Monthly Archives: September 2010

Duke Basketball, Duke Football

BDN’s Monday Musings – Bama hangover, the shadow of basketball

A Monday Musings tradition is the Cheerleader of the Week - Lance King, BDN

It's time for another edition of Monday Musings where I talk about whatever comes to mind with concerns to the Duke Athletic programs. 

Tide rolls in, Tide rolls on, Tide rolls out

When Alabama fans travel, they do so in force and when their fan base got wind that they could feel Wallace Wade Stadium the trip was considered a tourist event for many of their fans.  Waves of Crimson filled the Triangle area this past weekend where they boosted the local economy by six millions bucks.  In all honesty, it was closer to an Alabama home game than a Duke one for the crowd was 60-40 from my vantage.    It was mere seconds before one realized that Duke didn't stand a chance against a superior team.  Fans watched on as several athletic plays made one realize that this Bama team was just down right nasty good.  As the dust cleared from a 62-13 day and what seemed like the longest first quarter ever the Bama fans slowly packed up and headed back to the Deep South where they'll take on Arkansas in a dandy matchup.

In comes Army

It won't take long for Duke fans to miss the huge crowds from the Alabama game for there will be plenty of tickets available when Army rolls in.  And you know what?  They can run the ball and the Blue Devils have trouble stopping the run.  This has become a stressful situation for the football team for they so badly need this win and it adds a ton of pressure.  Despite Duke's early struggles they open as a 6.5 favorite.

Live and learn

One day down the road when Sean Renfree looks back on the Alabama game, he will realize the many lessons he learned.  Renfree rushed some passes on Saturday where film shows he could have held the ball a full two seconds or so more.  One must remember just how young Renfree is and that he is a tireless worker.  There is no doubt that he will be a really good quarterback as his career progresses.

Devils entertain recruits

We've already listed the names of several football prospects which visited campus this past weekend, but hoops was at work as well.  A key PG prospect Quinn Cook was on campus where he hung out with players, namely Nolan Smith.  Marshall Plumlee was seen towering over fans at the game as well and while I did not see Michael Gbinije, he was there.  There were a couple of more names as well which we will cover as the week goes on.

 

Coah K looking cool in his not so cheap sunglasses. You know, the song? Okay, nevermind. Coach K honored at the half.

Duke Baketball casts a huge shadow

No matter how ballyhooed the football game can be in Durham, basketball casts a huge shadow over athletics at all times.  Cameron Indoor Stadium saw about three thousand visiting fans at one time or another this past weekend and Coach K was honored at midfield at the half for winning another Gold for Team USA.  The excitement is already upon us and it should be for this years team will be the pre season number one ranked team in America.  Alabama fans who recognized Duke players were asking for their autographs as if they were celebrities and there were plenty of comments overheard.  FWIW, the pre season magazines are hitting the stands hard and Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith ad Kyrie Irving are all on the first three All Americans teams in each one.  Oh, and ESPNU will televise part of Countdown to Craziness.

Scalpers took a bath on Game Day

Scalpers are a necessary evil for folks always need tickets but when dealing with them you often feel like a shower is in store.  In short, they make used card salesmen look appealing.  Many of them made a killing with on line services leading up to the game but everywhere you turned on game day tickets were available below face value.  This often happens when anticipation outweighs the desire for the game has been called a sell out keeping many folks in front of their flat screens at home.

Pick the score contest winner

Tom4Duke was this weeks winner predicting a 62-17 Alabama win.  You can win one month of BDN Premium by sending us your Duke-Army pick via Twitter this week and being the closest to the score.  If you nail it, we'll give you three months of premium access.  The rules are simple - 1- you must have the winner, 2- be the closet to the actual score of both teams.  Example - You pick Duke to defeat Army 24-17 and the score is actually Duke 28-24, you are 11 total point off and of course the lower the number, the better for you.  Had you picked Army to win, you would have been automatically out.

