Before Duke ever played a game this season, it was in the running.
The running to top the ACC. The running to blast through anyone who dared to challenge the team ranked No. 1 in the preseason. The running to contend for another national championship with the help of the best freshman class in the nation.
Things changed quickly, though, for the injury-plagued Blue Devils, who have yet to win a conference game on the road.
Duke (14-4, 2-3 ACC) has put together seven different starting lineups. The Blue Devils only twice featured their desired lineup of junior guard Grayson Allen, sophomore guard Luke Kennard, freshman wing Jayson Tatum, fifth-year forward Amile Jefferson and freshman forward Harry Giles. Duke had to make another alteration after the 6-9, 224-pound Jefferson bruised a bone in his right foot against Boston College, forcing a smaller look by reinserting senior guard Matt Jones, who's 6-5, 204 pounds, into the lineup.
Currently ranked No. 18 (its lowest of the season) after dropping back-to-back ACC contests to Florida State and Louisville the Blue Devils have a lot left to do with 13 regular-season games remaining.
So, what has happened to Duke?
