Kyle Singler interview – he talks of the ACC opener vs Virginia Tech

[private]Going into the ACC season what are the coaches saying?

Keep on playing hard.  It will be ACC caliber play or whatever you want to call it - we' just have to keep playing hard and can't take days off.

Singler and Duke are preparing for the always pesky Hokies
Singler and Duke are preparing for the always pesky Hokies

Do you feel any different going into ACC play with a year under your belt?

A little bit, but not much.  You just have to meet expectations and keep on doing what you are doing.

The inside play seems better this season -

I think it is just guys have been in this offensive system a little bit longer and we are more comfortable. I think Brian has given us a big lift.  He was injured last season or most of it.  He's healthy this year and he brings a little bit of height to us and he just gives us a different look which is good.

Talk about the play of Nolan Smith and how he is doing since his injury on Wednesday.

I think Nolan has been playing really well.  Nolan had a good practice today.  He practiced the whole time.  You wouldn't know he got injured aside from the knee pads he is wearing.  He went right back at it.

On a new offensive coaching philosophy -

I think we are just running a little more motion.  I think it just brings a different aspect to the way we play the game.  A lot of guys on our team know how to play basketball and with this motion offense it allows us to make reads.

You didn't do that as a team last year?

We really didn't.  We mostly ran set last year and set some picks and used more ball screens.  This year we are using more ball screens but it's in the motion offense which making reads passing and cutting more is good.

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