Monthly Archives: December 2008

Duke Women's Basketball

Duke Women shut down Michigan 60-45

[private]CAMERON INDOOR STADIUM -The Duke Women's Basketball used a suffocating defense to defeat Michigan 60-45 which pushed their record to 6-1.  The Blue Devils held the Wolverines to just 29% shooting from the field where they completely controlled the paint.  In fact, Duke outrebounded their opponent 46-22.

“This was obviously a great game for us to get better. I really appreciated the way the team came out in the second half in particular and really found each other. They took apart the defense and did a really sharp job there. I like the balanced scoring, everyone was active in attacking, and to out-rebound them by 24 was significant. We have not been dominating on the boards. It’s important for us to be dominating, to create that habit. We’re still working on getting to the free throw line and playing more physically. No, I don’t like the turnover number, but I understand the issues at hand right now and we’ll move forward and learn from those things. I thought that there was great leadership on the floor at all different points, whether it was Abby [Waner] leading and having to play a whole lot of minutes out there, or Carrem Gay who did some great things, really leading us defensively.  We had solid senior leadership in this game," stated Coach McCallie.

Duke was led in scoring by Chante Black with 13 points and had by four total players in double figures.  Black also had 6 blocks moving her to seventh place on the All Time ACC list.

“I watched film after games and I saw that there are times when I can be a little more aggressive calling for the ball. I just tried to be a little more active this game and try and get the defense to make mistakes. And my teammates did a good job looking for me and seeing that I was open," stated Gay when questioned about her being aggressive on the offensive end.

Joy Cheek and Abby Waner were the other two Dukies in double figure scoring with 12 and 11 points respectively.  Cheek had back to back three pointers in the contest while Waner tallied three total treys.

Speaking of treys, Michigan had trouble finding anything inside against the Duke defense.  A total of 30 of their 45 points came from beyond the three point stripe.

In somewhat of a statistical anomaly, Michigan made 20 steals, many due to a Duke season high 30 turnovers.

With PG's Jasmine Thomas and Chelsea Hopkins out, you could sense a need for consistency in play making.

Keturah Jackson ran the point and had four assists, but she missed the last ten minutes with a hip pointer.  While she is expected back for the Stanford game, the early season injuries on Blue Devil guards have been brutal.

The Blue Devils will now concentrate on the classroom during their exam break before facing their most formidable challenge of the young season in a home game against Stanford.   Their are still some seats available and the contest tips off on December 16th at 7:30 and will be televised by ESPN.[/private]

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

High School Hoops Edition No. 3

[private]Harrison Barnes and the Ames High School Little Cyclones have their sights set on the State Tournament this year. They took the first step in their journey with a 66 - 34 defeat of Urbandale. Barnes scored 16 points in the game including nine in the first quarter as the Little Cyclones opened up the game with an 18 - 2 run. The Des Moines Register has very nice Harrison Barnes overview and picture gallery posted.

Barnes scored a game high 19 points on Friday night as Ames improved to 2 – 0 with a 61 - 31 victory over Roosevelt.

Brandon Knight is filling up the box score for Pine Crest on a routine basis. This past week he scored 29 and 43 points in two Panther victories. His 43 points in a 70 – 67 win over Choice Academy included seven three point shots, while he sank four three pointers and dished out seven assists in his 29 point performance in the 66 – 29 win over Coral Springs Charter.

Andre Dawkins scored 28 points as Atlantic Shores defeated Cox 93 – 68 in the opening round of the ASCS Tip-off on Thursday evening. He followed up with a 23 point performance on Friday as Atlantic Shores defeated Tallwood 69 - 66.

Ryan Kelly continues to put up extraordinary numbers. On Wednesday, he had a triple-double of 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots in a 76 – 64 defeat of Riverside. On Friday night, Kelly scored 19 points in a 59 – 42 win at Providence Day. Ravenscroft is now 5 – 0 for the season.

Mason Plumlee scored 21 points to pace Christ School to an easy 77-45 victory over Spartanburg Day School. Plumlee made two three point shots in the contest. Mason’s younger brother, Marshall, contributed 10 points and three blocked shots. On Friday night, Plumlee scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and blocked eight shots in a 79 – 54 road win at Forsyth Country Day. The Greenies desire to go 38 – 0 and win a state championship this season. Christ School will match up against Ravenscroft on December 20, 2008, in Columbia, S.C.

