Category Archives: Duke Basketball

Duke set to entertain top prospects Alex Murphy and J.P. Tokoto

Murphy will take an unofficial visit to Duke tomorrow as will J.P. Tokoto. Action shot of Murphy by Rick Crank, property of Rick Crank Photos in conjunction with Blue Devil Nation

DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke Blue Devils Men's Basketball Coaches are set to entertain some of the nations top prospects for unofficial visits tomorrow.  Two of the names which stand out are Alex Murphy and J.P. Tokoto, both wing players in the class of 2012. Both Murphy and Tokoto's team played their last games just moments ago.  Tokoto's Wisconsin Playground Warriors lost in the semi finals while the New England Playaz won their game but they will forfeit moving to the final in that their team had to leave save Murphy.  The Playaz ended the tournament 5-1 while Wisconsin went 3-3.  BDN caught up to Murphy after the game and the rising senior said, "I'll be visiting Duke tomorrow morning with my family."  Murphy said that Duke had a firm place on his list and that they had yet to offer but that will in my opinion change tomorrow.   Murphy also mentioned that he has been hearing from North Carolina and that he would be open to their overtures.  When talking of his game, he mentioned former Duke player Michael Dunleavy.

Tokoto has family locally and they will take trips to both UNC and Duke tomorrow.  Tokoto is in the class of 2012 and he stated that he was a year away from making his final decision.  While Tokoto grew up a North Carolina fan, he is high on Duke but it's obvious he is waiting to see if and when they'll offer. For further details and interviews with both prospects and many more, join Blue Devil Nation Premium for full site access.  It's a good time to join with coverage from the TOC and this weekend Nike Session 4 event from California on the way.  BDN is the only Duke site which covered both events and we'd love for you to join the rest of our satisfied members to talk recruiting.

Top prospect Shabazz Muhammad is high on Duke

Shabazz Muhammad played near the rim during his afternoon game at Duke on Saturday - Photo property of Rick Crank Productions in conjunction with Blue Devil Nation. Stsy tuned for updates and interviews from the Nike event in Los Angeles and the Tournament of Champions in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill

Durham, N.C. - BDN is on the scene this weekend to bring you coverage not only of the TOC, but the Nike EYBL session 3 in Los Angeles.  Look for some great offerings as the week goes on as we begin to churn out information from a busy holiday weekend.  One of the highlights of this weekend's Tournament of Champions event is the play of Shabazz Muhammad, a Las Vegas native with all the tools for success. During yesterday's event Muhammad dazzled the crowd at the Wilson Rec Center on the Duke campus with his play.  After starting slowly, Muhammad warmed up for 30 points on a jump shots and slashing drives.  More impressive is the fact that he plays both ends of the floor well where I counted four blocked shots from his wing  position.  Muhammad glowed when Duke was mentioned after this game as you will hear in this [private] audio -

More to come including scouting reports - [/private]

TOC Live – One on One with Marshall Plumlee

Plumlee scraps in his opening game at the TOC - photo property of Blue Devil Nation and Rick Crank

Chapel Hill, NC - The Blue Devil Nation is covering the Tournament of Champions and Nike EYBL Session 3 this weekend and the reports are starting to roll in.  BDN caught up to Duke prospect Marshall Plumlee last evening and here are his[private] thoughts -

Stay tuned for more action ... [/private]

Blue Devils pay a visit to the President in D.C.

WASHINGTON - This is what you get for ever picking North Carolina, Mr. President.

President Barack Obama on Thursday heaped praise on the Duke men's basketball team for winning the NCAA championship last month - a Blue Devils squad that capped its run in one of the more exciting title games in recent memory, a 61-59 contest against upstart Butler that came down to the final shot.

Obam and former Dukie Reggie Love pictured left welcome the Blue Devils to WashingtonBut standing in the Rose Garden on a sticky day, Obama was still taking heat for (correctly) picking North Carolina, Duke's rival, to win it all in 2009. Duke's coach Mike Krzyzeki bristled a bit at Obama at the time and said the president should stick to fixing the economy. The two have since made up.

"It was nothing personal," Obama joked on Thursday with the coach and team standing behind him. "Just trying to win some money."

A smiling Krzyzewski returned the favor by giving Obama a framed copy of this year's winning bracket - with Duke right in the center.

Obama lauded Duke for growing as a team and being part of their community. After their moment at the White House, the players and coaches were headed to the Pentagon to thank members of the military and then to Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects.

The president commended the coach for his style, quoting Krzyzewski's philosophy as saying a team is like a hand, which can attack with more force when it comes together like a fist. "Very subtle, Coach," Obama said.

The hoops-loving Obama spent time talking to the players and taking photos before the ceremony.

"For him to take the time out to greet us in such a way is just terrific," Krzyzewski said.

