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5 Key Storylines To Watch In The ACC Tournament

By Josh Cornelissen

Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Frank Jackson (15) drives to the basket against Florida State Seminoles guard Trent Forrest (3) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Frank Jackson (15) drives to the basket against Florida State Seminoles guard Trent Forrest (3) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

What Is Duke Going To Do?

All of the accolades for coach Mike Krzyzewski start leaking out in March every season, from his 1,062 career wins to his five national championships. Since 2000, Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils have won 11 of a possible 18 ACC tournament titles.

Duke entered the season as the No. 1 team in the country, with a loaded freshman class added into one of the best returning rosters in the nation. Not only were they pegged to win the ACC, but they were preseason favorites to win it all.

Then the season played out and following Duke has been a roller coaster for seemingly every minute.

Injuries to start the season hampered the additions of their loaded freshman frontcourt, while preseason All-American Grayson Allen has been held back by his leg, both an ankle injury and his inability to keep said leg to himself while near opposing players.

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This team has the firepower to make a run, headlined by breakout star Luke Kennard. Freshman Jayson Tatum has been excellent, seniors Matt Jones and Amile Jefferson are consistently dependable, and the prospect of Frank Jackson or Harry Giles suddenly stepping up gives this team untapped potential no other team can claim.

If the Blue Devils are going to make a run, it may start in the ACC tournament. After losing three of their last four games, a conference crown could help it regain a top seed and position itself to roll off the six wins it needs to claim a sixth title. They begin that battle Wednesday afternoon against the Clemson Tigers.