Duke Football Coach David Cutcliffe talks about spring football and the strengths and weaknesses from what he saw. Cutcliffe goes into the battle for the quarterback position and names Sean Renfree as the starter. Hear Cutcliffe discuss the latest with Duke Football. [private]
Just press play -
(courtesy ACC)
Next up - football recruiting [/private]
One of the most coveted players in the class of 2011 is Austin Rivers, the son of Glenn "Doc" Rivers who coaches the NBA's Boston Celtics.
Rivers is an outstanding talent and he fits the Duke system in the way he plays. He mentions that Duke gives its guards free rein in our interview and Krzyzewski covets the current Florida native as does Florida and, now, North Carolina.
Duke has had great success with players who have NBA lineage.
Duke and North Carolina are now in the picture, but will you allow more teams in now that you have reopened your recruitment?
Right now, that's the only two teams I'm kind of interested in.
How did UNC first get involved?
Roy Williams called me and we talked for about an hour, so I said why not, that place is historic so I decided to look at them and maybe go and visit.
When did that happen?
Four weeks ago. I don't want to recruit you because you're committed to Florida, but if I was to reopen it he would like to come in.
Did Duke contact you?
I contacted them [private] a while back when I was thinking about other schools after making a real early decision to go to Florida.
But no talk of visiting them until recently.
It would make things easier and less awkward to reopen my recruitment before visiting other schools.
When will you make a decision on where you'll play collegiate basketball?
Before the high school season. It will not be late like some of the other guys out there.
What do you like about Duke and UNC?
I love that they let their guards go man. I just like the way both Duke and UNC go up and down. At Duke, Nolan is point guard, Scheyer is the point guard, and they're both shooting guards as well.
Did you follow Duke on the road to the championship?
The whole way. I called him a couple of times to congratulate him and told him to keep it going. I really felt like they could win with their senior leadership and they get so much out of their big men. With all the offensive rebounds it opened it up for the guard. I picked Duke to go all the way in my bracket, I did.
What did Coach Williams have to say to you?
I talked with him about thirty minutes recently. I have only talked to him once but he came down to my school, I could not talk to him there. He is the only coach that talked to me from them.
What are you looking for in a coach?
It's real important because it is a trust factor. W hen you have a relationship with a college coach and he has your back, well, that' s what I'm looking for. I am looking for him to do whatever he can to get me to the next level and that will be the school that I need to go to. Just talking to Coach K and Roy Williams and Billy Donovan, all three of those coaches can do that.
You have a long relationship with Coach Donovan at Florida. How is your relationship with Coach K?
It's developed a lot. He' really quiet and the first conversation was kind of awkward like it is with anyone but we've come a long way. I have a good relationship with him. He' a really good guy, I talk to him about Scheyer and what they do up there and life beyond basketball, so I have a really good relationship with him and Coach Donovan too.
Are you close with the UF players?
Kenny and I grew up playing against each other. Chandler Parson lives a couple of blocks from me. I am really close with a few of them. [He also mentioned the fact that one friend at Florida transferred]
Do you talk with any Duke players?
I lost their numbers. I have a new phone and will have to talk to Coach K about that.
What do you think of Coach K's involvement with team USA?
I think it's just cool man. It's just how good of a coach he is. This year's team was not really the favorite and it just shows how good of a coach he is in how he developed Scheyer and Nolan, they're really underrated as far as playing in the NBA. I think they proved themelves.
You know have a target on your back. Is it tough to perform with everyone trying to make a name for themselves against you?
No. It comes as a responsibility of being a great player. The other kids want to do what it takes to be in the top player position or they are willing to do whatever it takes and you have to be ready to do the same.
I understand you may be visiting Duke soon, perhaps for their championship banquet?
