Monthly Archives: November 2010

Duke Football

Duke & Virginia Q&A Exchange

In anticipation of this Saturday’s matchup with Virginia, BDN checked in with the Sabre to get an update on the Cavaliers’ 2010 season. Kris Wright was gracious enough to entertain our questions after UVA’s big win against Miami last week.

BDN: With a new coaching staff, there are always some growing pains. What have been the biggest changes you have seen, on and/or off the field?

Kris: There is a long, long list of things that have changed over the past 11 months since Coach London was hired in December 2009. On the field, UVa has switched from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 scheme and reverted back to a pro-style offense after an experiment with the spread in recent seasons. Off the field, Coach London is much more accessible beyond his media obligations, much more forthcoming with information on things like injuries, and much more enthusiastic as a coach than we have seen in the past few seasons here at Virginia. Beyond that, the team had its highest team GPA in a decade this past spring. That’s the ‘in a nutshell’ version, but rest assured, UVa fans and the administration are very happy with how things have gone with this coaching change.

BDN: Virginia is just 3 wins away from bowl eligibility, after a total of 3 wins last year. What were your expectations for Mike London in his first year, and how would the fan base evaluate the season so far?

Kris: I wouldn’t say there were many expectations in terms of total wins, bowl chances, and the like. I think most people wanted to see progress on and off the field, but not necessarily in win totals. If you looked at the schedule before the season started, you could pick three wins out of there easily (Richmond, VMI, and Eastern Michigan) and other possible wins if things go well that week (Duke, Maryland, Boston College). Beyond that, no one was expecting anything other than improving week to week, which this team has been doing during the back half of October en route to that big win against Miami last week.

BDN: The Virginia offensive line gave up 15 sacks over the first 5 games, but just 2 sacks in the past 3 games. What has caused the improvement that has opened things up for QB Marc Verica and RB Keith Payne?

Kris: It is hard to pinpoint any specific thing other than added experience together. There was a shuffle on the line due to an injury to Landon Bradley, who was the starting left tackle but missed the past couple of games with a hand injury (he is expected to be available this week). That moved right tackle Oday Aboushi to the left side and true freshman Morgan Moses into the starter’s spot at right tackle. Overall, however, I think it’s just a gelling and growing process unfolding with the players and their new coaches.

BDN: The Cavaliers' defense has several NFL-caliber players, led by junior CB Chase Minnifield. How has this group handled the transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3? Do you think the new scheme is a better fit for the personnel?

Kris: The defense has been up and down throughout the season. It had two really good outings against Southern California and Miami, but really struggled against Florida State, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech. There have been other in-between games too. The transition issues have been turning up in the form of big plays as everyone on the schedule (except VMI) has put up a handful of big gainers and nearly everyone has put up long scoring plays too. I think that’s a sign of being over aggressive within the attacking 4-3 defense - losing pursuit angles, breaking down with rushing lanes, missing tackles, and things like that. With that said, I think the new scheme is a good fit for the personnel that UVa will be able to recruit.

BDN: Under Coach Cutcliffe, Duke has had Virginia's number, winning both of the last 2 matchups, though UVA had won the previous 8 meetings. What do you expect to see on Saturday when the Blue Devils' passing attack faces the physical Cavaliers' secondary?

Kris: Every game is about match-ups and you picked out the big one, Duke’s passing offense vs. UVa’s pass defense. I think the key there will be open field tackles, though. The Blue Devils spread it out horizontally and throw quick passes a lot so Virginia will need to be sound with one-on-one tackling duties in open space. If the Cavaliers can do that, I think they will win the match-up and I don’t think the Blue Devils’ defense is consistent enough to contain the Virginia offense on the other side.

Duke Basketball

BDN Post Game Report – Coach K comments and stat facts

Irving drives during Duke's exhibition win - Photo courtesy of Duke Photo and GoDuke.com

DURHAM - Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski was quick to praise a pesky Cal Poly Pomona team that played competitively against his number one ranked team but ultimately lost 81-60.  Krzyzewski will use the exhibition win over the defending NCAA Division II Champ as a learning tool in the young season and he's quick to point out that these Devils are not and will not play perfect baszketball.  In short, the nations top ranked team is a work in progress and Coach does not want them to peak early but instead learn one another.

Duke went on a 19-2 second half run which helped them pull away only to let the Bronco's back in the contest.  Duke who depends on the three point shot hit but 2 of 15 from behind the arc.  Duke faced a very tough and unusual match up defense and it's likely true that Krzyzewski did not allow his team to prepare for it but instead let them learn on the run.

After a 26-26 count in the paint in the first half, Duke dominated that area in the seconf half and ended up winning the battle 52-32.  In fact, the Duke defense was much better in the seond half until late in the contest.

Duke was led in scoring by Kyle Singler and Miles Plumlee with 14 points each.  Singler, the All American, scored all of his points after the break.  Kryrie Irving was in double figures with 13, while Nolan Smith added 12 and Mason Plumlee had a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Blue Devils outscored the visitors by a 30-13 margin on points off turnovers.  Duke struggled a bit from the free throw stripe going 17 out of 28.

Link to official box score

We'll have more on the game shortly but until then here is Coach Mike Krzyzewski's post game comments -

Just press play -

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Hungry Duke gets a Cook – Quinn pulls the trigger

Oak Hill senior Quinn Cook committed to Duke University today over finalist UCLA on ESPNU this afternoon. The poised 6'1" point guard, who visited Duke twice in the past six weeks, brings excellent court vision, can hit both the mid-range and three-point shot, and handles the ball like a string. He's just as comfortable running the break as he is executing a half-court set.