A link and a word of thanks to the Blue Devil Nation

The Blue Devil Nation covered Countdown to Craziness to start the basketball season off the season and ended the ride by bringing you timely interviews from players and coaches through the entire NCAA Tournament. Be it the Awards Banquet, the N.C. Pro Am, or the many AAU events, BDN is always front and center to bring you firsthand observations. Premium members enjoy some of the most accurate and timely information around and we enjoy it every step of the way with the exception of rumors 😉 Thanks for being a part of the Blue Devil Nation and please continue to visit our site. -BDN Photo from Countdown to Craziness

Occasionally we like to give a shout out to those who support the Blue Devil Nation with links.  If you are into daily Duke links, check out Duke Report.com.

I've always said that fans make up the Blue Devil Nation and I would like to say thanks to all of you for your visit to our site.  BDN is here to stay and once the dust settles behind the scenes we'll be making a couple of positive changes.  We hope you have enjoyed our coverage be it on the recruiting trail or the road to the National Championship where we followed Duke every step of the way.  It's an exciting time to be a Duke fan, and many of you are still soaking up the good vibes that come with a national title.  Football recruiting is hot with all the coaches beating the trail, and our coverage of recruiting will heat up as summer draws near.  This weekend we cover our sixth straight Tournament of Champions event, where the nation's best high school basketball players are participating.  As always, we'll have some free offerings mixed in with our premium offerings.  Thanks to our members for helping to keep the ball rolling and if you like what you see at BDN, you, too, can support us by joining Blue Devil Nation Premium.  Thanks again for your visit.

Midweek thoughts – Redick, TOC and more

Collins Dad gets the Sixers job and JJ Redick is playing well in Orlando - BDN Photo

Don't look now but a lot of Orlando fans would like to see JJ Redick take over for Vince Carter in tonight's lineup against Boston.  As it turns out when Redick is in the lineup the Magic are outscoring playoff opponents by 20 points.  On the other hand, when Carter takes to the court they are 22 points in the hole.  I doubt you'll see a change take place in the lineup this evening but make no mistake this has been Redick's coming out season.  Redick has raised his stock and jumped through a lot of hoops in Orlando and other NBA teams are taking notice.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the near future in that Redick is becoming a fan favorite while Carter is closing out his career as an underachiever.  Carter has always been a sensational athlete going back to his days at North Carolina, but he has never seemed to buy into the team concept.  I'll never forget my first impression of Vince Carter from back in the day when he was in Chapel Hill.  You can often see Duke and UNC players visiting local malls and there was a day when Carter strolled through the now defunct South Square Mall in Durham.  People were asking for his autograph and he signed them but never looked anyone in the eyes while acting like he had won the nations MVP.  The Tar Heels had just lost in the NCAA Tournament and Carter could only talk about how he would be in the NBA soon.  Perhaps that is why he came off the bench as a freshman under Dean Smith for he always seemed focused on himself.  His freshman campaign was a bust in Chapel Hill in that he came out of high school as one of the most hyped players in his class.  Carter didn't look any of the fans in the eye that day while signing and acted like a a guy who knew he was the man with his arrogant like demeanor.  By contrast, Antwan Jamison  accompanied him and was all smiles showing tremendous character and caring by mingling with fans and children. But the real key is Jamison talked team and returning to UNC to lead them to a title while Carter talked individualism.  People change, but Carter will retire without an NBA ring if he disappears tonight against an active Celtics defense.   Too bad he didn't learn any lessons from the affable Jameson nor did the highly hyped freshman start for Smith in his first season.  The reason for that was that the talented Carter wasn't a team first guy and he seemed to think his flashy dunks were proof enough that he should start.  But Carters troubles are Redicks gain for now and despite what happens in the future with Orlando, Redick seems to have his career at a point where he is taking off.  Carter is wrapping up his legacy and all he will likely have to show for it is scoring a lot of points not that there is anythiong wrong with that.  But in the NBA and at UNC, Carter was never able to help lead a team to a title.  For more on Redick and Carter, go to link from the Orlando Sentinal.

Bob Gibbon's Tournament of Champions kicks off this weekend in the Triangle where games are played on the campuses of Duke, North Carolina and North Carolina State.  The NCAA will likely pass a rule in the near future which would take tournaments away from major college facilities.  A lot of talents has passed through the TOC over the years including LeBron James and Greg Oden to name a few.  This may be your last chance to catch one of the premiere AAU events, so check out the action if you are in town for Memorial Day weekend.  Some of the Duke recruiting targets there include, Shabazz Muhammad, Marshall Plumlee and JP Tokoto.  BDN Premium will be on the scene to bring you our usual great coverage.

Another quick congrats to Doug Collins who is now the coach of the Philadelphia Sixers [76ers].  While Chris will be at Duke this season one cannot help but wonder if he will stroll the sidelines in the NBA one day.  During an in season press conference, Krzyzewski said he could see Chris in the NBA one day and I can too.  Chris is a good x's and o's guy and his lineage and familiarity with the league is a huge benefit.  Rumor has it that he watches just about every NBA game going when not serving Duke.  Chris of course will be in Las Vegas often helping Krzyzewski with Team USA.  Not saying Chris will not stick around nor that more colleges will not be calling, but it's not a stretch to think he will be coaching an NBA team one day.