Monthly Archives: November 2008

Duke Basketball

Three questions for Jon Scheyer

[private]How will the three point line being moved back play into this season?

The guys who really shoot the three can hit them, so it won't bother us that much.  It could become a little bit more of a specialty because teams will not have as many players who can shoot the three.  So, that can change how our game plan works.  Knowing the three is a little further will have us scouting team and looking for the changes.

As a team, how will you deal with the last two seasons early outs in the NCAA's?

You are going to be judged on what you do in March and we haven't done much.  All of us were anxious last year to get back after the loss in our freshman year.  This past year we learned you have to take the games one step at a time and when it comes March we'll worry about that.

How does it feel to be a captain for the Duke Basketball team?

It's something I dreamed about, wanting to be a captain and it's an honor to be named one at Duke University.  I'll do whatever it takes to lead the team.  I'm glad Coach and my teammates have confidence in me and I don't want to let them down.[/private]

Duke Basketball

Duke vs Presbyterian College preview and prediction

[private]The 2008 - 09 basketball season gets underway for real on Monday when Duke hosts Presbyterian College in the first round of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches versus Cancer. Presbyterian is led by Coach Gregg Nibert who is entering his 20th season as coach of the Blue Hose.

Presbyterian returns six players who saw significant minutes on last season's 5 - 25 squad. Center Al'Lonzo Coleman (6'7" 230) provides the Blue Hose inside presence. He averaged 11.2 points and five rebounds a game last season. Forward Bryan Bostic (6'3" 200) chipped in 10 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Josh Johnson (6'3" 185), Pierre Miller (5'10" 160), Travis Sligh (6'4" 210), and Walt Allen (6'4" 220) are the other significant returnees.

Turnovers and free throw shooting will be key points in the game. With Duke being the bigger and more athletic team, Presbyterian cannot afford to give Duke extra offensive possessions, and the Blue Hose must take advantage of scoring opportunities, from the charity stripe, that result from the Blue Devils' aggressiveness.

Taking care of the basketball is not Presbyterian's strong suit as last season they averaged more turnovers per game (14.9) than assists (12.5). Exploiting this weakness will be a primary objective for a Duke team traditionally known for its high intensity defense. In a 70 - 60 exhibition game loss to Division II Augusta State, on November 6th, the Blue Hose turned the ball over eight times, while recording seven assists.

Presbyterian also struggled from the free throw line last season as they made 65.4 percent of their free throw attempts. However, against Augusta State they knocked down 11 of 15 attempts (73.3%). Duke only knocked down 69.7 percent of their free throw attempts last season, but has converted a very respectful 78.3 percent of opportunities so far this season in two exhibition games.

Look for Duke to press relentlessly on defense creating easy scoring opportunities in transition, while taking advantage of their size by pounding the ball inside when in their half-court set. Duke is deep with 12 scholarship players healthy and ready to earn a spot in the rotation, so Coach Krzyzewski will have fresh players available at all times. The Blue Hose do not have the talent, size, or depth to give the Blue Devils a challenge so this game should be well in hand by half-time.

My prediction: Duke 93 - Presbyterian 50.

Watzone's pick:  Duke 97 Presbyterian 46[/private]

Duke Football

Tough loss for Devils – support needs to improve

[private]Duke fell to 1-4 in the ACC and 4-5 overall with a disappointing loss to neighboring rival N.C. State on Saturday afternoon.  When it counted redshirt freshman  quarterback Russell Wilson and the Pack executed while Duke couldn't do the same.

Well, actually Duke did execute between the twenties, but once again the red zone offense failed to take advantage of key opportunities.  One was a bungled exchange from center to quarterback which caused the timing for a wide open touch down to be just a second off.

Then there was a running play where the back stopped moving his legs and driving.  But it wasn't all on the offense.  Time and time again, the Duke secondary got beat when the chips were on the table.  In fact, they made the talented Wilson look even better.  The frustrating thing for our coaches is that they were in position to make the plays, but either jumped too soon or had their back turned to the play.

In short, all that could go wrong did on this day.  Duke went into the game expecting to win, but the Pack seemed to have an edge or sense of urgency early on and it took the Devils a few series to match the intensity.  If you were to point to one play of the many which could have made the game closer, it would be the return of a kickoff for a touchdown after a field goal knotted the game at 3-3.

