Duke Blue Devils Power Index: 33.0*

Duke can win it all in 2003 because it has as much pure talent as any team in the nation. Mike Krzyzewski has done a masterful job of recruiting, and replaces All-Americans with genuine All-America candidates. The key will be the development and consistency of the highly rated freshmen, and the leadership of Chris Duhon. Duhon is one of the best passing and defensive point guards in the country, and has the ability to lead the nation in assists and steals. While some national observers anointed Duhon prematurely as the nation's best point guard last year, the kid still has great ability, and he will be an outstanding college player and a fine pro. Daniel Ewing has the ability to lead the team in scoring, Dahntay Jones is one of the best wings in the country when he keeps it simple and plays hard, and Shavlik Randolph is the most skilled freshman big man in the nation. Factor in J.J. Redick's shooting ability, Shelden Williams' ability to be Dale Davis with offensive skills, and Krzyzewski's ability to bring a team along throughout a season building to March, and you have a team with a chance to cut some nets down. A painfully young ACC will allow Duke some time to grow, perhaps into champions.

-- Jay Bilas

Toughness: 6.9
The Blue Devils aren't soft, they're just young up front. Give them time. Jones doesn't back down from a challenge, although he usually stops short of getting into a fight. Ewing will take the ball to the hole at will and Duhon is one of the better system point guards around. All three are tough competitors. But the toughness of Williams, Michael Thompson and Randolph is still an unknown. The other two freshmen who play a lot of minutes are on the perimeter -- J.J. Redick and Sean Dockery -- and their toughness isn't an issue. The frontcourt players had to play tougher on the trip to London, and judging by how they did against men they should be able to handle the ACC.

Talent: 6.4
Talent? On this team? Are you serious? There is plenty of talent. Duhon is as good a playmaking, system point guard in the country. He's not going to dazzle teams and isn't a big-time scorer. Ewing can attack the backboard as well as any other point guard. Jones is a 3-point threat and a scoring option wherever he is on the court. His defense raises his overall play, too. Duke's freshmen are good enough to contribute immediately. Randolph might be one of the best scoring forwards in the country, Redick as good a shooter as any newcomer and Williams and Thompson are solid developing post players. Nick Horvath could be a sleeper off the bench if he's healthy.

Tourney Tested: 5.5
Duke is tourney tested regardless of the year, even though last season's Blue Devils didn't get as far as they wanted after getting beaten by Indiana in the Sweet 16. Duhon, Sanders and Horvath have won a national title; Jones was a redshirt on that team. All of the freshmen come from winning programs. And Coach K is one of the best, if not the best coach in the NCAA Tournament. So tight game situations won't be a factor for the vets. Sure, some of the freshmen will get rattled on the road in the ACC. But give this team time and March shouldn't be a problem.

Schedule: 6.7
Duke didn't go as heavy in non-conference play, but still has UCLA, Ohio State, Georgetown, St. John's on the schedule, along with "name" teams in Michigan, Dayton and Butler. The game against the Bruins is a neutral site game in Indianapolis. Duke doesn't play a true road game until Clemson Jan. 5. Duke doesn't have to sweat not getting enough power rating points by playing in the ACC. But the two Big East teams, UCLA and Ohio State should give the Blue Devils enough to help their seeding come March. Krzyzewski did the right thing with a young team by not going on the road too early.

Xs & Os: 7.5
Coach K is constantly tinkering with the best way to maximize this team. He's got enough talent to make a Final Four run and chemistry shouldn't be a problem. Coach K is a tremendous motivator and simply needs to find the right rotation, especially inside. If players don't want to buy into their roles then they won't play. He doesn't have to play everyone with the depth that he has on this squad. If this team stays together it could make back-to-back Final Four runs the next two seasons.

-- Andy Katz

ESPN.com's Power Index is based on a 10-point scale in each of these five categories: Toughness, Talent, Schedule Strength, Tournament Tested, Xs & Os. Teams are scored based on returning players, coaching staffs, a program's past performances in the regular season and postseason, as well as expectations heading into the 2002-03 season.