Duke Football

BDN’s Sunday Morning Quarterback

Josh Snead had a productive day running the ball against Alabama. The true freshman was a bright spot for the Blue Devils. Image copyright Lance King and BDN

I would imagine that Duke is still reeling from their 62-13 defeat this morning but all they can do is go back to the drawing board and prepare for an Army team that will present the usual problems an option brings to town.  In this weeks Sunday Morning Quarterback column we touch on positives and concerns.

Did Josh Snead have a breakout game?

There were few bright spots for Duke during yesterdays shellacking but Josh Snead was one of them.  A true freshman, Snead, rushed for 83 yards on one of the nations toughest defenses.  Snead   ran up 103 yards on four kickoff returns as well.  We'll see if Snead can consistently bring that kind of performance as the season goes on and he is surely a player to watch closely when Army rolls into Durham next week.  Mark my words, you will see several articles on Snead this week.

The defense is just plain punch drunk

Duke starts a lot of youngsters on defense and it shows.  There is no Michael Tauliliili or Vincent Rey to plug the middle and make big plays.  In fact, this is a unit without that kind of talent up front and opposing backs are into the secondary before the echo of the QB's cadence is gone.  It is no secret that their confidence has been rattled after letting up 133 points in their first three games.  Cutcliffe and his staff must find a way to help them gain their confidence back.  Too many missed tackles are leading to big plays which forces the offense into constant situations where they have to score.  They get to face the option this week as Army rolls in after a shutout victory over North Texas.

Is Army a must win?

I normally like to stay away from claiming a game is a must win but I am afraid that if Duke loses this game, a long season of growth is in store.  So, in short, the Army game is absolutely a needed win for this teams confidence.  They are no Alabama, but Army is no push over this season and they know a win over Duke would boost their bowl hopes.  On the other hand, a Duke loss would cripple any bowl hopes for the Blue Devils.   Duke isin  desperate need of a win, plain and simple.

 
 
 

On this pic Conner Vernon is surrounded by three Alabama defenders. The gameplan was not to let Vernon beat you and he drew their best defenders. Photo Mark Watson BDN

Alabama took Conner Vernon out of the game

Alabama put their best defender in Dre Kirkpatrick on Vernon but he saw plenty of double and even triple teams at times.  In fact, all of the wideouts had long days from crushing hits to a few untimely drops.  The good thing is that Vernon never quit nor did the rest of the Blue Devils.  Duke will be better from the experience of playing lock down cover guys the rest of the season and there are plenty of touchdown receptions ahead.

Coach Cut has been preaching physical play

My thinking is that Cutcliffe saw that Duke was undermanned physically at certain positions in the pre season and he has preached aggressiveness and physical play in practice.  The Blue Devils are perhaps too young at certain positions forcing players into game action before they are physically mature.  Okay, I am talking the defensiveside of the ball and unfortunately you cannot fast forward natural physical development.

The atmosphere was top notch

Wallace Wade was transformed for the Alabama game and fans indeed packed the place with not a seat in sight before kickoff.  Promotions went down just fine and there didn't seem to be any major problems.  Kudos for Duke keeping this game in Durham and despite the loss it still provided a unique experience for fans and one they'll remember.  But as usual, a big throng of students left at the half.

Alabama fans friendly and in awe

While strolling around before the game, I was asked like ten questions from the visiting fans and I was glad to help them out.  It was kind of funny seeing their fans a few hundred at a time in Cameron.  Many of there fans were in awe of the facility, taking pictures and sitting in the old girl trying to imagine what a game was like there.  There fans seemed very cordial and several commented on how unique the campus was.  Hey guys, schedule Duke in hoops and we'll show you what it's like.  We'll be as gentle as you guys were on the football field.

Growing pains

In Cutcliffes third year, Duke is experiencing some growing pains while they rebuild at certain positions.  All is not lost and a win can cure many ills.  It is important for Duke fans to show their support during the tough times for they cannot see everything which goes on behind the scenes and this team will continue to work hard to achieve set goals.  The program had to dig itself out of a deep hole and as the young players gain experience, Duke will compete and win some games.

