Duke Basketball Outlook: Five Keys to a Fifth Championship in Durham – Tyler Lambert of Bleacher Report

August 31st, 2010 by tylerlambert

The college football season is just a short time away, and many fans are anxious to see how their individual teams have developed over the offseason.

New recruits, well-known coaches, and even proven veterans are all prepared to show the country how much progress they’ve made when the season begins in September.

Although college basketball won’t officially begin until November, two months into the football season, Duke fans have a lot to be excited about before the season even tips off.

For starters, highly-touted recruit Kyrie Irving will become the new floor general for the Blue Devils next season, after last year’s point guard and second team All-American pick Jon Scheyer graduated from the university.

Duke fans will also get to see Liberty transfer Seth Curry in action for the first time. Seth, the brother of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, led all freshmen in scoring two years ago at 20.2 points per game, but had to sit-out last season per transfer rules.

The return of both Kyle Singler (17.7 points per game) and Nolan Smith (17.2 points per game) will also give the Cameron Crazies something to cheer about as the beginning of the season draws near.

Singler, the 2010 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, led Duke to victory in the National Championship game against Butler and decided to stay in school for his senior season, instead of jumping to the NBA.

Singler’s decision to stay helped make Smith’s that much easier. Nolan decided that playing at Duke for his senior year and trying to help the Blue Devil’s repeat was more important to him at the time than trying to make it in the NBA as a junior.

Mason and Miles Plumlee, Andre Dawkins, Ryan Kelly, as well as freshman Tyler Thornton and Josh Hairston round out the remaining players on a loaded Blue Devil team, which will look to once again lift the national championship trophy in March.

The 2010-2011 Duke team seems destined to repeat, with the likes of Smith and Singler returning and newcomers Irving and Curry looking to contribute from day one. But what are the five keys to a fifth title for Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils?

1. Kyrie Irving Must Be Dynamic and Effective in Filling the Void Left by Scheyer

Kyrie Irving, a 6′2″ point guard from Elizabeth, N.J., was one of the top rated players in the recruiting class of 2010. Last season, Irving played for St. Patrick and averaged 25.2 points per game on a team loaded with future Division I players.

Most of the hype surrounding Irving early on in his career has been positive and encouraging for Blue Devil fans, with some scouts even comparing his explosiveness and athleticism to that of former Duke great Jason Williams.

Many people believe that Irving could be one of the best basketball players to ever come out of the state of New Jersey, some even hailing that he could become one of the best to ever wear a Duke uniform.

One thing about Irving at the minute is clear, however, and that’s that he must be dynamic, yet effective, in filling the void left by Jon Scheyer at the point guard position.

Sure, you may say that Irving’s speed and athleticism will easily make him more dynamic than Scheyer, and that may be the case; however, being as effective as Scheyer by hitting shots and not committing turnovers may be tougher for Irving to harness.

Regardless, Irving will look to lead the Blue Devils as a great scorer and even better passer. If Duke has any hopes of repeating, the team will need to get production from their guards, and, most importantly, out of Irving.

2. With Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas Gone, the Plumlees Must Be Assertive in the Paint

Brian Zoubek was once known to the college basketball world as an injury-prone player who was unable to find his place on the court. He could rebound the ball because of his overwhelming size advantage over the competition, that’s for sure, but other than that, there just wasn’t another aspect of the big man’s game to fear.

That all changed last season when Zoubek was completely healthy.

After practicing and working on his offense over the summer, Zoubek became one of the top big men in the ACC last season. He began the year slowly, which is normal for centers in college, but as the season progressed, he continued to improve.

Lance Thomas, on the other hand, was never known for being a big presence in the paint at Duke. He could consistently rebound like Zoubek, but his expertise was defending the opposing team’s most versatile player and drawing charges down low.

Now that both players have graduated, two big men will have to fill their places on this year’s team. It’s a no-brainer to think that Mason and Miles Plumlee are the best two options, but they must become assertive leaders in the paint.

Last season, both of the Plumlees came off the bench to give Thomas and Zoubek some rest during games. This coming year, however, one of the brothers will likely start (Mason) and the other will be his second-hand big man of the bench (Miles).

The Blue Devils know that their guard play will be better than last year, but how well can their centers and power forwards adjust to larger roles on the team? It all starts with the Plumlee brothers becoming assertive in the paint, and becoming leaders on a team that is more guard-oriented than last season.

3. Seth Curry Will Need to Be a Scoring Threat on the Perimeter Alongside Smith and Irving.

Seth Curry’s older brother, Stephen, captured the hearts of many two years ago, when he led his Davidson team to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Stephen consistently put up big numbers the entire tournament and nearly led his team to the Final Four.

Seth, like Stephen, put up huge numbers as a freshman in college playing for Liberty University, averaging just over 20 points a contest. After just one season with the team, though, Seth decided to take his talents elsewhere and transferred to Duke.

Although he had to sit out last season, per NCAA transfer rules, Seth was allowed to practice with the team and get accustomed with his new teammates.

Now that Seth will finally be allowed to play a game in a Duke jersey this upcoming season, the Blue Devils will look for him to be an explosive scorer for their team just as he was at Liberty.

Every fan knows what they are going to get out of Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving on the perimeter, but what kind of player will Seth become on a team loaded with four legit scoring threats?

Duke will be stacked with talent during the upcoming year, but Seth Curry must make a name for himself by becoming a consistent scorer and giving Smith and Irving help on the perimeter. If he does, then the Blue Devils will have a great chance to repeat.

4. Andre Dawkins, Tyler Thornton, Ryan Kelly and Josh Hairston Need to Contribute Off the Bench.

Having Scheyer, Singler, and Smith anchor last year’s championship team gave many players little time off the bench. Sure, eight players averaged double-digit minutes per game, but it was mainly the Big Three plus two other players on the court at all times.

This upcoming year, the Blue Devils have the possibility of having a legitimate Big Four in Singler, Smith, Irving, and Curry.

Although it’s hard to imagine that each of the four will consistently score in double figures on a nightly basis, they will each likely end up with a double figure scoring average when the season comes to an end.

With that being said, bench players could see even less time on the court this year.

If Coach K feels the need to call for one of his reserves and asks them to check into the game, however, they must be prepared to immediately contribute once they walk on the court.

