Monthly Archives: August 2011

Duke Football

Football Friday: #dukegang hits the field

The Blue Devils kicked off practice in the heat on Monday afternoon in Durham

What a week! Monday afternoon, the Blue Devils hit the gridiron for their first practice of training camp. Tuesday, the football team was back at it, while the mens’ basketball team held open practice in preparation for their trip to China and Dubai. Wednesday afternoon was preseason media day for Duke Football, and we followed up with coverage of football practice on Thursday and Friday. Got all that? Good. Either way, BDN has you covered with exclusive video interviews and inside analysis.

PRACTICE NOTES

BDN members have heard real-time practice updates on our message board and Twitter sites all week long, but we’ll give you the cliff notes version.

Kelby Brown: all signs points to Kelby being 100% and leading the Blue Devil linebackers on September 3rd. He’s had a great first week of practice, but will be brought along slowly when Duke puts on pads Friday morning. Coach Cutcliffe was pleased with the sophomore linebacker’s play: “Kelby has really surprised me - well, he hasn't surprised me - that's just Kelby. What's great is that his instincts, his nose for the ball, his reaction time haven't missed a beat.” BDN was on the scene and got the latest from Kelby on his knee and the 2011 Duke defense.

Blair Holliday and Jamison Crowder: every year, some players are just too good to keep off the field. Even though the Blue Devils have two “killer V” All-ACC wide receivers already on the depth chart, along with budding star Brandon Braxton (who everyone expects to have a breakout season), Holliday and Crowder have managed to turn a lot of heads so far in practice. Holliday adds length to the Blue Devil receivers, while Crowder has impressed with his speed and athleticism.

David Helton, Jared Boyd, and Tim Burton: defensively, these three players have shown flashes of their ability so far in practice. Helton could certainly be poised to contribute to a thin linebacking corps, much like freshman Kelby Brown did a year ago. Boyd and Burton will be playmakers in the Duke secondary for years to come.

Sean Renfree: Sean has taken a big step forward as a leader of the 2011 Blue Devils. After leading the Duke players in voluntary team workouts over the summer, his coaches and teammates expect the second-year starter to have a big season. With a dynamic group of receivers, tight ends, and running backs, along with an experienced offensive line, the pieces are in place for a “special” season.

Kenny Anunike and Nick Sink: while most reports out of camp have been extremely encouraging, the Blue Devils have had a few minor injuries to deal with in the first week. While the injuries have been classified as minor (primarily ankles and hamstrings), two of Duke’s promising defensive linemen in Anunike and Sink are day-to-day with injuries. Anunike’s absence, in particular, has opened the door for redshirt-freshmen Dezmond Johnson and Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo to earn more reps with the first and second units. Overall, Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles classified the young defensive linemen's progress as "two steps forward and one step back."

COACH CUTCLIFFE CHATS UP BDN

Football Friday was on hand to hear Coach Cutcliffe’s take on the Blue Devils’ first few practices, the play of the Duke freshmen, and what he expects to see when the team puts on pads Friday morning.

RECRUITING UPDATES

The Duke staff hosted Jela Duncan on Sunday for a tour of the new facilities and meeting with Coach Cutcliffe. The speedy back out of Mallard Creek remains the Blue Devils’ top priority in the class of 2012, and has repeatedly confirmed Duke as his leader. While Duke would love to see Jela pull the trigger, he plans to take his official visits this fall, meaning Duke will have to wait things out. The staff would be thrilled to close out the class with a commitment from Duncan.

The Blue Devils remain in the running for a handful of other prospects, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Along the defensive line, Duke is staying in contact with Torey Agee, Terrell Jackson, and D.J. Reader, though the competition will be tough for all three prospects. Keilin Rayner and Jeremiah Allison remain in the mix at linebacker, though both have seen their recruitment heat up this summer. The Blue Devils would welcome any of these prospects on campus for an official visit, and of course would be excited to add them to the program later this fall.

Get ready for 2013. Yep, 2012 signing day is still months away, but Duke is in the enviable position of being able to evaluate the class of 2013 early. Starting September 1st, the staff will be able to contact high school juniors to get a jump-start on next year’s recruiting class. As always, BDN will be the first to bring you updates on the early targets in the class of 2013.

MEET THE BLUE DEVILS DAY

September 3rd will be here before we know it, but it won’t be the first chance for fans to get a look at the 2011 Blue Devils. Duke will host its annual Meet the Blue Devils Day on Saturday, August 20th in Wallace Wade Stadium beginning at 5:30 PM. All fans will receive a free team poster, a chance to meet the players and coaches, and a look inside the new practice facilities.

