There is little need for detailed statistical analysis to determine Duke must be considered the favorites to repeat as national champion.

They are outscoring opponents by an average of 24.6 points per game and only three games (Marquette, Michigan State and Maryland) have been decided by single-digits.

Even though the Blue Devils won the 2010 National Championship, they benefited from drafting behind more well-publicized and talked about teams like Kentucky and Kansas. Neither of those teams reached the Final Four, with the Jayhawks losing in the round of 32 to Northern Iowa.

Despite losing Kyrie Irving for the entire season, Duke appears to be more than just marginally improved from 09-10.

The biggest difference has been on defense, where they have been uniformly dominant.

they have turned their inability to defend against isolations into one of their team strengths. Their ability to defend against post scorers has taken a hit due to the graduation of big man Brian Zoubek, but that is the only area on the defensive end of the floor that opposing coaches can even look at as a potential area of vulnerability.

As has been the case for Duke teams throughout the years, they remain intensely committed to defending jump shooters and forcing bad shots.

Good teams will have nights when scoring is difficult, especially for a team like Duke that can't truly impose their will in the interior. But the consistency of their defensive intensity, no matter what you think of the floor slap, is what will continue to separate Duke from every other team in the country.