Recruits a plenty at the game

Duke had a bunch of prospects at the game and it is true that they saw Duke get walloped by Alabama.  Keep in mind that Cut has played against 25 or so Tide teams in his career and he stated this was the best of them all.  The perception that a game like this hurts recruiting is wrong for these kids know Duke is moving in the right direction and they know Alabama is good.

Duke Football

Duke no match for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Lance King Images

DURHAM - The Crimson Tide rolled through Durham and over Duke as they outplayed the home team in every aspect of the game in a 62-13 victory.  The Blue Devils were simply no match for the nation's top-rated team, who were led by the return of Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram, the Alabama tailback.  Ingram rushed for 151 yards and scored 2 touchdowns, but when the Tide went to the bench it didn't hurt them a bit, for their second and third team backs scored as well.

Duke struggled with their passing game where Sean Renfree was 17-34 for 144 yards and 1 touchdown.  "They're definitely a great football team but in a way we beat ourselves," said Renfree. Duke did, however, have a decent day running the ball where true freshman Josh Snead carried 14 times for 83 yards.  The Alabama defense shut down Conner Vernon, who caught just two passes, while Donovan Varner led the team with 7 catches for 55 yards.

"I told them [our team] that anybody who watched the game or the last two games that we are in rehab," said a frustrated Coach Cutcliffe after the game.

Big plays were the name of the game for the Tide where Trent Richardson broke off a 45 yard run for a score to go with a 90 yard kick return for another.  And their quarterback, Greg McElroy, has still yet to lose a game from his high school season to now.  McElroy finished the game hitting 14 of 20 passes for 258 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Duke falls to 1-2 on the season and they look to right the ship against a solid Army team next week.  More to come.

Duke Football

Cutcliffe and Duke Football entertain a bevy of recruits

Cutcliffe welcomes a bevy of prospects to Duke this weekend. Photo copyright BDN

DURHAM - Duke Football is hosting a bevy of prospects during this weekend's Duke-Alabama game.  Some of the visitors are already committed to the Blue Devils, while a good majority are from the junior class.  BDN will keep you abreast of football recruiting happenings in the coming week.  Until then, check out this list of prospects who will attend the game.