Dawkins, Thornton, Kelly, Hairston, and one of the Plumlee brothers will likely be the supporting cast for this year’s team. How they play once they enter each game for one of the starters will be crucial to the Blue Devils season.

5. Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler Must Become Leaders on a Young, Yet Experienced, Team.

Last, but certainly not least, is the importance of the leadership roles that Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler will each have to take. Scheyer, Zoubek, and Thomas are now gone for the Blue Devils, so it will be up to Duke’s top two scorers to lead the younger players.

Being named captains by Coach K earlier this year, Smith and Singler will each have to be prepared to lead their team in pressure situations.

They will have to demand the ball when the shot clock is running down, and they will be forced to make quick decisions when closing out games.

This season’s team may be considered a group of veterans, but there are several new faces that were added to the Duke Program.

Irving, Hairston, and Thornton were each members of the Class of 2010 recruiting class, and each will need help during the season to progress as players. That’s where Singler and Smith will need to come along and offer assistance to the young players.

The 2010-2011 team may have more talented players than in years past, but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this team will be led by Smith and Singler. How they respond to their new leadership roles, however, may be the most crucial aspect in the Blue Devils’ hopes of repeating.

Only time will tell, but if each of the keys are followed out throughout the course of the season, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Duke Blue Devils will once again reign in March and claim the program’s fifth NCAA title under Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

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Three Reasons Duke is Austin Rivers’ Only Choice – Curtis Clontz of Bleacher Report

August 29th, 2010 by curtisclontz

Austin Rivers is quickly becoming one of the most hyped basketball players in recent memory.  The John Wall-like press and buckets of love coming his way is nothing short of remarkable.

In 2003 Carmelo Anthony proved to the world that a single recruit can elevate a team to championship fame.  Since that time, institutes have been throwing the farm at recruits hoping for the same success.

Last Halloween John Wall dressed up like the Calipari Kid, this year he will be a Wizard.  At Kentucky he was unable to put his wizardry to work and create the magic of a championship.  Austin Rivers is like John Wall in many ways, but in just as many ways the two are a world a part.

Throughout Rivers’ recruitment process he has been promised the world.  Currently the Austin sweepstakes have UNC, Kansas, Florida, and Duke remaining.

Many feel that Duke is the front runner by a mile.  He has been observed wearing Duke gear more than once.  If this is indeed the facility of higher education (okay facility of higher basketball) that he chooses, it could be a match made in Heaven.

Reason 1 – Attrition

The addition of Rivers to the Duke roster would be huge.  He would be the best player recruited to wear this color blue in a long time.  Duke has a very talented and deep team this season, some think that reason alone is one to make Rivers shy away.

That very reason will do the opposite.

At the completion of this season, Duke will lose Nolan Smith.  He is a senior and the NCAA would frown on him sticking around.

Another loss could be the early departure of point guard Kyrie Irving.  Irving is expected to not only start but push for ACC Freshman of the year honors.  Irving is more than likely a one and done.

If this does happen, then Duke will have a void in which Rivers would be perfect to fill!

Now let’s get back to the depth part.  If Rivers not only knows that he will start for a top contender with top talent and depth, why would he go elsewhere?

Reason 2 – FIBA

I can almost see you smirking through the computer right now.  How could the International Basketball Federation help a single American player chose where to go to college?  Competition and camaraderie, that’s how!

On the summer’s U18 team, Rivers was joined by two familiar faces; Jeff Capel (coach) and Kyrie Irving (fellow guard).

Throughout the U18 tenure, the two (Rivers and Irving) were seen together often.  So much so, that when Rivers openly wore Duke clothing after a win, media promptly asked Irving if he was doing his own recruiting.

Although it may be merely an assumption, you can’t help but believe that Capel (Oklahoma head coach), Irving, and Rivers had several Duke conversations.  After all, it was Capel who hit one of the most exciting shots in Duke history (40 foot runner against UNC forcing double OT).

Capel was a starting guard for Duke all four years he attended, and Irving more than likely will be a starter for as long as he attends Duke.

Irving may be a one and done.  If that is the case Rivers may be looking for the torch.  If said torch is passed from Irving to Rivers, then Duke is going to be happy for years to come.

Reason 3 – The K Factor

Duke’s Coach K is not just a basketball coach.  He is a life coach, mentor, and one of the greatest basketball minds in the history of the sport.

No one expects Rivers to plant roots at a school and stick around.  Although Duke is typically a team oriented system type of organization, their coach provides Rivers with something none of the others can; NBA caliber coaching.

Presently K is running through the World Championship tourney at ease.  Oh yea, he is doing it with what is being known as the “B” Team.  In other words, he is dominating the world’s best, with America’s second best.

They have bought into K’s system and its effectiveness is being displayed each time they play.

K can be credited with bringing USA back to gold medal standards, and that relationship  built with the NBA players is special.  A player like Rivers that is eyeing the league can only benefit from such coaching.

Coach K provides unique experiences that Donovan, Williams, and Self can’t.  He has coached Kobe, Lebron, D-Wade, and Durant.  In the eyes of a NBA-bound guard, this is money in the making.  If K can turn Kobe into one of the best defenders in the world, imagine what he can do with Rivers.

At this point Rivers more than likely has a sure front runner, but he is not sharing that information.  There are many great reasons to pick any of the top four teams left on his list.  All are incredible schools and will have a real shot at a title.

The sure thing is that wherever he goes, they will greatly be rewarded.  Austin Rivers is a future superstar.  He is everything that Wall and Irving are, and that much more.  Expect the recruiting race to be hot and heavy until he makes his pick, instantly lifting the hopes and dreams of the fans and faithful of that school.

Get ready for the circus, the Rivers story is just beginning.

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Devil of a Question: Who Will Start For Duke? – Curtis Clontz of Bleacher Report

August 26th, 2010 by curtisclontz

The Duke Blue Devils were supposed to be un-athletic, average in talent, and unable to compete with the Kentucky’s and Kansas’ of the nation.  Final Four Most Outstanding Player Kyle Singler was supposed to be a first round draft pick.  Starting guard Nolan Smith was assumed to be following Singler to the league.  The Duke Blue Devils were supposed to lose their starting five…

Wow…  Guess a lot of people were wrong.

