BDN Fast Break – Miles Plumlee talks of his performance against Findlay

Miles goes up against Mason in a recent practice
Miles goes up against Mason in a recent practice

Miles Plumlee fell just short of a double-double last evening, but he still played a key role in Duke's easy exhibition win over Findlay.  Today, BDN introduces "Fast Break," which is a basketball version of our "Quick Hitter's," in football.  The aforementioned are brief audio clips lasting no longer than four minutes.

Just press play -

Duke finishes up the exhibition season with a 84-48 win over Findlay

Photo courtesy Duke SID
Photo courtesy Duke SID

Durham, N.C. - The Duke Blue Devils wound up their exhibition season with a 84-48 win over the defending Division-II National Champions, the Findlay Oilers.

The Blue Devils started the game without Nolan Smith who sat for the first half after a release stated that he'll miss the first two games of the regular season from performing in two unsanctioned summer league.  His absence effected the Blue Devils chemistry early on as they took a 36-23 lead into the half.

The second half was a different story as Duke rolled out to a 60-27 lead less than eight minutes into the contest.  The Blue Devils were spread out for the entire game by the Oilers offensive attack and playing against a team like this will certainly help once Duke starts the regular season.

Duke took advantage of their height in blocking 12 shots and they held a 21 rebound edge and 42 points in the paint in the final stats.  The Duke defense also forced 20 turnovers but committed 19 of their own.

The most effective player on the court was Kyle Singler, who was recently named to the Associated Press All American team.  Singler went 8 of 12 from the field translating into 20 points to go with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

"Team wise, we could have played better.  Findlay is a good team, especially for their division," said Singler after the game.

Jon Scheyer warmed up in the second half 11 of his 19 points, but had just 1 assist.  Scheyer ran the point against constant pressure for most of the game.

"It was about a B-.  We had some good moments, but we have a lot of things to work on.  It was a decent job overall," said Scheyer when asked of his teams performance.

Lance Thomas brought energy to the court where he was 3 of 3 from the field finishing with 8 points and 9 rebounds.  His teammate Brian Zoubek also garnered 9 rebounds.

Miles Plumlee joined the rebounding party as well with a team high of ten to go with his 9 points.

BDN will have up more player comments shortly as well as comments from Krzyzewski.  Duke will next face UNC-G in their opening game of the 2009-10 season on November 13th.

Tyler Thornton is set to sign with Duke

D.C. Connection - Nate James poses with Tyler Thornton during Countdown to Craziness - copyright BDN Photo
D.C. Connection - Nate James poses with Tyler Thornton during Countdown to Craziness - copyright BDN Photo

Internet rumors are a dime a dozen these days in that all it takes is one inaccuracy to snowball into, well, a big mess.  BDN's tag line is that we deal in facts not rumors, but that doesn't keep them away from our members board.  Yesterday was no different in that another one was born, this time Tyler Thornton was supposedly going to back out of his verbal to Duke.  We told you then it wasn't true, but decided that hearing it from the horses mouth will calm down the minions who fall hook line and sinker for things anonymous posters blurt out on a regular basis.

So, if you are looking for the skinny, Tyler's comment on this was "Naw [laughing], that's just a rumor."  But if you want more including Tyler's thoughts on his official visit, Countdown to Craziness and Nolan Smith's antics you will need to become a premium subscriber.

I have seen Tyler play about 12 times in AAU ball and he is a consummate team player who makes few mental errors.  He's tough enough to play down low on a zone and he talks of his workouts and improvements in the interview.

The soon to be signed Duke commitment spoke of many other things as well, previewing Duke's 09-10 chances, Harrison Barnes, Kyrie Irving and well, see for yourself -

Your high school season is about to kick off at Gonzaga.  Can you tell me what you have been working on?

I've been putting up a lot of shots and extending my range, a lot of ball handling drills to make sure my handle is safe.  We've been doing open gyms and lifting weights.  Open gyms have been good to incorporate what I've worked on with my shot, so it's a good time to practice with that.  We're getting our chemistry down with the younger guys on the team to get ready for the season, so it's been great. [private]

How many guys do you have returning?

We have three starters returning.

Tyler Thornton drives past James McAdoo during an AAU match up - copyright BDN Photo
Tyler Thornton drives past James McAdoo during an AAU match up - copyright BDN Photo

Have the coaches discussed your role for the coming season?

We haven't sat down yet, the coaches and myself, but we played summer league and I know I have to step up and score more this season.  I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Now, you play in a really tough conference ...

The WCAC.

Can you talk about some of the teams you'll face this year?

We play Kendall Marshall and Bishop O'Connell and we have DeMatha who has a great team.  They've got a couple of high major guys on their squad and St. Johns also has a couple of high major guys.  That's who should be at the top and our league is always great.

Tyler, there was a rumor floating about that you were considering backing out of your Duke verbal.  You know how the Internet message boards get ...

Naw [laughing], that's a rumor.

Have schools continued recruiting you since your initial Duke verbal commitment?

I mean my coaches told me a lot of schools contacted him after Kyrie's commitment but he never told me the specific schools.  Also, my father had some schools call him too, but h never told me who the schools were.  It was never a concern of mine.  I kind of already knew Kyrie [Irving]was going to commit and I'm looking forward to it.