[smiling] Yeah, maybe. We'll see if it works out. [continuing to smile]
Well, it did, and Rivers will attend the banquet on Thursday. As we have said on the message board, we kept this under wraps despite knowing. Rivers told me shortly after our conversation that he planned on attending provided nothing came up. It is worth noting that Rivers contacted Duke while UNC and Roy Williams contacted Rivers. UNC, knowing Rivers will be in town, will now try to get him to come by their campus as well. I think you guys are smart enough to read between the lines as to why Duke and BDN kept this under wraps. [/private]
DURHAM - Duke Basketball got some great news early last evening when Kyle Singler announced that he would continue to play basketball in Durham this coming season. Singler averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and a steal during his junior season and that helped pave the way for Duke to win the national title while sporting a 35-5 record.
During today's press conference, Singler was wide eyed and bushy tailed, meaning he was beaming with happiness about returning to the Gothic Wonderland for his senior campaign. Singler sat beside Coach Krzyzewski who was wearing his new championship ring and there was a sense that all things are right in the Blue Devil Nation.
The sounds of camera flashes flushed through the air of the media room as Singler began to explain his decision.
"I feel really good about my decision and with having two good choices I couldn't lose, which meant less pressure to make a choice," said Singler.
"We're still basking in the glow of winning the national championship," said Singler who was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four. Despite this being his day in the limelight, he was definitely thinking of his beloved teammates.
"I wanted to base my season on whether I wanted to be in school and I enjoy playing at Duke, so I didn't base my decision on whether there would be a lockout or not," said Singler addressing the questions of why and how he came about his choice.
Some media members didn't seem able to wrap their mind around that fact Singler would return, which bred questions about past comments concerning his desire to play in the NBA. "It was his dream to come to Duke and he is finishing one dream before he starts another and he wants to maximize the dream," said Krzyzewski who continued "He's an amazing guy to coach, he's got a great heart and is a warrior. Through leadership, I think he can bring that out in others on the team."
Singler's return guarantees that his name will go down as one of the great four year players at Duke and we'll simply have to wait and see if his number hangs in the rafters of hallowed Cameron Indoor Stadium. In order for that to happen Singler must win a player of the year award if past criteria applies, and Krzyzewski wasted little time in throwing his name out for one of the trophies.
"Kyle will captain our defense, he has a great understanding and was one of the best defensive players in the country this year," said Krzyzewski.
Singler's decision came after he analyzed all facets of his situation and Krzyzewski said he talked with GM's, Coaches and about half the league to get accurate information.
The junior All American's draft stock rose as the season progressed, but fans of college basketball underestimated just how much Singler enjoyed campus life. His decision was made over the weekend as we hinted would happen to members of BDN Premium.
When asked what he thought he could improve upon, Singler stated, "I think one thing I do want to improve on is my leadership. Being a senior and coming back with Nolan Smith and some other guys, my leadership will grow and that will help me as a player."
In the end Singler just wanted to play for Duke and his experiences this season certainly helped him make, in the end, what seemed to be an easy decision. "I just had a great time playing this season and being around guys who enjoyed getting better. Just being around that team made me better."
But, to close, we defer to the reasons he told Krzyzewski he was staying in the fold for his senior year. Kyle told me, "I love Duke, the players, the people, everything about Duke, " said Krzyzewski.
The bottom line is that Singler wants to experience his senior season. He doesn't want to miss out on being a leader and seeing if he can once again propel Duke to the top of the college basketball world.
We will be bringing you audio from Kyle Singler's press conference shortly, where he will join Mike Krzyzewski to give the media their comments on the star players return. We also have an Austin Rivers interview on the way and more, so check back with the Blue Devil Nation around 11:00.
DURHAM, N.C. - Junior Kyle Singler announced on Monday his decision to remain at Duke University for his senior season in 2010-11. Singler, the 2010 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, has averaged 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game during his first three seasons as a Blue Devil.
"I love being here at Duke and am excited about next year," said Singler. "I had two great options in front of me, but I did not want to miss out on all of the great things to come in a senior season."
Singler, a two-time AP honorable mention All-America, averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a junior while leading Duke to a 35-5 record and the school's fourth NCAA Championship. He had 17 games with 20 or more points this past season while posting seven double-doubles. Singler, a first team All-ACC selection, became one of 18 players in school history to score over 700 points in a single season, finishing with 707 points in 2010.
