Graduated |
| RJ Barrett | F | 6'7" | 202 lbs | Freshman | Mississauga, Ontario | Declared for 2019 NBA draft; selected 3rd overall |
| Cam Reddish | F | 6'8" | 218 lbs | Freshman | Norristown, Pennsylvania | Declared for 2019 NBA draft; selected 10th overall |
| Zion Williamson | F | 6'7" | 285 lbs | Freshman | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Declared for 2019 NBA draft; selected 1st overall |
| Marques Bolden | F | 6'11" | 250 lbs | Junior | DeSoto, Texas | Declared for 2019 NBA draft; undrafted |
2019 Recruiting Class
The incoming class of 2019 was highly anticipated, featuring several top-tier prospects who were expected to make immediate impacts. Recruit ratings from major services like Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN underscored their potential.
| Name | Position | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendell Moore Jr. | SF | Charlotte, NC | Cox Mill (NC) | 6'6" | 215 lbs | Oct 8, 2018 |
| Vernon Carey Jr. | C | Southwest Ranches, FL | NSU University School (FL) | 6'10" | 275 lbs | Dec 6, 2018 |
| Matthew Hurt | PF | Rochester, MN | John Marshall (MN) | 6'8" | 214 lbs | Apr 19, 2019 |
| Cassius Stanley | SG | Los Angeles, CA | Sierra Canyon School (CA) | 6'5" | 185 lbs | Apr 22, 2019 |
| Jeremy Roach | PG | Leesburg, VA | Paul VI Catholic (VA) | 6'2" | 180 lbs | May 8, 2019 |
2020 Recruiting Class Outlook
The recruitment efforts for the 2020 class were also underway, with early commitments indicating a continued focus on high-caliber talent. Key prospects committed during this period included Jeremy Roach, Jalen Johnson, DJ Steward, and Henry Coleman III, among others.
| Name | Position | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Roach | PG | Leesburg, VA | Paul VI Catholic (VA) | 6'2" | 180 lbs | May 8, 2019 |
| Jalen Johnson | SF | Milwaukee, WI | Nicolet High School (WI) | 6'8" | 215 lbs | Jul 4, 2019 |
| DJ Steward | SG | Chicago, IL | Whitney Young Magnet (IL) | 6'3" | 160 lbs | Sep 18, 2019 |
| Henry Coleman III | PF | Richmond, VA | Trinity Episcopal School (VA) | 6'8" | 240 lbs | Sep 27, 2019 |
| Jaemyn Brakefield | PF | Jackson, MI | Huntington Prep School (WV) | 6'8" | 215 lbs | Oct 4, 2019 |
Team Roster
Player and Coaching Staff
The roster featured a blend of experienced upperclassmen and promising underclassmen, led by Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Key players included captains Tre Jones, Jack White, and Javin DeLaurier.
| Pos. | # | Name | Height | Weight | Year | Previous School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | 50 | Justin Robinson | 6 ft 9 in (2.06m) | 202 lb (92 kg) | RS Sr | San Antonio Christian Academy | San Antonio, TX |
| F | 12 | Javin DeLaurier (C) | 6 ft 10 in (2.08m) | 237 lb (108 kg) | Sr | Saint Anne's-Belfield | Charlottesville, VA |
| F | 41 | Jack White (C) | 6 ft 7 in (2.01m) | 222 lb (101 kg) | Sr | Australian Institute of Sport | Canberra, Australia |
| G | 15 | Alex O'Connell | 6 ft 6 in (1.98m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jr | Milton High School (Georgia) | Roswell, GA |
| G | 14 | Jordan Goldwire | 6 ft 2 in (1.88m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jr | Norcross High School | Norcross, GA |
| G | 51 | Mike Buckmire | 6 ft 2 in (1.88m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Jr | Germantown Friends School | Blue Bell, PA |
| G | 3 | Tre Jones (C) | 6 ft 3 in (1.91m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | So | Apple Valley High School (Minnesota) | Apple Valley, MN |
| F | 13 | Joey Baker | 6 ft 7 in (2.01m) | 208 lb (94 kg) | So | Trinity Christian School | Fayetteville, NC |
| F | 0 | Wendell Moore Jr. | 6 ft 6 in (1.98m) | 213 lb (97 kg) | Fr | Cox Mill High School | Charlotte, NC |
| C | 1 | Vernon Carey Jr. | 6 ft 10 in (2.08m) | 270 lb (122 kg) | Fr | NSU University School | Southwest Ranches, FL |
| F | 21 | Matthew Hurt | 6 ft 9 in (2.06m) | 214 lb (97 kg) | Fr | John Marshall High School (Minnesota) | Rochester, MN |
| G | 2 | Cassius Stanley | 6 ft 6 in (1.98m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Fr | Sierra Canyon School | Los Angeles, CA |
| G | 30 | Michael Savarino (W) | 6 ft 0 in (1.83m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | Fr | Durham Academy | Durham, NC |
| F | 45 | Keenan Worthington (W) | 6 ft 9 in (2.06m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | Fr | Blair Academy (N.J.) | Chapel Hill, NC |
Coaching Staff
The coaching staff provided experienced guidance throughout the season.
- Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (Army)
- Assistant Coaches: Nate James (Duke), Jon Scheyer (Duke), Chris Carrawell (Duke)
Legend: (C) Captain, (W) Walk-on
Depth Chart Analysis
Positional Breakdown
The team's depth chart showcased a structured rotation, with starting roles clearly defined and key reserves ready to contribute. This provided flexibility and strategic options for Coach Krzyzewski.
| Pos. | Starting 5 | Bench 1 | Bench 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Vernon Carey Jr. | ||
| PF | Javin DeLaurier | Matthew Hurt | Justin Robinson |
| SF | Wendell Moore Jr. | Alex O'Connell | Jack White / Joey Baker |
| SG | Cassius Stanley | ||
| PG | Tre Jones | Jordan Goldwire | Mike Buckmire |
Game Schedule & Results
Season Progression
The team's schedule included significant non-conference matchups and a full ACC slate. Key victories against ranked opponents like Kansas and Michigan State highlighted their potential, while notable losses occurred against Stephen F. Austin and in close contests against ACC rivals.
| Date | Rank# | Opponent | Result | Record | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2019 | No. 4 | vs. No. 3 Kansas (Champions Classic) | W 68–66 | 1–0 | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Nov 8, 2019 | No. 4 | Colorado State | W 89–55 | 2–0 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Nov 12, 2019 | No. 2 | Central Arkansas | W 105–54 | 3–0 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Nov 15, 2019 | No. 2 | Georgia State | W 74–63 | 4–0 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Nov 21, 2019 | No. 1 | vs. California (Empire Classic) | W 87–52 | 5–0 | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Nov 22, 2019 | No. 1 | vs. Georgetown (Empire Classic) | W 81–73 | 6–0 | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Nov 26, 2019 | No. 1 | Stephen F. Austin | L 83–85 OT | 6–1 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Nov 29, 2019 | No. 1 | Winthrop | W 83–70 | 7–1 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Dec 3, 2019 | No. 10 | at No. 11 Michigan State (ACC–Big Ten Challenge) | W 87–75 | 8–1 | Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI |
| Dec 6, 2019 | No. 10 | at Virginia Tech | W 77–63 | 9–1 (1–0 ACC) | Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA |
| Dec 19, 2019 | No. 4 | Wofford | W 86–57 | 10–1 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Dec 28, 2019 | No. 4 | Brown | W 75–50 | 11–1 | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Dec 31, 2019 | No. 2 | Boston College | W 88–49 | 12–1 (2–0 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Jan 4, 2020 | No. 2 | at Miami (FL) | W 95–62 | 13–1 (3–0 ACC) | Watsco Center, Coral Gables, FL |
| Jan 8, 2020 | No. 2 | at Georgia Tech | W 73–64 | 14–1 (4–0 ACC) | McCamish Pavilion, Atlanta, GA |
| Jan 11, 2020 | No. 2 | Wake Forest | W 90–59 | 15–1 (5–0 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Jan 14, 2020 | No. 3 | at Clemson | L 72–79 | 15–2 (5–1 ACC) | Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC |
| Jan 18, 2020 | No. 3 | No. 11 Louisville | L 73–79 | 15–3 (5–2 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Jan 21, 2020 | No. 8 | Miami (FL) | W 89–59 | 16–3 (6–2 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Jan 28, 2020 | No. 9 | Pittsburgh | W 79–67 | 17–3 (7–2 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Feb 1, 2020 | No. 9 | at Syracuse | W 97–88 | 18–3 (8–2 ACC) | Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY |
| Feb 4, 2020 | No. 7 | at Boston College | W 63–55 | 19–3 (9–2 ACC) | Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, MA |
| Feb 8, 2020 | No. 7 | at North Carolina | W 98–96 OT | 20–3 (10–2 ACC) | Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC |
| Feb 10, 2020 | No. 7 | No. 8 Florida State | W 70–65 | 21–3 (11–2 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Feb 15, 2020 | No. 7 | Notre Dame | W 94–60 | 22–3 (12–2 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Feb 19, 2020 | No. 6 | at NC State | L 66–88 | 22–4 (12–3 ACC) | PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC |
| Feb 22, 2020 | No. 6 | Virginia Tech | W 88–64 | 23–4 (13–3 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Feb 25, 2020 | No. 7 | at Wake Forest | L 101–113 2OT | 23–5 (13–4 ACC) | LJVM Coliseum, Winston-Salem, NC |
| Feb 29, 2020 | No. 7 | at Virginia | L 50–52 | 23–6 (13–5 ACC) | John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA |
| Mar 2, 2020 | No. 12 | NC State | W 88–69 | 24–6 (14–5 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Mar 7, 2020 | No. 12 | North Carolina | W 89–76 | 25–6 (15–5 ACC) | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
#Rankings from AP Poll. ^Indicates overtime.
National Rankings
Poll Movements
The Blue Devils consistently ranked among the nation's top teams throughout the season, reflecting their preseason expectations and performance. Their ranking fluctuated based on game outcomes, with periods of being ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches Polls.
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| Coaches | 4 | 4^ | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 8 |
*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings. ^Coaches did not release a week 2 poll.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "2019 U201320 Duke Blue Devils Men S Basketball Team" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional sports analysis or advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional sports commentary, statistical analysis, or strategic evaluation. Always refer to official NCAA and team sources for the most current and authoritative information.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.