#2 Duke

Christian Laettner

Starters:
C: Christian Laettner
F: Elton Brand
F: Grant Hill
G: JJ Redick
G: Jay Williams		 Bench:
C: Mike Gminski
F: Danny Ferry
F: Shane Battier
G: Johnny Dawkins
G: Bobby Hurley

#2 Duke

by Peter Bard

National Championships: 4

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

Nickname: Blue Devils

Duke players have a reputation for excelling in college and then disappointing against more difficult competition (and also one for being white and annoying). While there is some truth to this, many Duke players turned out fine careers at the next level. Hill is the clear star here, a highly-skilled, physical wing with a brilliant mid-range game. Brand also turned out to be an excellent pro, and was an explosive player at the college level, despite his wide frame. Williams and Hurley both saw their careers derailed by off-court injuries, but JJ Redick has turned himself into a very solid pro. Christian Laettner, despite being a huge tool and looking ridiculously out-of-place on the Dream Team, was actually a quality NBA player. Seven players on this team won a National Player of the Year award of some kind, so it’s clear this team will be a tough out, especially since neither Mercer nor Lehigh made this tournament.