The Washington Post has an enjoyable Tyler Thornton video posted. Gonzaga College High School has opened their season with a pair of wins. On Thursday night, Thornton scored 11 points in a 79 – 44 win over St. Albans. In their season opener, Thornton scored six points in a 69 – 40 decision over Sidwell Friends. Unfortunately, the box scores do not include assists as Thornton is a pass first point guard and his assists to turnover ratio is the key statistic for Duke Basketball fans.

Finally, Josh Smith and Kentwood High School played their first game of the season on Friday night.  Smith scored 32 points in the 68 - 47 victory over Kent-Meridian.  The Seattle Times ranks Kentwood as the number five team in the state.[/private]

Duke Basketball

Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins talks Duke Basketball

Singler and Scheyer were really good against Purdue ...

I think they were quietly looking forward to seeing how they stacked up with Hummel and Moore.  Both of those kids are very confident players with what they can do and they're unbelievable competitors - they fight for everything.

Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins instructs freshman Mile Plumlee in practice.
Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins instructs freshman Mile Plumlee in practice.

We did actually.  When we recruited Kyle he was one of the best players in America.  He's now made another big jump and has become an elite player.  Jon has always had that warriors mentality.  Now that his body is catching up with his mind he's able to put it all together.  I've always thought he was an underrated player.  People who follow the game or coaches follow the game know what kind of value he has.

The team will have a big break after the Michigan game.  As a staff what will you focus on at that time?

During the exam break you have to keep your conditioning up.  You've got to try to keep getting better.  It gives you a little bit of a break to let your body rest.  We've had eight games early on which takes a big toll on your body.  We're going to continue to take the long view with this team.  It's a long season and we're a long ways from March.  We have to continue to do what we can to get better not only for the rest of the season, but for the ACC.

Elliot seems to be pushing it a bit ...

I think with both of our freshmen, Elliot and Miles, we think both of them are going to be outstanding players.  What you are seeing with them is that they are on a team that's loaded with great veteran leadership and players.  It kind of reminds me a little bit of the olden days when I was in school in the late eighties and early nineties you can in a learned contributing while getting better as the season went along trying to improve upon your role.  Both of those guys have great attitudes.  We have high hopes for both of them.  It's kind of just when it clicks.  They have great role models with the upper classmen on this team and their attitudes have been great.  We've just got to continue to stress to them it's a process.

Gerald has been struggling a little bit on the offensive end ...

I think with Gerald has been a little off.  When you are a good scorer and things aren't going as good for you, the best thing you can do is concentrate on other areas of the game.  He rebounded well against Purdue, got some steals and really put his stamp on the game.  If he can continue to do the things he did against Purdue, when his offense comes you are going to have a real dynamic player.

How is Greg coming along?

Greg's coming along well.  Nolan got in foul trouble against Purdue but Greg came in and did well.  That's the great thing about having two capable point guards.  He ran our team and made a big basket late in the game with a lay up.

You grew up loving the NBA and are a hoops aficionado probably watching every game that's on the air when at home ... do you find time for other things?

I am probably going to get kicked out of the house by my wife and kids.  I have such a passion for basketball.  My earliest memories as a kid were going into the locker rooms after games and being around it and watching it ...  I've been a junkie my whole life.  Now, being able to play with my son, go out in the yard with him and shoot around is great.

You will get interviews such as this by subscribing to Blue Devil Nation Premium.  Why not join so you can read comprehensive one of a kind coverage of Duke Athletics.  If you want to know what goes on behind the scenes or love recruiting, now is the time to join.  Give the gift of information this Christmas and make that special Duke fan very happy.

Duke Basketball

Duke at Michigan Men’s Basketball Notes

[private]

•  Game 9  •

[4 AP/4 Coaches] Duke (8-0) vs. Michigan (5-2)

Saturday, December 6, 2008  •  3:30 PM ET  •  ESPN

Crisler Arena (13,751)  •  Ann Arbor, Mich.

