The signature moment to date in Dave McClure's tenure as a Duke Blue Devil is his game winning basket against Clemson on January 25, 2007.  McClure caught a pass from Jon Scheyer and sank a basket over K.C. Rivers as time expired giving Duke a 68-66 victory.  It was vintage McClure - hustling to the right place at the right time.  In describing McClure, Coach Krzyzewski stated, "He makes simple, terrific plays."  Three nights later, against Boston College, Dave McClure hyper extended his left knee.

 

His career at Duke has been hampered by injuries.  He has had surgery on both knees while a Blue Devil.  McClure missed the entire 2005-2006 season after having left knee surgery on February 1, 2005.  Surgery on his right knee was performed on August 21, 2007.  McClure has played in 88 games for the Blue Devils and averaged 2.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game.  McClure was most productive as a sophomore, in the 2006-2007 season, when he averaged 4.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game.  He started 11 games in his sophomore season.

 

The 6-6 205 pound redshirt senior was ranked as the # 57 player in the high school Class of 2004 by Scout.com and arrived at Duke with a reputation as not being the most athletic player, but a guy with high basketball IQ.  Dave attended high school at Trinity Catholic in Ridgefield, CT and helped the Crusaders win three state championships.  At Duke, McClure has demonstrated he has a nose for the ball and is willing to do whatever it takes – dive on the floor – jump into the stands – battle bigger opponents – to gain possession.

 

What will McClure’s role be in his senior season?  It is a given that Coach Krzyzewski will look to McClure for leadership, but it is less clear how much of that leadership will actually take place on the court.  With the arrival of two freshman front court players, Olek Czyz and Miles Plumlee, and the possibility of a healthy Brian Zoubek, McClure will face tough competition for playing time.  His new teammates are bigger and have two healthy knees each, but Dave McClure has the advantage of experience in the Duke system and understanding Coach Krzyzewski's desires in given situations.  That is a big advantage but in and of itself will not be enough to secure playing time.  Dave McClure is going to have to out perform his teammates in practice to see the court come game time.  The jury is out and only time will tell the results, but scrappy Dave McClure will surely be hustling for every rebound and diving for every loose ball once practice starts.