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Report Card: How the Duke men's basketball season has gone so far

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Photos courtesy of Wany Jiang, Alex Long and Nicole Nie.

The No. 2 Duke men's basketball team may be the best in the country. 

Over two months into the season, the Blue Devils are 17-2 and sit atop the ACC with an undefeated conference record.

As UNC prepares for its game against Duke in February, here are letter grades for each aspect of the team over halfway into the season:

Offense: A

Duke boasts one of the most efficient offenses, ranking sixth in the country. Ball distribution is a big part of the Blue Devils' offense, averaging over 17 assists per game, which is the 14th most in college basketball. But Duke's offensive talent is what separates them from the rest. 

First-year forward Cooper Flagg leads the way, averaging over 19 points and four assists per game. Another first-year, forward Kon Knueppel, is averaging 12.8 points per game, providing the Blue Devils with another go-to scoring option. 

Defense: A+

While the team's offense has been effective thus far, Duke's defensive prowess has been the main story. The Blue Devils allow 59.3 points per game, which is third best in the nation. Opposing teams shoot just 37 percent from the field, coming in at fifth best in the country.

The addition of All-ACC defender forward Maliq Brown has bolstered Duke's defensive tenacity, with Brown averaging two combined blocks and steals per game. However, while Brown is out with a knee injury, the Blue Devils must rely on 7-foot-2 center Khaman Maluach to improve the team's rim protection.

Frontcourt: A+

Two words: Cooper Flagg. 

First-year, and potential future first-overall pick, Flagg has led the way for the Blue Devils. Flagg leads the team in points, rebounds and assists per game, while also being an elite defender. The forward is the odds-on favorite to win National Player of the Year, giving the Blue Devils one of the best frontcourt players in the country. 

The Blue Devils run through Flagg, but their other two first-years bolster Duke's formidable frontcourt. Knueppel is an elite perimeter shooter and shot creator, shooting over 37 percent from three, which serves as an excellent complement to Flagg. Maluach is a force down-low for the Blue Devils, averaging nearly 9 points per game and shooting almost 79 percent from the field. 

Backcourt: B+

Guard Tyrese Proctor leads the way for the Blue Devils' backcourt, averaging almost 11 points per game and shooting just under 40 percent from beyond the arc. Tulane transfer, Sion James, has been a pleasant surprise, averaging over three assists per game and shooting over 37 percent from the three.  

While the offense runs through Duke's frontcourt, Proctor and James help maintain Duke's scoring attack. The Blue Devils have talent off the bench with sophomore Caleb Foster and first-year Isaiah Evans, but the players must become more consistent to increase the backcourt's production.

Starters: A

While the Blue Devils have three first-years in the starting lineup with Flagg, Knueppel and Maluach, don't take their inexperience for weakness. The trio is one of the best starting frontcourt combinations in the nation, averaging over a combined 40 points per game — more than half of Duke's average scoring output. 

Proctor and James make up the starting backcourt, giving the lineup playmaking and perimeter shooting. The duo help elevate the rotation to one of the best in the country. 

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Bench: B+ 

Brown's injury is a huge blow to the team's depth, as he was averaging just under 18 minutes per game. But forward Mason Gillis, who averages over 14 minutes, will see an increased role in Brown's absence. 

The bench backcourt duo of Foster and Evans will need to step up for the Blue Devils. Both guards are talented scorers that lack consistency, but if either can find their rhythm, Duke's bench unit might become even scarier. 

Overall: A

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com