The wave of emotion that followed suit was nothing short of pure humor.  Duke fans were not only gloating from being crowned champions, they were also bragging that their returning nucleus is more than worthy of back to back title conversation.

The rest of ACC Country wasn’t as impressed.  UNC faith-full looked at it as no big deal, after all they won it the year before.  Carolina fans usually followed up that comment with some sort of Barnes is better than Irving remark…

If UNC is going to dethrone the reigning ACC and NCAA Champs, they are going to have to contend with a devil of a team.  This team is not only going to be good, they are scary.

If you are going to fall under the category of scary, then you must have talent, athletes, experience, and depth.  The new look Devils have every bit of that and some.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THEIR ROSTER FOR NEXT YEAR

The starting five of many NCAA teams changes on a regular basis.  Duke’s is no exception.  Coach K plays the guys who is going to give him the best chance of winning.  Don’t take my word for it, just ask Greg Paulus and Nolan Smith (both of whom were benched in favor of junior players).

The Point

In American basketball today, the point guard is easily the most important position on the court.  Big men like Tim Duncan no longer dominate the ACC.  Back to the basket centers are almost extinct.

This team has a bright spot at the one guard.  Freshman Kyrie Irving steps in and is expected to take the helm.  One common denominator from every Duke championship is the point guard.

Bobby Hurley, Jason Williams, and Jon Scheyer all led their teams as a coach on the court.  Kyrie may be a freshman, but he will have his chance to shine.  This is his spot to lose!

Just because a freshman is supposed to be great, does not mean he will be.  If Kyrie struggles and does not become the player Coach K thinks he will, then the spot could quickly belong to senior Nolan Smith.

Nolan is more of a two guard, but his senior leadership automatically signs him up for this spot should Irving fail.

The Two

Nolan Smith will be a starter.  The perfect spot for him in this lineup is at the two.  Nolan is a much better shooting guard.  Many may still remember that it was Nolan who got benched in favor of a very athletic freshman by the name of Elliot Williams a few years ago.  Since that day he has never regained sole possession of that spot.

That being said, don’t get it twisted.  Nolan Smith is the second best player on this team and is a captain for a reason.  He will have several chances to take over games throughout the season.

Smith can drive, shoot, and pass.  If it wasn’t for Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith would be the true superstar on this team.  Nolan was second team All-ACC last year, he is a first team candidate this year.

If Smith cannot avoid the injury bug a UFC type battle between Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins may ensue.  Both will get plenty of PT, but don’t expect either to start over Smith at the two.

The Three:  Another guard or Singler spot?

The three guard or small forward position may already be locked up.  Duke will run a Phoenix Suns pro type offense next season, which means this may turn into a three guard spot.

Three guard means that Curry, Dawkins, and Ryan Kelly will split time making sure fresh legs are always on the court.

The better answer of who will start at this spot is Kyle Singler.  The true star of this team, Singler will be the go to guy late in games.  He is the reining Final Four M.O.P. for a reason, he can play.  Singler turned down the show for a chance at back to back titles, he gives this team a fighting chance.

Singler is arguably the best player in the ACC, and is a lock for first team honors.

The Four

Who knew that Duke would turn into a family affair?  Coach K has the option to start two Plumlees!  If that is the case expect one of them to lay claim to this spot.

Miles would be the better suited for the four.  He will be asked to fill Lance Thomas’ shoes which includes charges, rebounds, and hustle.  He can do that, but will be more exciting and a better scorer.

This is where Duke makes an immediate upgrade.  While Thomas filled his role and was extremely important, Miles will be able to do more at this position and come seasons end, he may be more of a consistent contributor.

The Big Man

Last year Brian Zoubek became one of the best stories in the country.  He over came injury after injury to blossoming into the big man K thought he was recruiting.

Now that he is trying to make an NBA roster, Duke has to replace him.  The person to do so may be Mason Plumlee.

Plumlee volume two is more athletic than Miles.  Mason was a often a spark plug off of the bench, this year he will get plenty of time to dunk all over the competition.

While Big Z and Lance Thomas are both hard to replace, the combination of the Plumlees very well could result in a better on court pair.

The Starting Five:  Going Small

1.  Kyrie Irving

2.  Nolan Smith

3.  Seth Curry

4.  Kyle Singler

5.  Miles Plumlee

Don’t be surprised is you see Seth turn into a regular starter.  He is often the forgotten player on this team, and he will quickly made his presence felt!

The Starting Five – Going Big

1.  Kyrie Irving

2.  Nolan Smith

3.  Kyle Singler

4.  Miles Plumlee

5.  Mason Plumlee

The Wildcards

No matter what, we are not Ms. Cleo.  Unforeseeable events will happen to change the starting line-ups.

Watch out for Ryan Kelly, Seth Curry, and Andre Dawkins.  All three have been working diligently in the off-season.  Any of the three could steal a spot!

Kelly has been working just as hard as anyone on this team.  He WILL be ready for the season and is as motivated as anyone in the ACC.  He is a welcome addition, and if his talent and work ethic come together he could slide into a starting spot.

Seth Curry has basketball in his blood.  Dell Curry (father) has said that he is just as good as Stephan Curry (brother).  Seth single handily carried Davidson throughout the NCAA Tourney several times, and was a true superstar in college.  If he is as good as his brother was at this point, then K will have to start him.  He is the true wildcard on this team.

Andre Dawkins was a bomber last season, and not in a bad way.  He has the confidence of a Reggie Miller, and has a shot to go with it.  If he plays like he has over the summer (scored 30+ on several occasions) then he will not only earn a spot, he will single handily steal one!

Although it is a good problem, Duke will have players that can’t get on the court because of the talent already on it.

The starting five will change a ton early in the season.  K always does it, but by Christmas his core will be set, and this team will be doing everything they can to get Duke another banner and K one more title.

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Double in Durham? An Early Preview of The New Look Blue Devils – Curtis Clontz of Bleacher Report

August 22nd, 2010 by curtisclontz

Last season the North Carolina Tarheels had one of the worst post title hangovers in history.  Their loss in the NIT Championship was a perfect example of how they played all season long.

