news-record.com

Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was asked after his team's game Wednesday night whether he thought his or any college team had the potential to go unbeaten. Having just knocked off No. 6 Michigan State to go to 7-0, the Duke coach was asked about it earlier than he'd ever been in his 31 seasons at Duke.

"No way," he said.

Krzyzewski was an assistant on the Indiana team in 1974-75 that lost one game a season before the Hoosiers went unbeaten, the last college team to do so.

He said it would take an "old" team to go unbeaten in today's game, ironically not unlike the one Duke beat Wednesday night.

There are teams out there that can beat Duke this season. Some are on the Blue Devils' schedule, but most aren't.

News & Record columnist Ed Hardin looks at five potential roadblocks between Duke and the perfect season:

1. MICHIGAN STATE

The Spartans (5-2) went at Duke with a lineup of juniors and seniors. Michigan State lost by five on Duke's court after committing 20 turnovers. Play it again on a neutral court, say Houston in April, and the outcome could be different.

2. CONNECTICUT

The Huskies (7-0) won the Maui Invitational (beating Michigan State in the final). They might have the best player in the nation, junior guard Kemba Walker. He's certainly the hottest.

3. OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes (6-0) are balanced. Four players have led the team in scoring, and Jared Sullinger is a beast inside. Ohio State starts three seniors.

4. KANSAS

The Jayhawks (7-0) could roll through the Big 12 this season and go into March as hot or hotter than Duke, unbeaten or not.

5. AN ACC TEAM

The league is down again, rebuilding with freshmen and new coaches. Games in Blacksburg and College Park loom late. If the Devils remain unbeaten deep into the schedule, every game will become the biggest of the season. The last game of the regular season is in Chapel Hill.