Tyler Alberts - Forsyth Country Day NC
Tyler Alt  -Greensburg Central Catholic PA
Stephone Anthony  - Anson NC
Henry Barnes -  Hobbton HS NC
Raymond - Freedom HS NC
B.J. Beecher - Concord Senior HS NC
Daniel Book - Hickory Ridge HS NC
Jared Boyd - Stephenson HS GA
Tommy Branch - Wake Forest Rolesville HS NC
Matt Brantley - Parkwood HS NC
Jonathan Bridges - Victory Christian NC
Kyler Brown - Charlotte Christian HS NC
John Brown - Seventy-First Senior HS NC
Matthew Browning - Mallard Creek HS NC
James Brumbaugh - Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy SC
Jeremy Buchanon - Anson NC
Omar Carr - Wallace Rose-Hill HS NC
Neil Chambers - Crest HS NC
Osborne Colin - Glenelg HS MD
Jamison Crowder - Monroe HS NC
Marcus Crowder - Eastern Alamance HS NC
Andre Davis - Bunn HS NC
Matthew DeGraffinreed - Millbrook HS NC
Christopher Dempsey - Southern Durham NC
Dylan Dopson - North Hagerstown HS MD
Preston Durham - Chapman HS SC
Brandon Ellerbe - Anson NC
Christopher Everette - E. Montgomery HS NC
Kyle Farlow - Randleman HS NC
Zack Ferguson - Butler HS NC
Lucas Fisher - Piedmont HS NC
Devin Flowers - Mallard HS NC
Jody Fuller - Valley HS NC
Barrett Gauger - Baylor School TN
Eddie Gordon - Boiling Springs HS SC
Bryton Griffin - Blue Ridge HS SC
Michael Hall - Nitro HS WV
Mark Harrell - Charlotte Catholic HS NC
David Helton - Baylor School TN
Sardius Henderson - Southern Vance HS NC
Josh Hess - Richlands HS VA
Nick Hill - Pearl-Cohn HS TN
Stewart Hinson - Piedmont HS NC
Jalen Holt - North Stanly HS NC
Johnathan Hough - Anson NC
Tyler Hunt - Eastern Guilford HS NC
Cory Hunter - Fuqua-Varina HS NC
Desmond Jackson - West Rowan HS NC
Mark Johnson - T. W. Andrews HS NC
Aaron Johnson - Central Cabarrus HS NC
Winfred Johnson - Patton HS NC
Hakim Jones - Southern Vance HS NC
Jarrell Jones-  Hillside HS NC
Raphael Kirby - Parkview HS GA
Myers Krah - Hillside HS NC
LeGrand Langford - Enloe HS NC
Garrett Leatham - Middle Creek HS NC
Bradley Lipscomb - Bartlett-Yancey HS NC
Jalen Littlejohn - Lincolnton HS NC
David Lowery - Leesville Road NC
Chaz Lowery - Ocean Lakes HS VA
Dillon Lucas - Shawnee High School NJ
Jamal Marcus - Hillside HS NC
David Marino - Sun Valley HS NC
Keith Marshall - Millbrook HS NC
Sam Marshall - Chancellor HS VA
Joe Massaquoi - T.C. Williams HS VA
Alex McAllister - R.J. Reynolds HS NC
Taylor McCurry - Enka HS NC
Chedin Meadowns - Buchtel HS Ohio
Connor Mewbourne - First Colonial HS VA
Greg Milhouse - Garner HS NC
Thomas Militello - Mary Institute Country Day School OH
Anderson Miller - First Colonial HS VA
Will Monday - Flowery Branch HS GA
Andre Montgomery - Goldsboro HS NC
Jonathan Moore - Middle Creek HS NC
Jonathan Moran - Loyola Blakefield HS MD
Austin Parker - N.Gwinnette HS GA
Reginald Parker - Roanoke HS NC
Kenny Patterson - Berry Academy NC
Bradley Pinion - Northwest Carbarrus HS NC
Drew Podrebarac - Weddington HS NC
Joseph Pope - Portsmouth Christian HS VA
Antoine Pozniak - Oak Ridge Military Academy NC
Eric Pressley - Blythewood HS SC
Tyshawn Richardson - Blue Ridge HS SC
Cody Robinson - Warren County HS TN
Drew Rogers - Page HS NC
Caleb Rowe - Blue Ridge HS SC
Mario Sanders - Greer Senior HS SC
Dalton Saunders - Summerville HS SC
Erich Schneider - Jacksonville Episcopal HS FL
John Scott - Knightdale HS NC
Jonathan Sherrill - Lincolnton HS NC
Jalen "Scoot" Simmons - West Charlotte HS NC
Mason Sledge - Monroe HS NC
Cody Smith - White Oak HS NC
Joel Suggs - Randleman HS NC
James Summers - Page HS NC
Chris Tavarez - Westlake HS GA
Daryl Taylor - South Central HS NC
Will Thomas - Topsail Sr. HS NC
Cole Truelove - Terry Sanford HS NC
Damien Washington - A.L. Brown HS NC
Kendall Whitehead - Millbrook HS NC
Phillip Williamson - Jordan HS NC
Darius Wilkins - Middle Creek HS NC
Monte Golden - Northside HS NC
Jordan Hill - Byrd HS NC
Tyler McAllister - Cummings HS NC
Casey Gladney - Columbia HS SC
Tanner Brookshire - Erwin HS NC
Lashuarn Monk - High Point Central HS NC
Matthew Gray - Woodbridge HS VA
Jamel Covington - Lovejoy HS GA
Dalton Dillon - Northwest Guilford HS NC
Matt Pawlowski - Northwest Guilford HS NC
Brandon Beasley - South Johnston HS NC
Tripp Hupman - Eastern Alamance HS NC
Joe Watson - Davie HS NC

**copyright BDN - This article cannot be reproduced in part or it's entirety without permission from Blue Devil Nation Administrators

Duke Football

Okay Duke fans, it’s time to turn out in force and wear your royal blue with pride

DURHAM - If you are out and about in the Durham area today, you can already see those Bama flags with that curious elephant on them flap about on out town cars.  The invasion of Bama faithful is on as the nations number one team has even the most casual fans excited about what is turning into an event unlike any other seen in these parts for some time.