After leading DeMatha, the Hyattsville stalwart, to the the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championship, which was arguably the toughest high school league in the nation last year, and the D.C. City Title, Cook was named the Washington Post's Metro Player of the Year, a rare feat for a junior, averaging twenty points and six assists per game. The Prince George's County product then guided the United States to a gold medal at the FIBA Under-17 World Basketball Championship in Hamburg, Germany this past July, leading a loaded US team in assists, including eleven in the Championship game against Poland.

Quinn came back from Germany and immediately solidified an improved D.C. Assault squad in the remaining July events. In the closing moments of the Elite 24 game in Venice Beach, California, the personable point guard landed awkwardly, partially tearing ligaments in his right knee. Cook had surgery on September 3 and is expected to make a complete recovery.

This, however, wasn't the first major setback in the young man's life. Just over two and a half years ago, Ted Cook, Quinn's charismatic father, died unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest. The young man persevered through internal strength, help from his mother Janet, a vibrant New York transplant, as well as his coaches and friends at DeMatha and D.C. Assault. Among his support staff was Duke guard and D.C. Assault alumnus Nolan Smith. Smith shared a lot of things in common with the younger Cook, but the most notable one was the tragic experience of losing a father at far too young an age. Looking back, Quinn has referred to Smith and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Mike "Beas" Beasley, a fellow D.C. Assault alumnus, as his "Godbrothers," for their guidance and support during his darkest hours.

This recent injury, which was initially feared to cost Quinn his entire senior season, has proven to be a temporary setback. On October 21, the Maryland native graced the court in a scrimmage against fellow prep power Hargrave Military Academy.

Through his relationship with Nolan Smith, Quinn had visited the Duke campus on several occasions over the past few years and remained on the program's radar, but their mutual interest picked up significantly over the past six months, as fellow D.C. area native Nate James evaluated and pursued the steady point guard from Oak Hill. Following a day of USA practices in Las Vegas, Coach Krzyzewski observed Cook

Duke Football

Sean Renfree talks the Navy game and UVA ahead

Renfree hopes to continue his hot streak versus UVA this weekend - Photo by Lance Images for BDN

DURHAM - Duke Quarterback Sean Renfree hopes to build on his steller performance against Navy when Virginia visits Wallace Wade Stadium this weekend.  BDN caught up to Sean during this weeks media day and got his thoughts on the upcoming game and more -

Just press play -

Duke Basketball

Duke Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski Interview – Part III

Coach K instructs during the recent Coachs Clinic - BDN Photo

Today we present part III of our round table  interview with Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski who shares his thoughts on all things Duke Basketball. 

Just press play -

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Duke Football

Stats Update: Sean Renfree has record setting performance in win over Navy

Sean Renfree (right) and Conner Vernon (left) were key performers in Duke's win over Navy.
Duke beat Navy 34-31 on the strength of a record setting performance by Sean Renfree and a strong first half by the entire offense; however, the defense played great and acknowledging true freshman linebacker Kelby Brown's 12 tackles, along with Abraham Kromah's 11 tackles, and Matt Daniel's huge tackle on 4th down is appropriate. The defense dominated Navy for three quarters and provided many key performances in the victory.

The Top 8 Statistics in Duke's Win over Navy:

1. Sean Renfree set a single game pass completion percentage record with his 28-30 (93.3%) performance. Renfree didn't set just a new Duke record or an ACC record, he set a new NCAA record, for games with a minimum of 30 passes thrown, by besting Steve Sarkisian's 31-34 (91.2%) performance for BYU against Fresno State on November 25, 1995.

2. Zero turnovers for the Blue Devils. Multiple turnovers doomed Duke in losses against Wake Forest (four), Army (Five) and Miami (seven). The importance of not turning the ball over cannot be overstated. Entering the game, Navy was ranked tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin, while Duke was ranked 119th.

3. Two for two on onside kick recoveries. Navy attempted two onside kicks in the 4th quarter but first Conner Vernon and then Cooper Helfet foiled Navy's attempts by successfully catching the ball for the Blue Devils. Navy's offense was hitting on all eight cylinders in the 4th quarter and these two key plays by Vernon and Helfet prevented the Midshipmen from gaining extra possessions.

4. Duke's vaunted receiving corps earned their accolades: five receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown by Conner Vernon, seven receptions for 69 yards by Cooper Helfet, five receptions for 57 yards by Donovan Varner, five receptions for 49 yards by Desmond Scott, four receptions for 23 yards by Austin Kelly and two receptions for 26 yards by Brandon Braxton. Fifteen of Duke’s 21 first downs were achieved on pass receptions.

5. The defense dominated Navy’s triple option offense until the 4th quarter. Kelby Brown recorded 12 tackles including three solo and Abraham Kromah had 11 tackles with five being solo. Patrick Egboh was credited with 1.5 sacks.

6. Time of possession. Duke mounted multiple long drives and controlled the ball for 36 minutes and 57 seconds. The drives included: 10 plays for 68 yards resulting in a field goal, 14 plays for 76 yards resulting in a touchdown, 10 plays for 45 yards resulting in a touchdown, eight plays for 64 yards resulting in a touchdown, 10 plays for 70 yards resulting in a touchdown, and 12 plays for 60 yards resulting in a field goal.

7. Conversions on 3rd and 4th down. Duke was two for three on 4th down and 8 for 15 on 3rd down. Converting on these plays allowed the offense to mount multiple sustained drives, which kept Navy's offense off the field.

8. Duke rushed 45 times for 142 yards and six first downs. Desmond Scott was the leading rusher with 42 yards including a key 17 yard run during Duke’s opening drive. Quarterbacks Sean Renfree and Brandon Connette combined to rush for 61 yards and three touchdowns.