"I am looking forward to coaching Kyle in his senior year and seeing him develop more as a player and as a leader," said head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
If you failed to see or missed the ratings, the Duke-Butler National Championship game was a huge hit for CBS. It's been a decade since any game has garnered the ratings of this seasons title game, yet we are to think all of the folks who tuned in are Duke haters?
The answer to the above question is of course not. Much of the Duke hate spin has come from media types. Even after the Blue Devils won the title, local and national media types were still making excuses and or trying to explain with flawed reasoning why and or how Duke won it all. Do you think other schools would have faced such scrutiny?
Much of the national media has grabbed onto falsehoods past concerning the men's basketball program. As time passes some fans fall prey to this supposed hate train but, in reality, many fans around the country like Duke just fine. Heck, even Sports Illustrated did some research on the issue in their commemorative magazine. No matter who you were media wise, had you followed this team, you would have seen no sign of bad attitudes, pompous arrogance, entitlement or, well, the list is long as you well know. In short, this team was more than a little likable.
Speaking of the Sports Illustrated Commemorative, it is well worth the time to buy it and read it. I'm not quite as fond of the USA Today offering
Yes, you could still hear some media .types whining after the game and I am talking about the national media room at Lucas Oil Arena. Objectivity was is short order in some circles but that is to be expected. One of those who constantly offers their opinion is a local radio host who ate enough crow this season to write a book on the subject of sticking ones foot in their mouth. Has this person mellowed? A little, but it is still painful to listen to one local loud mouth spout off opinions without an ounce of thought.
Everybody wants to know what Kyle Singler will do and I can't tell you, for it looks like it is too close to call. I can tell you that his answer could come before the ink dries on this article. Should the Blue Devils lose Singler, they will have lost four starters and that will be a rebuilding job despite the talent on hand. If he returns, Duke could well earn the nation's top spot going into the season. So yes, it is a big deal.
The Duke Men's Basketball Banquet on Thursday offers fans one last chance to say goodbye to Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek. Trust me, it will be one heck of a show. Let's hope the aforementioned Singler doesn't join the beloved departing senior class.
I doubt you'll see the men's basketball program appear on the television show Myth Busters. But let's just scratch the surface for a moment if you will on what the episode would look like. Duke plays their starters too much for an NCAA Tournament run. Well, Duke rode the legs of their famished players to grab the Sears Cup. Coach K stretched himself thin with Team USA and it has hurt Duke. Uh, tell that to the recruits coming in. Hey, Coach K! Please stretch yourself thinner than ever this season. Duke is too white, right? Where did this one come from? Duke is bringing in four athletes of color next season and just about everybody on the radar is of color, but look, Duke recruits kids not color. Duke can't develop big men. Well, Wojo should be standing atop a chair waving about a towel that would make Crazy Towel Guy envious. Me thinks that Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and the brothers Plumlee were collectively the bruise brothers. We could go on, but what's the use? Media hate for Duke is alive and well despite a team of extreme character players who epitomized togetherness.
Recruiting? It's that time of year around here. We will continue to cover the AAU and other tournaments this season. Andrew Slater and myself will be joined on occasion by some interns to bring you the best coverage available for our growing list of members. Patrick Cacchio and I will kick off our football recruiting coverage this week as well. The bottom line is that being a member of Blue Devil Nation Premium is to be a part of all the latest happenings often before they happen. Want to know who the next prospect to sign will be? Do you want coverage that set the bar last season? Would you like to participate in the most rational Duke related members-only message board on the web? Try us out, for we are certain that once you have, you'll be with us for a long time. At $100.00 per year, it's like having a daily Duke fix for about a quarter a day. And our members will be the first to tell you that this is the place to be for premium coverage.
Lastly, I would like to thank not only our members, but our followers for making the Blue Devil Nation such an awesome site. We loved tweeting from every game in Cameron as well as from the NCAA Tournament. We were there every step of the way in a magical season, for that is what we are about. We are hands on at BDN, wanting to be your eyes and we know what you want to see. We look forward to serving the Blue Devil Nation for a long time and we are constantly trying to make this site better.
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