Game Quick Facts

TV: ESPN; Dave O'Brien (play-by-play), Jay Bilas (analyst).

Radio: Duke Radio Network (flagship WDNC 620 AM in Durham); Bob Harris (play-by-play), John Roth (analyst) and Matthew Laurance (sideline).

All-time Series: Duke leads the all-time series 19-7, with a 13-4 mark under Coach K. The Blue Devils have won seven straight in the series, including a 71-56 win over the Wolverines in the championship game of the 2008 2K Sports Classic earlier this season.

Coaches:

Mike Krzyzewski

Overall Record: 811-267 (34th year)

Duke Record: 738-208 (29th year)

vs. Michigan: 13-4

John Beilein

Overall Record: 491-299 (27th year)

Michigan Record: 15-24 (second year)

vs. Duke: 0-3

Blue Devil Bits

l Duke is 8-0 on the year, marking the 20th time in school history and 15th time under Mike Krzyzewski it has opened the season with eight straight wins. The Blue Devils have started the season with at least eight straight wins in four of the last five years.

l The Blue Devils are ranked fourth in the AP poll and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll.

l Duke has been ranked in the top five of the AP poll 296 times in school history. The Blue Devils are 485-91 (.842) all-time when ranked in the top five.

l Duke is coming off an impressive 76-60  win at ninth-ranked Purdue on Tuesday. The Blue Devils improved to 10-0 all-time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge with the win as the ACC won the challenge (6-4) for the 10th consecutive year.

l Kyle Singler posted his second double-double of the year with 20 points and 12 rebounds against Purdue.

l Junior Jon Scheyer knocked down three three-pointers and went 9-of-10 from the foul line in a 20-point effort against the Boilermakers.

l Duke topped Michigan, 71-56, in the championship game of the 2008 2K Sports Classic on Nov. 21. Sophomore Nolan Smith led the Blue Devils with 16 points, while Kyle Singler (15) and Gerald Henderson (12) also scored in double figures.

Numbers Game

l Duke and Michigan are playing for the second time in 16 days. The two teams also met on Nov. 21 in the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic. The Blue Devils have played a non-conference opponent twice in one season three times (joining Michigan State in 2004-05 and Temple in 2000-01).

l Duke is 13-4 all-time on Dec. 6, including a 93-72 win over Michigan in 1967. The Blue Devils have won four straight and are 6-2 on the date under Coach K.

l Duke is 62-23 all-time against teams currently in the Big Ten. The Blue Devils have won seven straight contests against Big Ten opponents (last loss was 78-68 versus Michigan State on March 25, 2005), including wins over Michigan (Nov. 21) and Purdue (Dec. 2) this season.

l Duke is 153-24 all-time in the month of December under Coach K. The Blue Devils are 45-2 in the month since 1999-2000, the only losses coming to No. 3 Stanford (84-83) on Dec. 21, 2000 and No. 11 Pittsburgh in overtime (65-64) on Dec. 20, 2007.

l Duke is 269-52 this decade, more wins than any other team in the NCAA. The win total is tied for the eighth-most in any decade by a team in NCAA history.

l Kyle Singler leads the Blue Devils in scoring (17.1 ppg.), rebounding (7.5 rpg.) and assists (23). Danny Ferry was the last Blue Devil to lead the team in all three categories during the 1986-87 season.

l Senior Greg Paulus is five points shy of passing Jay Bilas and moving into 49th in the Duke scoring charts. Paulus currently has 1,057 career points in 110 games.

l Sophomore Nolan Smith is averaging 16.5 points in two career games against Michigan. He is 13-of-17 (.765) from the field in his two games against the Wolverines. Smith scored a team-high 16 points in Duke’s 71-56 win over Michigan on Nov. 21.

l Duke is second in the ACC in free throw percentage at .744 (180-of-242). Nolan Smith is second in the league with a .909 (20-of-22) free throw percentage, while Jon Scheyer is fifth at .860 (37-of-43).

l The Blue Devils are shooting .555 (166-of-299) from inside the three-point arc this season. Duke is shooting .471 (217-of-461) from the field overall and .329 (48-of-146) from three-point distance.

