As a longtime Duke fan, I'm appalled.

Wait, whoa. I see some consternation out there among the readership. You doubt my Duke allegiance? You say I'm the guy who dissed Duke twice last year? Poked fun at the Devils? Declared that there was no way they'd win the national title?

Um, no. You've clearly got me confused with someone else. (I think it was Curry Kirkpatrick.) I'm down with Duke.

So forget the critics. From over here on the dark side of the moon, I say Duke wins it all this year.

Junior guard Chris Duhon will upgrade from supporting actor to leading man -- and handle it seamlessly. The rest of hoopsworld was breathless over this kid in high school, remember, but he sublimated his game for the good of the team. Now it's showtime.

Sophomore Daniel Ewing will also make a giant step forward -- and make a lot of 3-pointers off Duhon's penetration.

Swingman Dahntay Jones, the best athlete in the college game, may one day take off and not come down. If he keeps his head on straight while up there in the stratosphere, he can be a force.

Senior big men Casey Sanders and Nick Horvath are ready to offer something. At last. Even if it's just in that oh-so-Dookie department of Senior Leadership.

And have you seen the freshman class? It's an embarrassment of riches, a complete unit of blue-chippers: guards J.J. Redick and Sean Dockery, big men Shavlik Randolph, Shelden Williams and Michael Thompson -- these guys could go open their own college and make the NIT as a unit.

So there you have it: ball handlers, shooters, size, athleticism, interchangeable parts, mix-and-match lineup possibilities, a Hall of Fame coach, freshened desire off last year's loss, lessened external pressure and (ahem) media scrutiny ... What else could you want, other than front-row seats at Cameron?

But in a shameless CYA maneuver, why should I limit myself to one team toiling over here in the shadow of the Arizona-Kansas Axis? If they're so doggone good, why not embrace 10 more who can ruin their March?

Why not Pittsburgh, a hard-boiled bunch that only won 29 games last year and returns everyone of consequence?

Why not Texas, led by the finest pure point guard in America -- you read that right, Jason Gardner and Kirk Hinrich -- T.J. Ford?

Why not Xavier, which might have the best inside-outside combo in the country in David West and Romain Sato?

Why not Missouri, featuring the best athlete west of Dahntay Jones in Rickey Paulding (and he shoots better than Jones)?

Why not tough-minded Oklahoma, with a nucleus that knows what it takes to make the Final Four?

Why not Michigan State, where Tom Izzo has lots of talent, plus one of those shiny things on his finger that Roy Williams doesn't?

Why not the Southeastern Conference tandem of Alabama, Mississippi State and Florida, all of whom have the requisite inside-outside star power to make a run at the ring?

And, if you want to bring in a long shot from Pluto, why not Louisville? Rick Pitino, veteran of four Final Fours, has enough bodies to play his ferocious style this year, led by a stone-cold All-American in Reece Gaines.

But please, turn the spotlight first to Duke. The Devils are dyin' over here for lack of attention.

Sure, they're obscenely young. And sure, the chic refrain in college basketball is all about the significance of seniors: Mateen Cleaves and Mo Pete; Shane Battier; Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter; etc.

That's nice. But the college game is only getting younger, slowly sending seniors the way of the Diplodicus. Talent of any age -- mixed with premier coaching -- can prevail.

Thus, let me introduce you to Duke. Time to give the nice, overlooked little squad some love.

Pat Forde of the Louisville Courier-Journal is a regular contributor to ESPN.com