Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Duke Blue Devils:
Scholarship chart
Seniors (2): PF Amile Jefferson, C Marshall Plumlee
Juniors (1): SG Matt Jones
Sophomores (2): SG Grayson Allen, C Sean Obi
Freshmen (6): SF Brandon Ingram, C Chase Jeter, PG Derryck Thornton, SG Luke Kennard, C Antonio Vrankovic, PF Justin Robinson
Available scholarships for 2016: Four (as many as five)
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: None
Possible early entry losses after next season: Grayson Allen, Brandon Ingram, Derryck Thornton
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Big men, versatile forward
Must-haves: PF Harry Giles (No. 1 in ESPN 100, CP3) and SF Jayson Tatum (No. 2, St. Louis Eagles)
Targets: SF Jayson Tatum (No. 2, St. Louis Eagles), PF Harry Giles (No. 1, CP3), PG Dennis Smith Jr., (No. 4, Team Loaded), C Udoka Azubuike (No. 19, Georgia Stars), Josh Langford (No. 13, SG, Atlanta Celtics), Marques Bolden (No. 15, C, Pro Skills), G Frank Jackson (No. 20, Utah Prospects), C Jarrett Allen (No. 17, Texas PRO)
Summer scenario
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils recruit a bit differently than most. They focus on one player per position and lock on them. The priorities right now are Giles, Tatum, Smith and Bolden -- with Azubuike and Allen as backup big men, Langford as a wing on the radar in case the Blue Devils don't land Tatum, and Jackson as a wild card because he could elect to go on a two-year Mormon mission. The question is whom Coach K will lose after this season: Allen, Ingram and even Thornton are candidates. The need will be up front because Duke loses two veteran big men in Jefferson and Plumlee, and Obi isn't considered more than a reserve.