If those same Tarheels are expecting the current champions to follow in their footsteps, they are wrong.  Duke is going to be tough!  They are going to be talented, athletic, and one of the best teams in the nation.

The Coaches:

The Man, The Myth, The Legend:  Mike Krzyzewski

Arguably one of the best coaches in the history of the sport.  He took his Military background, combined it with the mentorship of Bob Knight, and turned into an incredible coach, husband, and father.  He automatically gets his team 5-10 wins (if not more) just with coaching.

Associate Head Coach:  Steve Wojciechowski

“Wojo” was one of the most interesting and exciting players to call Duke home.  His ability to lead on the court transitioned nicely to coach.  Although a great point guard, he typically works with the big guys.  Expect him to be a key component in the Plumlee development program.

Associate Head Coach:  Chris Collins

Coach Collins’ best attribute could very well be his recruiting ability.  He was instrumental in bringing in superstar Jon Scheyer.  Collins is a very intelligent coach and will be very important to this team.

Assistant Coach:  Nate James

Nate James is the only player in ACC history to win five straight straight conference titles.  It is said that his toughness is unmatchable.  James has had a huge impact over captain Kyle Singler.  Expect Nate’s work ethic to help the Plumlees just as much.

The Playmakers

Next week I will take an in-depth look at the roster, and breakdown their prospective starting 5.  In the mean time here is a quick look at your 2010-2011 Duke Blue Devils.

Kyle Singler – NCAA Final Four MOP and a horse in the ACC POY and National POY races.  Last season Singler was the most important part of “the big three” down the stretch.  Expect great things from Kyle this year, he is the picture perfect upperclassmen that stayed for four years.  He buys into Duke and is the biggest reason Duke will be making a push for two in a row.

Nolan Smith – Smith followed Kyle Singler and stayed at Duke.  A piece of last year’s “big three”, Smith often slid to the 2 guard spot.  He was often the player that could drive, score, or get to the line.  Over the summer Smith has been on fire scoring 30+ on several occasions.  Expect Smith to have an even bigger year.  The addition of true point guard Kyrie Irving keeps Smith at the 2, and the place where he is most comfortable.  Senior guards that get single coverage tend to make big plays.  Expect a lot of big plays.

Miles Plumee – Who knew a few years ago that Duke would be the future home of the Plumlee connection.  Miles played well last year but expect a huge jump this year.  He will more than likely be a starter, get a lot more playing time, and be the rebounding presence in the absence of graduate Brian Zoubek.

Mason Plumlee – Plumlee volume two was a bright spot on last year’s roster.  This season he will be a better blocker and much better scorer.  Mason may be the most exciting player in the post this season.  He is an athletic player that can jump and will have his share of posterizations in the upcoming season.

Andre Dawkins – Last year Dawkins showed no fear.  At times it appeared that he was shooting the ball no matter where he was on the court.  This season he is a year smarter and his shot is even better.  Dawkins hit a couple of key shots in the Championship game last season, expect more of the same this year.  Dawkins very well could get lost in the shuffle of the Duke guards, but if his shot is on, he is in!  He is possibly the best pure shooter on this roster.

Seth Curry – Talk about having basketball in your blood.  Dad Dell and brother Stephen are amazing basketball players.  It has been said that Seth can be just as good as Stephen, but lets not get crazy yet.  Seth is arguably the most hyped transfer to Duke in history, and this will be his year to shine.  Last season he won a title from the bench, this season he wants to put his stamp on Duke history and win one from the court.

Ryan Kelly – Last season Kelly snuck some playing time early in the season but fizzled out as the competition stepped up.  Over the off-season Kelly has been working just as hard as anyone in the country.  Kelly could be the perfect person to step into the void left by Lance Thomas, especially if an injury occurs to one of the Plumlees.  A hard worker that will put his body on the line, expect him to see some time and be a spark plug off of the bench.

Josh Hairston - Josh’s role on this team will depend on his ability to get used to the speed at this level.  Josh can run, but is said to have suspect hands in the break.  Something a 4 on this squad wont be able to have.  This is going to be a running team, if he can step up then he could be a welcome addition off of the bench.  If not, then it will be a long hard year, and a long wait for the graduation of the Plumlee connection.

Tyler Thornton – Tyler is the gravy soaked biscuit on Thanksgiving.  Although good, you are so full from the turkey that you don’t have room.  On this guard stacked team, it will be extremely difficult for Tyler to get onto the court.  Tyler’s role will be very important next year.  The combined losses of Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving (if he leaves early) means that Tyler could step into the starting lineup out of the blue.  This is a learning year, one that will get him ready for the future.  He may see PT early, but come conference play he will be on the pine.

Last but certainly not least…

Kyrie Irving – It is said that you are supposed to leave the best for last.  I am not saying this is the case, but it is certainly a possibility.  This year’s John Wall, Kyrie Irving will be in the running for ACC Freshman of the Year, and many other accolades.  Irving is the best point guard to join Duke since Jay Williams, and his addition makes this team a very dangerous one.  The ceiling is high for Irving, and if he reaches full potential then it will be a special year.

Duke is a solid team and deserves the preseason’s top ranking.  They will be one of the deepest and most talented teams in the nation.  Most of their players know how it feels to cut down the nets, and they want it to happen again.  This team very well could be better than last years, and may be one of the best that Coach K has ever put together.

Note – I did not add walk-ons and team managers.

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Can Kyrie Irving Become Duke’s Most Important Devil? – Curtis Clontz of Bleacher Report

August 16th, 2010 by curtisclontz

In the college basketball of today’s era, depth on a team is like the steak you had last night: rare.  Last season, The National Champion Duke Blue Devils started better than average, but finished the best.

One of the reason’s they will hoist another banner over Coach K Court was their depth.  They suited the “Big 3″ well before Lebron’s shenanigans.  Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, and Kyle Singler were a dominating three-headed monster that built off of one another all year long.

As the season wound down, Kyle Singler seemed to become the most important part of that specific trio.  He was awarded the Final Four M.O.P.

As Kyle cut the nets, most Duke fans assumed he was off to the show.  Kyle got everyone with the oopdie-oop and decided to return to the premier basketball institution in the world.

Welcome back Kyle, but could it be possible that Kyrie Irving could dethrone Singler and become the most important Devil by season’s end?