N.C. State and North Carolina are just mere miles from the Duke campus but in Tuscaloosa, the Tide is the only game in town and state with the exception of their rival, the Auburn Tigers.  Duke Coach David Cutcliffe warned of the invasion during his weekly press conference and it's as if he knew exactly what to expect.  He mentioned that the visiting fans would be walking around the campus and stadium to check it out and sure enough after leaving Coach K's Thursday press conference, there they were strolling around campus on two full days before the game kicks off.

But the Tide fans weren't the only curious ones.  Duke fans came by to see the erected bleachers which transform Wallace Wade Stadium into something much different than some are used to.  In the open end of the stadium there is a huge section of bleacher brought in from the games hype.  Across the top, there are three other sections on each side.

All photo copyright BDN

There is even a smaller section in the closed in of the stadium which is reserved for a ton of Duke Football prospects, coaches and others affiliated with the program in some way.  The word is concessions are stocking up as if  two games being played but let us warn you that going to get your soda's and such could cause you to miss big portions of the game so plan accordingly.

Another suggestion is to leave as if this was a 1:00 game for traffic will be at an all time high and confusion will reign as the invading horde tries to find their way around.    In short, there is no trial run for the circus, but that is half the fun for unless you are there you cannot witness what is sure to be a sight for the local fans.

This is the game where Duke fans should all wear their royal blue with pride and cheer like they never have before and back the team and program no matter how the game progresses on the field.  This team deserves that support for they are young.  Coach Cutcliife deserves this for he is truly turning the once moribund program around.  The Administration deserves this for they allowed this game to remain in Durham instead of selling out for short term bucks.

Get out there and tailgate folks!  Go to the Chapel and or line the way as the Blue Devils march through two hours before game time on their way to Wade.  Simply get out there and enjoy the atmosphere of big time college football and learn from the experience.  And when you leave you will not only say, "I was there," but you will take away a unique experience and a part of the process of growing the program to where they desire to be.

Duke Senior TE's Huffman and King BDN Photo, may not be used without prior permission

Alabama is good.  Heck, they are real good, awesome if you will.  You can almost see Godzilla mving in from tree tops afar.  As solid as they are though, too much local focus has been on them instead of our own.  When you are watching the game, keep in mind that the vast majority of these Devils will return next season and that a solid quarterback in Sean Renfree is just beginning his career.

Very few people expect Duke to win but that's okay for sometimes you can actually win a bit in a loss.  This may be the case for Duke in that they can measure themselves against future NFL starters and carry any positives over into the rest of the season.  They will see the highest level of football and can take away gains from the experience.

And for gosh sakes, cheer them on even in the toughest moments.  Be heard on third down plays despite what may have happened in the previous possession for just one stop can lead to good things.  It will seem like a Alabama North game to many but this is still our house and our turf.  Let's not roll over and concede without a fight both in the stands and on the field.

Your team needs you.  Cheer loud, cheer often and wear your Duke Blue and if you are on the fence about going, if you don't you can never say, "I was there when the nations best team came to town and the place was packed."  Don't fret the worries about a ticket if you don't have any, just go and things will work out.  This is a call to arms for Duke fans from BDN.  Don't let "your" Blue Devils down.

The spirit of Wallace Wade will be roaming about, but will you?  Bring the spirit!

Duke Basketball

BDN Interview – Chris Collins talks Team USA, Coach K, Durant and more

DURHAM -  BDN sat down with Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins upon his return from Istanbul where the United States reclaimed the top spot in the FIBA world rankings.  Collins talks a bit about his experiences, Kevin Durrant, Coach K and how the team came together as time progressed.