FOOTBALL FRIDAY SNEAK PEAK

No, not that kind of sneak peak. We thought maybe you couldn’t wait until Meet the Blue Devils Day to get a look at the new practice facility. Here’s a quick look inside:

NEXT WEEK

That’s a wrap for this week. Follow us on Twitter and our Premium Message Board for live updates from training camp and all season long. WE ARE DUKE.

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Nate The Great

Nate Britt Adidas Photo

6'1" rising junior Nate Britt, who was profiled earlier in the year, had a productive AAU and camp season. From an individual standpoint, the zenith was his performance at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, where he finished second in camp scoring and was named one of five Workout Warriors. With his D.C. Assault brethren, the baby-faced leader competed in tournaments from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas, where D.C. Assault and Duke alumnus Nolan Smith of the Portland Trail Blazers helped coach DCA, with a high-point of reaching the finals of the King James Shooting Stars Classic in Akron, Ohio.

This weekend, the Gonzaga guard helped his USA 2013 Red team to a second place finish at the Adidas Nations in Compton, California. Yesterday, the reigning D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year was invited to participate in the Elite 24 in Venice Beach, California at the end of the month. Nate Britt spoke with Blue Devil Nation about various topics, including Nolan Smith, Twitter, and how far along he is in his recruitment.

Starting back a bit with the camps, specifically the NBA 100 one, what was that experience like, first of all?
Oh, it was great experience because they had, like, all the best of the best players. It was an awesome feeling just going against those guys. All of those guys are very talented and they keep you on your toes. It was just a great experience.

Then, transitioning back to D.C. Assault in July, what was that like for you?
Fun. We've played together for years and, you know, get to play in big-time tournaments in front of the college coaches. We have a really good time playing together.

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In terms of your recruitment, what's been going on lately?
The hardest three on me are Villanova, Virginia, and Georgetown. Those three have offered and Arizona. Did I say Arizona?
Yeah.
Those and I've gotten interest from Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, UCLA, UConn, Syracuse..those are the only ones I can think of right now. My head's kinda spinning (laughs).

Are there one or two schools that you grew up rooting for?
Georgetown. That's the hometown school. I always rooted for Georgetown.

In terms of the schools that were expressing interest like North Carolina or Duke, what have they said to you?
I feel like I've spoken to so many programs and coaches that I'm not exactly sure what the message is, but my phone's been blowing up really since whatever that date was, like, the fifteenth or whatever. I know that I've spoken with schools like North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Duke. I've been in touch with all of them and I like speaking with them and learning what they have to say.

Are schools still able to get into your recruitment?
Oh, yes, but I'm trying to slow it down.

Will you be cutting it, your list, down soon or do you have any plans in that direction?
Oh, yes, I'm going to try to sit down and cut it down to a more manageable number or whatever after all of this ends..probably some time in late August, you know.

Do you plan, at this point, on taking official visits in your senior year or do you plan on deciding next year?
I'm going to try to decide next year.
Just for clarification, you mean before your senior year?
Yes, before my senior year.

Nate Britt BDN/Andrew Slater Photo

Going back for a second to that NBA 100 camp, how do you account for your success at that event? You had that thirty point outburst that, sort of, put some people on notice. Also, how would you assess the state of your game right now? In the past, you mentioned that you wanted to work on your outside shot and adding some strength.
Yeah, I've improved my three-point shot to where I feel comfortable just pulling up and shooting it when it's in rhythm. I feel like I'm mentally comfortable with making a few a game.

And what about the strength issue? You mentioned that you wanted to be able to play through contact.
Yeah, well, that's something that I still need to work on and improve, but, with all of these games, you don't really get a chance. I'm hoping that I can spend August and September just getting stronger and hitting the weights.

Back to that thirty point game and your overall performance, what are your thoughts on why and how you played?
Yeah, I think it was just getting mentally in a place where I could perform. My coach there just kept telling me to score or take it to the rack and I was just feeling it. For whatever reason, it just clicked there.

When you were younger, outside of Georgetown, were there any other programs that you rooted for?
I rooted for Villanova, for a little bit, when I was younger. When they had Allen Ray and Randy Foye and those guys, I was really interested in them and rooting for them.

Is there any sentiment about trying to stay closer to home or you really don't care?
Well, I would like to stay closer to home because I know that my parents would like to see me play, but whatever is the best situation for me.

Do you have any visits planned?
No, not as of right now, but I'm pretty sure that some will come up.

Who's the best player that you've faced or guarded this summer?
Um, I'd probably have to say Yogi…Yogi Ferrell. I faced him at both NBA Top 100 and also Adidas Nations.

In terms of a timeline in your recruitment, if this were a baseball game, what inning would you say that we're in?
Probably the seventh..the seventh inning.