I recently introduced Kyrie to the Raycom site (in this post).  He is without a doubt going to be a key piece of the team’s puzzle next season.

The title question will get many smirks, questions, and maybe start an argument or two, but Irving is special.

Irving is a true point guard who can shoot, pass, and dribble.  It is unfair to compare Singler and Irving for many reasons, but by season’s end Irving may be they key to this team.

Conference play is always tough.  Every game will be a battle to the finish.  Irving will be the guy carrying the ball down the court and distributing.

In crunch time this running team will use Irving to push the court.  Like Williams did, expect him to drive and dish getting Smith, Singler, Curry, or an open Plumlee the ball.  If other teams don’t double him, then he can take the ball to the rim with ease.  Kyrie has been known to be “unstoppable” at times.

Teams will not be able to double team everyone.  That would be illegal.  Teams will pick their poison and force someone other than Singler to beat them.  The freshman guard will be doubled far less and will have his chances to shine.

Irving will be a coach on the court next season.  He will be an X-factor that few teams will be able to contain.  The combination of Singler and Irving is a rare one that teams dream about, and will be a lot of fun to watch.

No, Irving is not a better player than Singler, but as the season plays out he very well may be the most important Devil.

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Seth Curry Ready to Leave His Mark at Duke – Justin McTeer of Bleacher Report

August 9th, 2010 by justinmcteer

After a somewhat unexpected championship run last season, the Duke Blue Devils are set to begin the 2010-11 season as the nation’s top team.

Blue Devil fans have a lot to look forward to as the season approaches.

Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler are back for their senior campaigns, Kyrie Irving has as much promise as any Duke freshman in recent memory, and Mason Plumlee should get more alley oops than ever.

But while those are all exciting things to anticipate, one of the most intriguing aspects of Duke’s upcoming season is, without doubt, the addition of Seth Curry to the active roster.

Curry transferred to Duke after his freshman season at Liberty College in 2008-09 and spent all of last season practicing with the team but unable to play due to transfer rules.

I had the chance to talk with Curry recently, and it’s clear that after redshirting during Duke’s championship season, he’s as ready as ever to get back on the court and show the nation what he can do.

“I’m so anxious,” Curry said.  ”It seems like I haven’t played in like five years or something like that.”

He may have missed being on the court, but the time on the bench is something Curry put to good use.

“It’s great to be around a championship team like this, working and practicing everyday,” Curry said.  ”It’s been great to see what this team can accomplish, and how fun it is, the journey of winning a championship.  I’ve just tried to take it all in and learn from the experience.”

From his spot at the end of the Blue Devils bench, Curry had the opportunity to watch his teammates come together and play with more unity than is typical in today’s college game.  Every Duke player on last year’s team knew and embraced their role, whether it involved putting points on the board or going after rebounds.

The result was spectacular as the Blue Devils won every tournament they played in from the beginning of the season to the end.

Curry will likely take on a role he isn’t used to as Duke tries to re-create last year’s success—bench player.

With Smith and Irving starting, Curry will probably be the first guard off Duke’s bench.

Of course, being a Curry (in case you’re one of the only basketball fans that didn’t know, Seth is the son of former NBA player Dell Curry and the younger brother of current NBAer and recent college great Stephen Curry) means added expectations regardless of whether or not you start.

Curry doesn’t mind the added pressure that comes along with his family’s reputation though.  In fact, he embraces it.

“I definitely try to be my own person, but having that Curry name, you have to go out there and represent it well.  That just gives me extra motivation to go out there and live up to the billing.”

It isn’t just the family name that Curry is looking to live up to, however.  He’s also got the expectations brought on by his own accomplishments adding to the hype.

As a freshmen at Liberty, Curry led all NCAA freshmen in scoring at 20.2 points per game. He had big games against Virginia and Clemson that season, averaging 25 points per game against the ACC teams.

Last season, reports from Duke practices gushed with praise for Curry’s ability to shoot the ball.

Smith tweeted early in the season that when all was said and done, Curry might be remembered as the best shooter in Duke history instead of J.J. Redick.  Maybe Smith felt the expectations for Curry weren’t high enough.

Curry certainly appreciates the comparison, but he’s quick to assert his desire to leave his own mark on the college game.

“I’m not really trying to be better than [Redick],” Curry said.  ”I’m just going to go out there and be me.”

Comparisons are something that Curry will have to get used to.

If he’s not getting compared to great shooters like Redick, he’ll certainly be likened to his older brother frequently.

Neither comparison is entirely accurate—Seth certainly has his own style of play.  But that doesn’t mean the comparisons won’t come.

Though Curry may still be in his older brother’s shadow, he’ll have a chance to establish his own reputation as a great college player when the season begins.

Don’t be surprised if he does so sooner than later.

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Welcome Aboard: A Quick Look At Duke’s Fabulous Freshmen – Curtis Clontz of Bleacher Report

August 4th, 2010 by curtisclontz

It has been four full months since the Duke Blue Devils finished as the NCAA Champions. Like previous Duke titles, this team had a great combination of talent, intelligence, and experience.  As the sun set on the NCAA Tourney, so did the careers of Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas, and Brian Zoubek.  They all three had solid careers and will be missed, but they have been replaced.

Duke is a perennial powerhouse and is almost always in the nation’s top ten.  Their run at the top is due to their Hall of Fame coach, intense hustle play, team work, but most importantly their recruiting.

The 2010-2011 season is going to be special.  The Duke Blue Devils are the reigning champs and very well could be suiting a better team.  This season they are bringing in several key additions that are once again making them THE team to beat in D1 basketball.

Kyrie Irving

All of Coach K’s championship teams have been anchored by superior guard play.  Bobby Hurley and Jay Williams are two of the best ACC point guards in history, and their tenures at Duke were incredible.  It is possible that Kyrie is the next in the long line of great point guards to call Duke home.

Kyrie is this years premier point guard.  He is a true one guard that can pass, shoot, and drive.  He is already being touted as Duke’s next Jay Will.  If he plays anything close to that level in his freshman year then this team will be scary.

Unfortunately, with excellence in today’s game comes problems.  Irving very well may be the ACC’s freshman of the year next season, but he already has dollar signs in his eyes.  It is expected that he will go pro after one season.