As disappointed as many fans were leaving the game as the fourth quarter started, Duke was a lot closer than it looked early on.  In fact a look at the stats makes one realize that things just didn't click, for Duke rolled up 400 yards of offense and Thad Lewis was incredibly accurate.

Perhaps the most painful thing from a fans standpoint, was that N.C. State red was all over the place.  IMO, Duke fans didn't turn out as I would have expected.  I can't give the students a pass in this one for the stands were empty save the hard cores and band at games start.

Much has been made of late about student apathy in Cameron and on Saturday it carried over into Wade.  For the first time this season, I visited the students party in the parking lot on the west side.  It was quite the party, and they were second to none in their revelry.  I thought to myself, if we have this crowd of wild ones in the stands in their various outfits, we'll be ready.

As game time came around, very few of the of the crazily Christmas outfitted under grads made it over.  Some were obviously too toasted.  While they in no way had a part in the loss, they did remind many how far we have to go to change the culture.  On a day when we were playing a rival, the message seemed lost in the mail and too many were into the extra curricular activities to be bothered by supporting the team.  I mean, I thought that is why they were partying, but I now know I am wrong.

That said, I hope the students realize how much the players need them there in the future.  Heck, I need them there as a fan.  I can't tell you how much they added to the James Madison game, but the reasoning for not showing up on Saturday obviously perplexes me.  And it was not only at the game, but the Blue Devils Walk where I counted a grand total of 40 students throughout the quad.

Despite all of the disappointments, Cutcliffe still has the program on the right track.  A big part of the puzzle will be recruiting success and the many who were there should see not only the direction the program is going in, but the opportunity to make a mark early.

Other than that, we need to continue to work on the culture collectively and despite the Thanksgiving break versus North Carolina, I hope the students who stay commit themselves to their classmates for the last home game.  Duke needs your support and we all want you to help us with this pursuit of a true ACC Football atmosphere.[/private]

Duke Football

Anything less than standing room only for the Duke-NCSU game in Wade is unacceptable

[private]The Duke Blue Devils will entertain the North Carolina State Wolfpack in football for the first time since 2003 this weekend in Wallace Wade Stadium.  It's a shame it took this long for these two rivals to hook up again, but that's the way it is since the new ACC alignment.

There is no reason for this game to be anything other than a sell out.  N.C. State is sure to bring many a red clad fan in for the 3:30 kickoff and Duke fans need to realize just how long it's been since their team was 4-4 this time of the season.

Coach Cutcliffe worked hard all summer long to get fans excited and involved and it seems to be working.  I listened to a heart breaking defeat to Wake Forest at a local Durham establishment, Devines, located on Main Street last Saturday.

In the past, it was not unusual for Duke fans to turn out, but they were for the most part old school.  On this day, a large group of students joined the old guard in the courtyard and we all sat around together in unison rooting for Cut's kids.

The great thing is that generation gaps were bridged and conversations were those you might expect from friends or fans you've known for a long time.  In short, there was a new level of interest compared to the years of Franks and Roof. 

The crowd prompted long time Herald Sun sportswriter and my pal Frank Dascenzo to say, "Can you believe this?"  When asked what, he continued, "Look at all the people in here, they are into Duke Football."  He went on to say he'd never seen it like that before and coming from someone who cut his teeth on ACC football that's saying a lot.

All season long, Duke fans have come together and that's a testament to Cut's dedication to turn this long dormant program around.  Shortly after the opening victory over James Madison, I ventured to Cookout for a quick bite after the game,  The simple fact that I was wearing Duke colors prompted two band members (pictured with thumbs up) to strike up a conversation in the line about Duke Football.

People who know that I run a Duke related web site come up and say things like, "Wow, Duke is for real" or "Cutcliffe really knows what he is doing,"   The best might have been, "Man, I can't believe it!  Duke really has a football team." The thing is that most of these comments came from fans of another school, the same ones who were making fun of the program at the start of the season thinking it was the same old Duke.

No matter where I go or what I do, it seems the repercussions of a few wins are prevalent in the community.  The mere fact that I could give ten to fifteen more examples as those above says a lot, but the ultimate statement would be to show our support to Cut's kids by making the fire marshall come to Wade for tomorrows game.

This team has put in a lot of hard work as has the staff.  There is no reason why any fan within four hours wouldn't want to venture to Wally World to immerse themselves in a great college football atmosphere.