l Duke outrebounded Purdue, 49-29, on Tuesday for its second game with at least a +20 rebound margin this season. The Blue Devils have outrebounded six of the first eight opponents.

l The Blue Devils are 185-95 in true road games under Mike Krzyzewski. Duke has posted a winning road record in five straight season and it 11 of the past 12 years. Since 1996-97, Duke has recorded a 90-30 mark on the road.

l Junior Jon Scheyer is tied for seventh in the ACC with 2.1 steals per game. He has recorded two or more steals in six times this season.

l Junior Brian Zoubek is 15-of-24 (.625) from the field over the last six games. He is averaging 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during that stretch.

l Following the Michigan game, Duke will have 10 days before its next contest on Dec. 17 against UNC Asheville.[/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball

Singler talks basketball with the Blue Devil Nation

It seems as if everyone gets pumped for Duke -

You know, we want everybody's best shot because that's what it comes down to in March.  That's when you will be playing good teams and not on your home court.  You are looking for situations which take you out of your comfort zone and we'll have some of those type of games along the way.

[private] Did you get extra pumped up going against Hummel and Purdue the other evening?

Not necessarily.  We knew it was going to be a tough game, but personally for me it was just a big game for our team.  Any time there are two good teams going at it, you're going to get excited.

Did you enjoy the atmosphere?

It was exciting for us playing against other teams where people are camping out for games reminds us a little bit of our place.  It was a good atmosphere.  We always want to play in a good atmosphere.  As long as we are playing good and having fun - that's what it's all about.

Your role seems to have changed this season.  Is it easier having Zoubek and others contribute?

I wouldn't say my role has changed, but would say I'm just playing.  From last year to this year, that's just the main focus is that I'm just being myself out there.

The team rebounded well against Purdue and better overall this season ...

We just go after the ball.  We go after the ball with two hands.  We don't have any one player who is really dominant on  the boards so we just try to rebound as a team really well.  We know we have to focus on rebounding.  I think we are getting there so we just have to focus on defense and rebounding.

Duke seems to be a different team this season ...

I think the major difference is that we are just older as a team - more mature.  We have guys with more experience and I think that goes a long ways.  Getting older makes you a little tougher going after the ball. [/private]

Duke Women's Basketball

Duke Women go to 5-1 with an easy 71-47 win over Iowa

[private]Durham, N.C. Duke found it's shooting touch in the second half and rode a solid defensive effort to defeat Iowa 71-47 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.   The Blue Devils were led in scoring by Chante Black who tallied 18 points to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Black was honored before the game for becoming the 24th player in Duke history to score 1000 points or better in her career.  She has now tallied double figures in each of her first six contests and has now done so 56 times.

Joy Cheek was the only other Devil in double figures with 13 points.  Abby Waner had a tough shooting night but did manage 7 assists and 5 steals to go with her 8 points.  Duke was playing without the injured players Chelsea Hopkins and Jasmine Thomas.

Hopkins had surgery on her left knee and is expected back in four weeks or less.  Thomas has a sprained left MCL and is out for around three weeks.

Duke once again had a solid defensive effort holding the Hawkeyes to 29.4% shooting for the evening.  They also caused 24 turnovers while committing just 8.

"It was a really good game for us.  A great defensive game, a lot of people doing different things, an interesting game," said Coach McCallie.  She continued, I love the fact where we had 26 turnovers which we caused."

Duke blanket the visitors with a variety of presses which took them out of the game by the ten minute mark.

"I think their defense was a factor, especially when you get down double digits.  I think thats when you have to have the energy level and depth to come back.  It's obvious that they have good depth," stated Iowa Coach Lisa Blunder.

Duke opened 0-13 from the floor and didn't score until the 15:23 mark in the first half.

"I just think they played through it.  That was incredible intensity.  The part you have to add is that Iowa could not get their shot off.  I thought our team took care of it, especially in the second half when things were more up to speed," stated McCallie.

Duke outscored the Hawkeyes by a whopping 48-14 margin in the paint but despite that stat, they were oddly  rebounded 44-39.

The Dukies play another Big Ten team in Michigan at 2:00 on Sunday afternooin Cameron with courtside seats available.[/private]