Potential:  Kyrie Irving not only has the potential to be the ACC’s best freshman, but could play into ACC First team honors.

Down Side:  Being compared to John Wall is impressive, unless you are referring to his early NCAA exit.  Hype, talent, and fame is not a down side, unless he isn’t what we are all hoping for.

Josh Hairston

Last season one of the most important players was Brian Zoubek.  Big Z wasn’t your typical scoring threat, but he was an absolute beast off of the glass.  Out walked Z, in walks Hairston.  While Josh is not a seven footer, he will be a welcome substitute for the Plumlee family tree.  Hairston is the picture perfect Duke big guy.  He is a solid team player that is not afraid to pull boards, play D, and hustle.

Potential:  It is said that Josh Hairston is very good without the ball in the open court.  Next season Duke is going to be playing a run and gun offense, an exciting brand of ball that plays into Josh’s strengths.  Expect Josh to be a decent role player or Plumlee change of pace.

Down Side:  The step up in competition from high school to college is one that players can have trouble with.  Josh Hairston is an average athlete that may have trouble with the speed of the new game.  His biggest knock is his hands and ball control.

Tyler Thornton

If you were to compare Tyler to a previous Devil it could be Duke Assistant Coach Steve Wojciechowski.  Tyler is a constant defensive threat that will be a fixture at Duke for years to come.  He fits the Duke mold and is an aggressive spark plug at all times.

Potential:  Unlike Kyrie Irving, Tyler has time to grow and learn the college game.  Thornton is a coach on the floor and could be a very special player in the future.

Down Side:  Do you remember how it felt as a kid to have all of those toys on Christmas morning?  Tyler is the non-flashy toy without bells and whistles that is going to be pushed to the back of the closet.  There is simply no PT for him on this team.  Tyler will be very important on the practice court but may not be a regular until his junior year.

Duke is going to be one of the deepest teams in the nation next year.  They didn’t rebuild after their title, they reloaded.  Adding one of the best point guards in the nation in a hole left by a senior is rare.  Irving could step into the hole left by Jon Scheyer and lead this team all season long.

It may be a scary thought for the rest of the ACC, but this Duke team “on paper” is better than last year’s.  They are deeper, more talented, and more athletic.  The 2009-2010 season was very special, but this team is capable of earning Coach K his second repeat and the first coach to do so since the late John Wooden.

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Early, Early Picks for ACC Basketball–2010-11

May 13th, 2010 by Brandon Rink

Here’s a simulcast with my daily ACC blog at On The B. Rink…

Last couple weeks, we looked at the early entrants and the grads–but how about the ACC players coming back and how the ACC dominoes fall next season?

The News & Observer puts together an early projected starting lineup yearly with early entrants/graduation/new recruits factored in and here’s my early picks based off how the ACC is looking at this point.

1. Duke Blue Devils

2009-10: 13-3, first
G Kyrie Irving, fr.
G Seth Curry, soph. (20.2 ppg @ Liberty)
G Nolan Smith, sr. (17.4 ppg)
F Kyle Singler, sr. (17.7 ppg)
F Mason Plumlee, soph. (3.7 ppg)
Bench: G Andre Dawkins, F Miles Plumlee, F Ryan Kelly, F Josh Hairston

Outlook: Loooooooooooooooaded. They will be a unanimous choice for the ACC and one of the top teams in the country.

2. Florida State Seminoles

2009-10: 10-6, third
G Derwin Kitchen, sr. (8.1 ppg)
G Deividas Dulkys, jr. (8.7 ppg)
G Michael Snaer, soph. (8.8 ppg)
F Chris Singleton, jr. (10.2 ppg)
F Xavier Gibson, jr. (5.5 ppg)
Bench: G Luke Loucks, F Terrance Shannon, PG Ian Miller, F Okaro White, F Jon Kreft

Outlook: No Alabi, no problem? That’s what I’m saying–the cupboard isn’t bare at FSU and if there’s a year that Hamilton’s Noles make a run–it has to be this season.

3. Virginia Tech Hokies

2009-10: 10-6, fourth
G Malcolm Delaney, sr. (20.2 ppg)
G Dorenzo Hudson, sr. (12.0 ppg)
F Terrell Bell, sr. (6.1 ppg)
F Victor Davila, jr. (5.3 ppg)
F Jeff Allen, sr. (15.2 ppg)
Bench: F J.T. Thompson, G Erick Green, F Jarell Eddie, F Allan Chaney, F Cadarian Raines, F Manny Atkins, G Ben Boggs

Outlook: The time is now in Blacksburg as they return everybody. Greenberg needs to advance past simply making the ever-elusive NCAA Tourney, but win some games in said tourney.

4. North Carolina Tar Heels

2009-10: 5-11, 10th
G Larry Drew II, jr. (8.5 ppg)
G Reggie Bullock, fr.
F Harrison Barnes, fr.
F John Henson, soph. (5.7 ppg)
F Tyler Zeller, jr. (9.3 ppg)
Bench: F Will Graves, G Dexter Strickland, PG Kendall Marshall, G Leslie McDonald

Outlook: The Tar Heels are an interesting squad to watch this season because they had such a fall from grace last season. Heels are still young and Williams will have quite a coaching job to do to get UNC back to the top.

5. Maryland Terrapins

2009-10: 13-3, second
G Adrian Bowie, sr. (4.8 ppg)
G Sean Mosley, jr. (10.1 ppg)
G Cliff Tucker, sr. (5.7 ppg)
F Dino Gregory, sr. (4.2 ppg)
F Jordan Williams, soph. (9.6 ppg)
Bench: F James Padgett, G Terrell Stoglin, F Mychal Parker, PG Pe’Shon Howard

Outlook: Terps lose three of their biggest starters from last season with Vasquez, Hayes, and Milbourne, but they have a talented group coming back. Sean Mosley has to step into the go-to-guy role and Jordan Williams has to expand his role in the paint for the Terps to stay here.

