Greensboro — An agonizing night last March got a little tougher to watch when Chris Carrawell left the court for the final time.

Duke’s lone senior met head coach Mike Krzyzewski a few steps away from the bench and burst into tears during the emotional embrace.

Carrawell’s national championship dreams ended in that 87-78 Sweet 16 loss to Florida. Now, Duke’s storied senior of the 2000-2001 season, Shane Battier, looks for a happier ending.

“I have a feeling that my last game as a BlueDevil is going to end up in tears,”Battier said. “Hopefully, it’s tears of joy after winning the national championship, but I know if we lose in the tournament I’m going to be crying just as bad as C-Well did. There’s no shame in that. It summed up all his emotion and all he put into Duke University for four years.”

As good as Duke was during Carrawell’s four years, the Blue Devils never won a national title. But they might never have been as good as they are now.

“We think we’re going to be really good,”Krzyzewski said before adding with a laugh, “If we weren’t, I would tell you. But we’ve got a really good team.”

The Blue Devils enter the season ranked second in the nation behind Arizona. They’re the top pick in the Atlantic Coast Conference once again and seem poised to make it three straight regular season and tournament championships in the league.

The reason is simple: Despite Carrawell’s graduation, national player of the year candidate Battier returns with fellow senior Nate James and a trio of sophomores who played in at least 30 of Duke’s 34 games a year ago.

Point guard Jason Williams started every game of his freshman season and brings back 14.5 points and 6.5 assists per game.

Forward Carlos Boozer started 30 games as a freshman and at times dominated the opposition. The 6-foot-9, 270-pound center averaged 13 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.

Then there’s the sweet-shooting Mike Dunleavy, who would’ve played every game in his rookie season but for a bout with mono late in the year. The 6-8, 204-pound guard/forward scored nine points a game and was Duke’s sixth — and usually last — option.

Even with a six-player rotation that included three talented, but very raw freshmen, the Blue Devils finished 29-5 overall and 15-1 in the ACC.

“Last year, although they played huge roles for us and they were great, they still looked around and had that freshman look,”Battier said. “You don’t see that look any more.”

That simple fact means Battier and James can spend more time playing basketball than teaching it.

“My main goal this year is to shut up,”a laughing Battier said. “Last year we had so many young guys that I found myself constantly trying to hammer home what it’s all about. Now they understand what it means to go through a season of college basketball, so my job isn’t as important.”

Battier’s job as a leader may not be as important, but with Carrawell gone, Duke will look to the 6-8, 220-pound forward to score, rebound and defend, just like always. Battier led the team last season with a 17.4 ppg scoring average, shooting 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from the 3-point arc.

Defensively, his propensity for taking charges took on legendary status, and he led the Devils with 70 blocked shots and was second with 68 steals.

“He does anything that’s necessary to make this team win,”Krzyzewski said.

James, the 6-6, 200-pound wall of muscle at guard and forward, also provided touch from the perimeter last season. He knocked down 38 percent of his 3-point attempts and averaged 11 points.

Last year, the above six Blue Devils were it. Freshmen Nick Horvath and Casey Sanders and sophomore Matt Christensen saw limited minutes, but all three have improved greatly and will challenge for playing time, Krzyzewski said.

Adding even more excitement to this season is the addition of freshman phenom ChrisDuhon, the preseason pick for the ACC’s top rookie. The 6-1, 186-pounder can play the point or shooting guard and will give Duke someone else to turn to when Williams needs a break.

“Duhon is like a sixth starter for us,”Krzyzewski said. “Jason Williams, whenever he’s on the floor, is our floor leader. His role doesn’t change from last year. Chris, when he’s in with Jason, will play off the ball.”

Sophomore Andre Buckner gives Duke a third option at the point.

“Last year we had six kids who played, so you never really changed roles,”Krzyzewski said. “This year as somebody emerges, it’ll have an impact on somebody else. How you manage all that will be very important. It’s a good thing to have, but it’s entirely different from last year.”

With so many stars returning, Battier’s hoping for a season filled with similar success but with a different ending. He resisted the temptation to turn pro after last season for three reasons, though he didn’t list them in any particular order.

“A degree, a ring and maturity,”Battier said. “I want to graduate and I didn’t feel I was ready physically or mentally to make that jump. And I came back to get a ring.”