Well, you guys did it again!  A Gold Medal, National Championship and a another Gold Medal all in consecutive fashion is pretty impressive.  The team came together to beat Turkey and several other good  teams along the way.  It had to be a great experience.

To go over there and win in an international competition, one we haven't in a number years was a great accomplishment.  This was a different challenge than the Olympics where as a lot of guys decided not to play.   And we had some injuries early on as well.  We lost a number of the big men we expected to have and picked a group of guys who we thought would gel together.  They were hungry and anxious  to represent our country  and what was cool is how you saw us continue to get batter as the tournament went on.  Guys got more familiar with each other, they got better, roles were developed and to win those last couple of games and have the Gold Medal game against Turkey in Istanbul was awesome.  I was just amazed at the job Coach K did, he was at his best again.

I noticed he was up off the bench coaching a lot.

Well, he had to.  We had a young group so he needed to have that fire and passion and that's what is great about him in that he knows what this team needs.  He needed to be animated and emotional and he did a good job getting these guys to come together for the gold.

Does it insult you a bit when some refer to this as the "B" team?

Yeah, I mean, I understand where it's coming from because we would have loved to have had some of the guys from the Olympics.  But when you talk about a "B" team they were still pretty good and we used that to our advantage.  Those guys, they had a chip on their shoulder.  They knew they were good players and they went out and showed it. Any naysayers or people predicting other teams to win, well, we talked about it and used it to our advantage.

Photo courtesy of MVN

Can you talk a bit about the play of Kevin Durant?

He's a special player, but he's as good a person.  There is no baggage with him there is no hoopla, he's just a young guy who wants to get better and win.  Late at night even after games he would go to the gym and just work on his shot.  To see what he can do at such a young age is knowing he can go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

From afar, Coach K seemed to really bond with him [Durant], as if he told him you cannot be stopped.

Yeah.  As we put the team together everybody knew from day one he had to be the man.  Especially offensively but early on he wanted to share the ball and get it to others.  But a combination of Coach K and the older guys on the team like Lamar Odom and Chancey Billups told him you need to be the guy and that we are going to go to you and go through you.  That allowed him the confidence to just be himself and stay lose and what he did was amazing.

How about the play of Andre Igoudala?  That had to please your Dad.

Yeah.  It was fun to watch him play and he will of course play for my Dad in Philadelphia.  He's a guy on the Sixers who will take a lot of shots and score.  But on this team he was the defensive stopper and he relished the role and sacrificed for the team.  He was a glue guy with rebounds and steals.  He made a lot of little plays which helped us win.

If you follow Duke, Team USA looked like Duke in the end.

A lot of our defensive principles were the things we teach here at Duke.  It took a lot of practice because in the NBA they have different rules with illegal defenses.  It took a lot of practice and reps to gain the habits defensively.  We knew we would be smaller so we had to win with our quickness and so we really pressured the ball and those are staples of how we play here at Duke.  So, yes, I would say it is was similar in how we play at Duke.

When you guys returned to Durham did the current Duke players want to talk about your experience and what happened?

Oh, yeah.  Oh yeah.  All young players aspire and want to be pros.  I think we've created a situation, Coach K and Mr. Conlangelo have created a situation where the excitement to play for your country again is at an all time high.  It wasn't as cool to play for the USA a few years ago but you are now seeing pride in all age groups and they want to play for their country.  That is what is important here in that the pros and younger kids want to play for Team USA and represent their country.

At one time there was a ridiculous notion that Krzyzewski coaching Team USA would hurt Duke and basketball recruiting. Can you talk about how silly that notion was, especially in hindsight?

[laughs] Well, we don't pay any attention to that.  I mean we didn't miss anything.  You may miss a little of the open period in July but all the guys know what he is doing.  He is coaching the pro guys.  He's coaching Kevin Durant, he's coaching LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.  We learn so much from those guys so when we talk to recruits or our own players we say this is what we learned from a Kevin Durrant sharing that with them.  Young players see just what kind and how good of a coach --  Coach K is.