6. Clemson Tigers

2009-10: 9-7, sixth
G Demontez Stitt, sr. (11.4 ppg)
G Tanner Smith, jr. (8.7 ppg)
F Milton Jennings, soph. (3.2 ppg)
F Devin Booker, soph. (4.5 ppg)
F Jerai Grant, sr. (7.2 ppg)
Bench: G Noel Johnson, G Andre Young, G Donte Hill, F Bryan Narcisse

Outlook: The Tigers are in transition between philosophies with a new coach in Brownell and lose star forward Trevor Booker, but this team still has the guns to compete in a wide-open(past Duke) ACC.

7. N.C. State Wolfpack

2009-10: 5-11, 11th
G Javier Gonzalez, sr. (9.5 ppg)
G Lorenzo Brown, fr.
F C.J. Leslie, fr.
F Richard Howell, soph. (4.9 ppg)
F Tracy Smith, sr. (16.5 ppg)
Bench: PG Ryan Harrow, G Scott Wood, G C.J. Williams, F DeShawn Painter, F Jordan Vandenberg

Outlook: Expectations should be high in Raleigh with a talented crew coming in and back. If Lowe can capture the magic of the ACC Tourney run to the semis, the Pack can go far, but I’m staying a bit skeptical on them.

8. Miami Hurricanes

2009-10: 4-12, 12th
G Durand Scott, soph. (10.3 ppg)
G Malcolm Grant, jr. (9.6 ppg)
G DeQuan Jones, jr. (5.7 ppg)
F Julian Gamble, jr. (3.5 ppg)
F Reggie Johnson, soph. (6.4 ppg)
Bench: G Rion Brown, G Garrius Adams, G Antoine Allen, F Donnavan Kirk

Outlook: Miami will be a trendy pick this season, but I’m on the fence with them. I  like Scott and Johnson, but Miami has a lot to prove right now.

9. Virginia Cavaliers

2009-10: 5-11, ninth
G Jontel Evans, soph. (2.4 ppg)
G Sammy Zeglinski, jr. (8.9 ppg)
G K.T. Harrell, fr.
F Mike Scott, sr. (12.0 ppg)
F James Johnson, fr.
Bench: PG Billy Baron, F Will Regan, F Assane Sene, G Joe Harris, G Mustapha Farrakhan, F Will Sherrill

Outlook: I had the ‘Hoos at ninth in my early, early picks last season and that’s where they finished–completely new team coming to play next season with Bennett cleaning house, but they have some talent.

10. Boston College Eagles

2009-10: 6-10, eighth
G Reggie Jackson, jr. (12.9 ppg)
G Dallas Elmore, jr. (3.9 ppg)
F Corey Raji, sr. (11.4 ppg)
F Joe Trapani, sr. (14.1 ppg)
F Josh Southern, sr. (4.4 ppg)
Bench: PG Biko Paris, F Courtney Dunn

Outlook: New system, several transfers, and a squad of mostly unproven, consistently, players at this level–hard to get behind the Eagles at this point.

11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2009-10: 7-9, seventh
G Moe Miller, sr. (3.9 ppg)
G Iman Shumpert, jr. (10.0 ppg)
G Glen Rice Jr., soph. (5.4 ppg)
F Kammeon Holsey, r-fr.
F Brad Sheehan, sr. (1.2 ppg)
Bench: G Brian Oliver, PG Mfon Udofia, F Daniel Miller

Outlook: The Jackets return all of their primary guards, but the problem falls with losing the three best players off last year’s team with Favors, Lawal, and Peacock in the paint. I will stay cautious on Georgia Tech because I’m not sure the Jackets’ guards can carry them.

12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

2009-10: 9-7, fifth
G Tony Chennault, fr.
G C.J. Harris, soph. (9.9 ppg)
F Ari Stewart, soph. (7.3 ppg)
F Tony Woods, jr. (4.6 ppg)
F Carson Derosiers, fr.
Bench: F Travis McKie, F Melvin Tabb, G J.T. Terrell, F Ty Walker, G Gary Clark

Outlook: New coach Jeff Bzdelik has a project on his hands, but the cupboard isn’t totally bare. If he can get the Deacs back to the NCAA Tourney, Bzdelik did a great coaching job.

Who’s too high? Who’s underrated? Can anyone knock off Duke? Early NCAA Tourney bid predictions?

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Two Down, Four to Go! – Rob Murray of Big Duke Balls

March 22nd, 2010 by Big Duke Balls

Wow, what a freaking four days of basketball. I’m exhausted. with Kansas going down and with so many lower seeds advancing to the Sweet 16, it certainly has been the best four days of basketball that I’ve seen in a long, long time. I was planning on doing a whole write up about the first two rounds, but I need a break. I’ll jump on it by Wednesday.

Did I forget to mention Duke? I did, didn’t I? What can I say, the Blue Devils continue to fly under the radar after an impressive win against the PAC-10 regular season champ, California.

With so many upsets, with so many big performances by players from small schools, with so many last seconds shots going in or just missing, with Kentucky and Syracuse blowing away the competition, the Devils just did their job this week and it barely registered.

They were never threatened, there was never any doubt, yet I’ll be willing to bet you’ll barely hear a word about your Devils.

And I think that’s exactly how we all want it.

SO WHAT DID I SEE TONIGHT?

NOLAN’S NIGHT
Two days after Nolan Smith struggled against Arkansas-Pine Buff, Duke’s junior guard dominated. He dominated on offense. He dominated on defense. Let’s start with the latter.

The Bears were known for their run-and-gun offense. A roster loaded with guys who were willing and able to shoot from almost anywhere past the mid-court line. For Duke, the man who needed to be stopped was diminutive point guard, Jerome Randle.

After hitting three of his first four shots tonight, Nolan Smith locked down on Randle, holding him to 2-8 the rest of the way. He was 2-6 from three and never sniffed the free throw line.

Of course none of this should be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. Smith’s D has been a pleasant surprise all season and will be key to any deep run by Duke.

On the offensive end, the thing about Nolan is, you’ll know right away if he’s going to have a stud game or not. He just has a tendency to start burning hot or ice-cold and he doesn’t change throughout the game. Tonight, he scored 20, on 9-18 shooting. 

TAKE TWO
Shots get missed. That’s basketball. Any team would feel blessed if they hit 50% of their shots. The trick is to make sure to get a second chance. That’s how Duke is winning these games. And I’m not just talking about offensive rebounds. Duke only won that 11-8. It’s about producing with those rebounds.