I've noticed on your Twitter account that you've talked a lot in the past about your lack of sleep or difficulty with sleep.
Oh, yeah, (laughs) it's hard with all of the games I've been playing and the travel and time zones. You've got workouts and early morning workouts. It's just kind of hard on the body or, at least, mine.
6:30 workouts in the morning.
(laughs) Yeah, you know, 6:30 in the morning workouts. It's killing me. (laughs)

How about defensively? How would you assess your defense at this point? I think you've stepped up your defense from the past.
Yeah, I've been feeling better about my defense lately. I think I've given better and really gotten in there. I've tried to focus on it a bit so that, if my offense goes in a particular game, at least I've got my defense. It's something that I can rely on.

Before you were talking about playing in front of the coaches, how do you think they have an effect on your play?
Oh, at first, I had butterflies, but I've tried to just have fun with it. I try to just get used to it. You know that your playing in front of the greatest coaches and that kind of inspires you. You know that you have to perform and then it's also great to have that opportunity and also playing in front of fans is fun too.

Who are some of your Assault teammates that have also stepped up their games this year?
I think Kris (Jenkins) has. He's battled back from injury and been able to help us after sitting out earlier in the year.
And you couldn't be tighter with him (Jenkins lives with the Britts) so you know the pain that he must've been in to sit out?
Yeah, absolutely, we're very close and he felt terribly about missing so many games with that badly sprained ankle. He was worried about it too. I feel like we really jelled well together as a team.

I just want to clarify an earlier answer. You mentioned about how those three schools stood out. Were you implying that it was too late, in essence, for other schools to get involved or just that those three happened to stand out right now?
Oh, no, no. Yeah, it's not too late. It's just that those three schools happened to be recruiting a little harder than the others at this point.

Has there been any really new school to step in?
Well, Maryland offered and North Carolina stepped up their interest.

Well, that must've made you feel good.
Oh, yeah, it did.

What was it like, by the way, when Nolan Smith joined the Assault coaching staff?
(laughs) Oh, yeah, that was great because you know that's a guy that accomplished so much and he's got a really good basketball mind. He doesn't get crazy out there. He just helps you focus.

Did he help at all with the strategy?
Oh, yeah, he helped. He pointed out things and, you know, who for us to make switches on. It was great to have him out there with us, you know. I think we all appreciated it and certainly I did. It was great.

He mentioned that he was going to say something to the team.
Oh, yeah, he talked to all of us. He mentioned how it wasn't long ago that he was in our seats. He talked about hard he worked and has to work to continue to make it. He encouraged all of us to get out there and work. It was inspirational.

Nate Britt BDN/Andrew Slater Photo

It's amazing that he was in your spot or grade just five years ago.
Yeah, it is . It just goes so fast. It helps keep him in touch. He just kept saying how hard he worked and to stay focused and stuff like that. He always, like, had his eye on the prize and encouraged us to do that to.

Before you were talking about how you guys play so many games, do you feel that momentum carries over from one tournament to the next.
Yeah, I think it does, when we play events really close to one another. When you win or lose a lot in one tournament, I do think it carries over…it can help bring confidence to a team or sometimes drag it down.

Is there any player nationally that you wanted to get a chance to play or take on this summer and you didn't get a chance to at one of the various events?
That's tough. Not really…I think I've played just about everybody at this point. (laughs).

In terms of position, is anyone recruiting you as a combo guard at this point or is everybody now looking at you as a straight one?
Really, just a one now. Just a straight one.

How are you trying to use Twitter? Growing your audience. Is it a way to get your voice out there?
Oh, yeah, I'm just trying to get people to know me a little bit and, like you said, grow my audience or voice.

Lastly, you've traveled all around through basketball. What's been your favorite tournament that you've played in so far?
I would probably have to say Vegas. It's either Vegas or Indiana. Those are my two favorites because they just feel bigger and there's more excitement in the air for whatever reason. Kids are pumped up to play in front of the coaches, I guess. The games feel more important.

Thanks again, Nate. Good luck to you.
Yeah, yeah, sure. You're welcome. [/private]

Duke Football

BDN goes 1-on-1 with Duke linebacker Kelby Brown

Duke LB Kelby Brown spoke with BDN at Duke Football's Media Day

DURHAM- Blue Devil Nation was on hand for Duke Football's Media Day on Wednesday in Durham. One of the key players for the 2011 Blue Devils will be sophomore linebacker Kelby Brown, who has hit the field running this week after knee surgery late in 2010. BDN caught up with Kelby for an update on his health and the 2011 Duke defense.

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Final Four: A Perry Ellis Update

Perry Ellis BDN/Andrew Slater Photo

This past weekend, 6'8" rising senior Perry Ellis of Wichita helped his USA Red team to a third place finish at Adidas Nations in Compton, California. In his final game, the three-time Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year scored twelve points and grabbed six rebounds. Since he was last profiled, Ellis, a 4.0 student, has cut his lengthy list of suitors down to a final four: Kansas St., Kansas, Kentucky and Duke University. He is working on setting up future visits.