What did you think of Nolan Smith and his Johnny Dawkins short, shorts act?

[Laughed]  He actually told me he was thinking about doing it before and like, I was thinking that would be crazy. I didn't actually think he was going to do it, getting the little shorts and all that.  Nolan ... he's just a funny character, he's crazy and a goofy guy, it was great.

Okay, you saw the Titanic bit so I have a question.  If you had been in school a year early like Andre Dawkins, would you have played his role in the skit?

Um, I mean, I don't know.  [laughing] I'm sure if they made me do it, I would have done it, but that wouldn't have been my scene of choice.

So, no painting of Nolan with just his ice for you?

Naw [continuing to laugh]

What were your over all thoughts on your official visit during Countdown to Craziness?

The official visit was great.  I have been down to visit more than ten times and it was definitely the best visit and when I had the most fun.  I just really got to hang with the guys before their season really got kicked off.  They had started practice a little bit before I got there, so they were kind of getting in the groove.  The best part was the inter squad scrimmage with two twelve minute halves to see how they progressed since the off season.

Back to Gonzaga for a second ... do you guys have any big national games scheduled?

I know we play Austin Rivers' team in Massachusetts during the Hall of Fame weekend.  Then we go to another invitational in Hawaii,  Josh [Hairston, 2010 verbal] and Montrosse will be there.  Some other nationally ranked schools are at the event as well.  Then we have our own Christmas tournament and Mater Dei [CA] will be there.

Wow!  That's quite a schedule beyond your league.  I imagine some games will make it to T.V.

I think we play DeMatha on national T.V.

Well, I can assure you that the Blue Devil Nation will be following you.  Back to the visit one second, Tyler.  You covered it pretty well, but said it was a good break as well ...

Other than like the festivities, just hanging out with the guys was a highlight.  In fact, it was a good time for me to take a break from my workout, because I had been going non stop at school.  So it was a good weekend for me to take a break.  Every time I go down there ... I really don't want to come back home, so ...

Duke is after a really big prospect in Harrison Barnes. Do you ever stay in touch with prospects?

I actually don't, but my mother stays in contact with his mom.

Do you feel like Duke has a pretty good chance at landing him?

I believe so and I hope so.

When will you be down again?

I haven't really talked with my parents on when I would be down.  My schedule is still in the works.  As of now, the game I know I will be able to make is the Carolina game because it's on a Saturday, late in our season.

Tyler, it's always a pleasure to speak with you.  Good luck in the coming season.

Thank you, no problem. [/private]

BDN Audio – Standout freshman wideout Conner Vernon opens up to the media

Duke freshman Conner Vernon is having a heck of rookie season
Duke freshman Conner Vernon is having a heck of rookie season

Durham, N.C. - It's not that often that a freshman can step on the football field and produce record numbers in their first season.  Conner Vernon is an exception.  Coming off another great performance against Virginia where he caught a key touchdown pass, Vernon addressed the media for the first time this season during Duke's weekly press conference.

Vernon leads the ACC in catches and is third in yards per game, but let's not forget that he is third in the league in touchdown receptions as well.  There is more - Conner is the second leading reciever in the NCAA among freshman in both receptions and yards per game.  Want more?  Vernon already has the most receptions of any Duke freshman in history, he's 16 yards away from passing Walter Jones [ex New England Patriot] and his 128 yard game versus Virginia Tech is the fourth most yards of any true freshman.

Vernon talked of how he ended up at Duke, the upcoming UNC game and handling expectations just an hour ago and you can hear his comments for yourself thanks to BDN Audio.  It's worth noting that Cutcliffe said he has never coached a freshman that put up these kind of numbers and said Vernon could well make some All ACC teams based on performance.  Enjoy the chat -

Kyle Singler named 1st Team All American

ksLuke Harangody should get used to being on top of lists.

The senior forward from Notre Dame was the leading vote-getter Monday on The Associated Press' preseason All-America team, and if he has the type of season he usually does, he will become the leader for his school and conference in scoring and rebounding.

The 6-foot-8 Harangody received 57 votes from the 65-member national media panel and was followed in the balloting by Kansas teammates Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins.

Aldrich, a 6-11 junior who recorded a triple-double in the NCAA tournament, received 49 votes, 10 more than Collins, a senior point guard.

Junior forwards Patrick Patterson of Kentucky, who had 35 votes, and Kyle Singler of Duke, who had 30, rounded out the team announced Monday.

Harangody averaged 23.3 points and 11.8 rebounds last season, the only player to rank in the top 10 nationally in both categories. He was a pres

Aldrich's stock rose all last season and it culminated with the first official triple-double in Kansas history when he had 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks in a second-round NCAA win over Dayton.

Collins didn't become a full-time starter until last season when he averaged 18.9 points and 5.0 assists in earning third-team All-American honors. He and Aldrich are the stars of a deep Kansas team picked No. 1 in the preseason Top 25.

Aldrich and Cole are the first teammates chosen to the preseason team since J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams of Duke in 2005-06.

The 6-9 Patterson averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Wildcats last season and he's expected to be more of an inside presence this season with the addition of freshman point guard John Wall to new coach John Calipari's offense.

Singler averaged 16.5 points and 7.7 rebounds last season for the Blue Devils but his role should change to more of a perimeter one this season.