The Blue Devils shot a decent 48% from the floor. That’s a good number, but it gets better when you dig deeper. They missed a total of 30 shots. Yet thanks to our big men, Zoubek, Thomas, Plumlees and even Singler, Duke got a second chance on 36% of their misses.

The Blue Devils pulled down 11 offensive rebounds against California and managed to score eight times for 15 total points. The Bears grabbed eight offensive rebounds, but only managed to score three times for six points.

GAME PLAN ZOUBEK
It’s what all future opponents will have to do. For almost the entire season, all opposing coaches had to do was focus on the big three. Don’t sweat the inside stuff. Zoubek though, who looks like a new man now that he’s healthy, has to be dealt with.

For most of the night, Zoubek was Duke’s second leading scorer. He finished with 14 tonight, including, dare I say it, a dunk. Think about it, when was the last time you saw Brian Zoubek dunk? I’m seriously asking, I have no clue. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him dunk.

Heading into the Sweet 16, Duke will have another size advantage, as Purdue will roll with four guards. However, they do have a big man in JaJuan Johnson. He’s tall and a bit skinny, and he does have the ability to score. The Devils will need to contain him, while Johnson will need to find a way to get on the boards against Duke.

DUKE WON DESPITE…

A) Jon Scheyer’s worst shooting performance of the season. It was bad. He was only 1-11 from the floor. Early on he missed some      w  i  d  e  open threes and later, he missed some bad shots. It was ugly. He can do this against Cal, but he can’t do this anymore or his college career will be over sooner than he hopes.

B) An ability to land a three. The Devils only shot 3-17 from three. No one was able to get anything going deep. It was a true team effort to not hit three-point shots.

C) Multiple stretches without hitting a shot. Twice in the second half, Duke had a four-minute stretch without scoring a basket. The first time, the Bears went on a 8-0 run. The second time Duke held them to a 3-2 run (Duke’s two points coming on free throws).

So how did they still win this thing?

A) Inside scoring. Zoubek and Thomas are both scoring more now than the have all season long. They’re finding the open spots on the floor for passes from the big three and they’re getting put backs off rebounds. Also, both Smith and Singler are driving to the lane and creating points. Smith is doing it with quickness, while Singler uses muscle.

B) Defense. The Blue Devils are playing great D. Nolan is taking care of the point, while the big boys inside are clogging up the lane. The Plumlee brothers have also done a better job of defending when they’re in there. Speaking of…

MILES MAN’S UP
Prior to the tournament I had said that Duke won’t win this thing. Yet, I said they could win if a handful of things happened. One of those things was if a backup stepped up and started to play like a starter. So far, Miles Plumlee has done that.

In only 34 total minutes in the tournament, he has scored 12 points (6-10 shooting) and grabbed 11 rebounds (three offensive). He really has stepped up to the point where when he and his brother come in and Zoubek/Thomas come out, there is little drop off.

STAT OF THE GAME: Duke only turned the ball over five times. In fact, during a 30:29 stretch during the game, Duke turned the ball over only once.

LOOKING AHEAD
Anyhow, great game. So far, Duke remains the favorite in the south region. I’m actually disappointed that Villanova is gone. I would rather play them than Baylor. The reality was, I wanted to avoid the Texas two-step, i.e. playing both Texas A&M and Baylor deep in the heart of Houston, Texas (something I pointed out every time someone said Duke had the easiest road to the Final Four).

Luckily, Purdue took care of the Aggies. That doesn’t mean I think Purdue is not as good as A&M, in fact I think the opposite. I just didn’t want to face A&M in what would have been a true road game for the Blue Devils.

As for the other side of the bracket, don’t assume Baylor will beat St. Mary’s. That Sasquatch the Gaels have, Omar Samhan, is a beast in the middle. So big, so polished. He has owned this tournament. His numbers are so good, he could not play another game and still earn first-team All Tournament. He is 24-32 from the field, 13-21 from the line, grabbing 19 boards and blocking three shots. Oh and he did all that with foul trouble.

Of course if Duke and St. Mary’s end up in the Elight Eight, there would be times when you’ll see nine white players on the floor at any given time. Strange days indeed.

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Duke ready to go in Jacksonville – Mark Watson of Blue Devil Nation

March 19th, 2010 by Mark Watson

There is a sense of confidence surrounding this group of Blue Devils, unlike past seasons where you could see the worry.  While inside the Duke locker room before their open practice, you could not find a player other than Nolan that was willing to look ahead.

Be it Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer or Lance Thomas, every player realized that to reach their goal of going to Indianapolis, they had to take it one step at a time.  Duke will tip off against Arkansas Pine Bluff in just a few hours and I can tell you they are ready.

As for Smith, it’s hard not to look ahead when Louisville could be Duke’s opponent on Sunday.  Of course, Smith’s Dad Derrick, was a star for the Ville and Smith wears a tattoo in his honor.  In fact, Smith once told me in a rare serious moment that his Dad watches from heaven.

Louisville will have to get past California for that match up to happen, but Big East teams are going down like flies after day one of the tournament.

Smith is always smiling and he keeps his teammates lose, but when the whistle blows, he’s all business.  While Scheyer and Singler get the most press of the big three, Smith is as much of a part of the glue if this team as they are.

Duke shot around in the Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum around 3:30 yesterday afternoon as Krzyzewski and staff watched closely to see if adjustments needed to be made.  One of the drills they ran required sliding across the floor for a loose ball and we are talking two players knocking heads in the drill.

Krzyzewski was relaxed with the media and seems to relish the opportunity to make another run at a national title.  While he will not pressure his kids with confident comments of going far, there is that look in his eyes and that look has carried his Blue Devils far in the past.

Despite being in the heat of the NCAA Tournament, Duke is in the light with their recruiting efforts as well.  My site BDN broke news of Duke offering a 6-9 behemoth named Tyler Adams yesterday and we just had announced that Carrick Felix to Duke was official.  Add Michael Gbinije [2011] to the list and recruiting efforts are going very well in Durham.

Duke fans may also be interested in BDN’s weekend coverage from Jacksonville where we are bringing you tons of audio clips from players and coaches alike.

Only time will tell if Duke goes far in this tournament, but I feel confident that Duke will come out of this round a winner and head to Houston next week.

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