Over the past month, Ellis has teamed with improving guard Buddy Hield for the Kansas Pray and Play program in events from the NY2LA Summer Jam outside Milwaukee to Las Vegas' Super 64 to cap off his final AAU campaign. In two weeks, the driven forward, who battled tendinitis in June, will once again be participating in the Elite 24 event in Venice Beach, CA.

The always cordial Perry Ellis sat down with BDN for a quick update following a close defeat to discuss what he'd like to find in the college of his choice and what he hopes to view on his upcoming visits.

How much momentum carries over from event to event or tournament to tournament? Either as an individual or a team?
With our first game, we always seem a little sluggish.

I noticed that. Then, you guys seem to pick it up in the second game, for whatever reason. The team seems to get into a groove and build from there.
Yeah, and then we get into a flow and we get momentum and we're running up-and-down and things seem to click a lot better. When we're not, we're missing easy shots and easy lay-ups.
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Even just one or two tip-ins would've changed the course of this game.
Yeah, it's the little stuff. I mean we lost by what? Three?

Two. It was killing me. (laughs)
Two? Jeez. Man, I can't believe we lost by two and we missed all of those little things. We should've won by twenty or something. There's no excuse, but we've just got to keep our focus.

Yeah, I was just thinking about momentum and what your thoughts were on it. Is there any new news in terms of recruiting or visits?
Um, I'm not really sure when exactly I'm going to visit the schools. I don't have nothing really planned right now.

Where do you feel most comfortable catching the ball?
Right around the free throw line..

Facing up around the wings?
Wings?

Yeah, I'm sorry, like the free throw line extended.
Yeah, exactly, right around there, you know, just facing up.

How about defending fours versus threes? Which do you feel more comfortable defending against? It seems like you've defended everyone from fives to threes.
I mean I like getting out on the wings, but it just depends on what we needed.

Yeah, that's why I was more curious about what position you felt most comfortable guarding versus what the team needed in a given game or match-up.
Well, I like getting out on the wings because I think you get out on more breaks, you know. I mean most of the time if you're down low and you throw an outlet pass, it's already too..

You're too late to score on the break. (laughs) You want to have some fun out there.
Yeah, exactly. (laughs)

And what position are most schools recruiting you for now? There seemed to be some back and forth the last time over some schools recruiting you as a face-up four versus a three.
I'd say most schools are saying three and, if I've got a mismatch, than a four. That's what they've said.

What are you looking for ideally in the college that you ultimately do decide on? What are some things that you hope that they have? Looking big picture now.
The first thing is being comfortable. Being comfortable around the school and just knowing people. Being comfortable there is the first thing.

That's step one. You've got to feel comfortable.
Then, playing on TV. I want to be able to play on TV.

Sure.
Putting out players..they're developing players.

So, exposure and developing players..
Yeah, definitely.

What about urban versus rural? Will distance play a big factor? You've got them both very close by and a few states away.
Yeah, no, distance won't really matter to me. Just whether I'm more comfortable there than on the other campuses.

How about knowing players either on the current team or in your recruiting class?
Yeah, that would definitely help. It would help as far as knowing other people and being comfortable. Just knowing guys that you might get to play with. That's definitely something to think about.

Yeah, I was just thinking that might ease some concerns. What are you hoping to see on your visits?
As far as..

Where would you like to go? Do you want to see the facilities, the campus, and the players' dorms, etcetera?
Yeah, exactly, I'd like to see all the little stuff like what do they do before the games.

Pre-game rituals and preparation.
Yeah, see all that they have to do, where they live, see their classes and so forth.

Have you thought at all about what you'd like to major in or what interests you? I know you're Mr. 4.0 student.
Yeah, (laughs) I'm not really sure. I've been concentrating so much on basketball lately.

Sure, will immediate playing time be a major factor in your decision?
Yeah, I mean, on the one hand, I definitely would like an opportunity to play early on…just like I'm sure everybody does, but, on the other hand, I don't want people to just tell me that I'm gonna play..I want to work for it. I want people to tell me that. I don't want to just be given anything.

See, but I remember the last time that you said that you didn't like guys that were too demanding on you all of the time. How does that..would you like them to push a little bit, but not too much?
Oh, I meant as far as practice.

But you just meant off the court.
Yeah, yeah, breathing room.

Because the last time you were talking about how you liked how some of the programs recruiting you gave their players freedom, but now I understand that you want the freedom off the court, while being pushed on it.
Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Okay. That's it for me. I really appreciate it. Good luck tonight.
Alright, sure. Thank you.
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