There is nothing like the contrasting colors or red and royal blue when Duke and N.C. State get together.  Add to that Autumn backdrop on a slightly crisp November afternoon and well, it doesn't get much better than this.

We have two more chances to see the 2008-09 Duke Blue Devils football team and super senior leaders like Michael Tauliliili.  That said, join me this weekend, cheer hard and wear your Duke Blue proudly for it is the "Dawn of a New Day."[/private]

Duke Basketball

Gerald Henderson Interview – New look, new responsibilities, new season

[private]Gerald Henderson enters his junior year as one of the team's co-captains and he seems ready to do whatever it takes to lead the Blue Devils to a successful season.  Henderson is coming off surgery and is coming along as scheduled.  Those close to the program are looking for "G" to take it to another level this season. 

So, is the shaved head a new look for this season?

It was just a summer look, but if we start winning, I might stay with it.

There are those close to the program expecting you to have a breakout season ...

In between my freshman and sophomore year I worked on a lot of things the coaches wanted me to be better at.  It was a big summer for me.  I did the same thing this summer as well.  I dealt with the surgery through half the summer, but when I got back I was able to work on a lot of things to get better for this season.  Even with the hand injury I was able to run, so I worked on my conditioning.

So, what was the injury to your hand?

I had a torn ligament here (showing the scar from surgery), I'm not to sure what it's called.  It was something I could play with last season, but I needed to get it fixed in the off season.  It took about three and a half months and it got to a point where I couldn't play with it after surgery.  I still rehab two or three times a week to build the strength.

How did the injury occur?

It was the first Carolina game.  It was on an out of bounds play.  I forget who I was pushing against, but it just went back and I felt a really sharp pain.

You seemed to be fine towards the end of the season, willing your team to a win over an upset minded Belmont team ...

It took me a while to figure things out.  I had to learn to shoot a different way.  There were some games there where I played kind of bad.  After a while, with a brace and ended up shooting pretty well.

Why do you feel the team hit the so called "wall" against West Virginia?

It's hard to even think about now.

This team hasn't enjoyed the traditional high standards of Duke success in the NCAA's.  Do you have any thoughts on that?

I think my freshman year, we were really inconsistent.  We had a 22-11 record which isn't awful, but it wasn't up to our standards.  We had so many ups and downs that there wasn't a guaranteed win for us.  Last year, our loss in the second round was disappointing because we felt we could have gone further.  A lot of things went into that game ... it was real disappointing.  We are a different team now and we act like that.

In your opinion, what is this season's team looking like?

Nolan and Elliot have worked hard and I really feel like they will help us.  When it comes down to it, we have a lot of guys that can play and that's how you get time on the court.  If you are productive when you're out there, all takes care of itself.

As a captain, what advice can you give to the freshman class?

If you want to play you've got to make something happen.  My freshman year, I had some good games, but I really didn't make anything happen for the team when I was in there.  You have to influence the game.  That's what Coach wants and needs, so if you can do that you are going to play.

What do you bring to the table as a captain?

As a captain I think I bring more leadership by what I do and action.  Greg is more of a vocal leader and Jon Scheyer has come a long ways and taken the role.

Are you ready to get the season rolling?

Oh yeah.  I've been ready ... we've been ready since last season ended.[/private]

Duke Basketball

Duke rolls to easy 95-42 win over Lenoir-Rhyne

[private]Duke cruised to a 95-42 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne in their last exhibition game before the season starts this coming Monday.  Kyle Singler dropped 22 points on 9 of 11 shooting from the field.  Singler also grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 3 assists to lead the Blue Devils. 

He was helped by Nolan Smith who tallied 14 points on 7 of 10 shooting.  Brian Zoubek joined in the field goal accuracy party as well, going 6 of 8 from the field, totaling 15 points to go with 8 rebounds.

Duke started slowly, but manhandled Lenoir-Rhyne the rest of the way.  Thirteen Blue Devils saw action in the lopsided win. 

Duke will take to the court for real against Presbyterian at 7:00 in Cameron on Monday.  This is the opening round of the 2K Sports Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches for Cancer.  Duke will then turn around and play the winner of the Georgia Southern-Houston game on Tuesday.  Both games will be televised on ESPNU.

Should Duke win out, they will participate in the semifinals on 11-20 in Madison Square Garden.[/private]