We will be bringing you audio from Kyle Singler's press conference shortly, where he will join Mike Krzyzewski to give the media their comments on the star players return. We also have an Austin Rivers interview on the way and more, so check back with the Blue Devil Nation around 11:00.
DURHAM, N.C. - Junior Kyle Singler announced on Monday his decision to remain at Duke University for his senior season in 2010-11. Singler, the 2010 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, has averaged 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game during his first three seasons as a Blue Devil.
"I love being here at Duke and am excited about next year," said Singler. "I had two great options in front of me, but I did not want to miss out on all of the great things to come in a senior season."
Singler, a two-time AP honorable mention All-America, averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a junior while leading Duke to a 35-5 record and the school's fourth NCAA Championship. He had 17 games with 20 or more points this past season while posting seven double-doubles. Singler, a first team All-ACC selection, became one of 18 players in school history to score over 700 points in a single season, finishing with 707 points in 2010.
"I am looking forward to coaching Kyle in his senior year and seeing him develop more as a player and as a leader," said head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
If you failed to see or missed the ratings, the Duke-Butler National Championship game was a huge hit for CBS. It's been a decade since any game has garnered the ratings of this seasons title game, yet we are to think all of the folks who tuned in are Duke haters?
The answer to the above question is of course not. Much of the Duke hate spin has come from media types. Even after the Blue Devils won the title, local and national media types were still making excuses and or trying to explain with flawed reasoning why and or how Duke won it all. Do you think other schools would have faced such scrutiny?
Much of the national media has grabbed onto falsehoods past concerning the men's basketball program. As time passes some fans fall prey to this supposed hate train but, in reality, many fans around the country like Duke just fine. Heck, even Sports Illustrated did some research on the issue in their commemorative magazine. No matter who you were media wise, had you followed this team, you would have seen no sign of bad attitudes, pompous arrogance, entitlement or, well, the list is long as you well know. In short, this team was more than a little likable.
Speaking of the Sports Illustrated Commemorative, it is well worth the time to buy it and read it. I'm not quite as fond of the USA Today offering
Yes, you could still hear some media .types whining after the game and I am talking about the national media room at Lucas Oil Arena. Objectivity was is short order in some circles but that is to be expected. One of those who constantly offers their opinion is a local radio host who ate enough crow this season to write a book on the subject of sticking ones foot in their mouth. Has this person mellowed? A little, but it is still painful to listen to one local loud mouth spout off opinions without an ounce of thought.
Everybody wants to know what Kyle Singler will do and I can't tell you, for it looks like it is too close to call. I can tell you that his answer could come before the ink dries on this article. Should the Blue Devils lose Singler, they will have lost four starters and that will be a rebuilding job despite the talent on hand. If he returns, Duke could well earn the nation's top spot going into the season. So yes, it is a big deal.
The Duke Men's Basketball Banquet on Thursday offers fans one last chance to say goodbye to Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek. Trust me, it will be one heck of a show. Let's hope the aforementioned Singler doesn't join the beloved departing senior class.
I doubt you'll see the men's basketball program appear on the television show Myth Busters. But let's just scratch the surface for a moment if you will on what the episode would look like. Duke plays their starters too much for an NCAA Tournament run. Well, Duke rode the legs of their famished players to grab the Sears Cup. Coach K stretched himself thin with Team USA and it has hurt Duke. Uh, tell that to the recruits coming in. Hey, Coach K! Please stretch yourself thinner than ever this season. Duke is too white, right? Where did this one come from? Duke is bringing in four athletes of color next season and just about everybody on the radar is of color, but look, Duke recruits kids not color. Duke can't develop big men. Well, Wojo should be standing atop a chair waving about a towel that would make Crazy Towel Guy envious. Me thinks that Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and the brothers Plumlee were collectively the bruise brothers. We could go on, but what's the use? Media hate for Duke is alive and well despite a team of extreme character players who epitomized togetherness.
Recruiting? It's that time of year around here. We will continue to cover the AAU and other tournaments this season. Andrew Slater and myself will be joined on occasion by some interns to bring you the best coverage available for our growing list of members. Patrick Cacchio and I will kick off our football recruiting coverage this week as well. The bottom line is that being a member of Blue Devil Nation Premium is to be a part of all the latest happenings often before they happen. Want to know who the next prospect to sign will be? Do you want coverage that set the bar last season? Would you like to participate in the most rational Duke related members-only message board on the web? Try us out, for we are certain that once you have, you'll be with us for a long time. At $100.00 per year, it's like having a daily Duke fix for about a quarter a day. And our members will be the first to tell you that this is the place to be for premium coverage.
Lastly, I would like to thank not only our members, but our followers for making the Blue Devil Nation such an awesome site. We loved tweeting from every game in Cameron as well as from the NCAA Tournament. We were there every step of the way in a magical season, for that is what we are about. We are hands on at BDN, wanting to be your eyes and we know what you want to see. We look forward to serving the Blue Devil Nation for a long time and we are constantly trying to make this site better.
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DURHAM - The Duke Men's Basketball team was honored by the city of Durham on the American Tobacco campus on Thursday.
Several Duke fans gathered in the converted former warehouses to honor their Duke Blue Devils for winning the 2010 National Championship.
Chants of "Let's go Duke," rang through a beautiful spring day in the City of Medicine as the band and cheerleaders helped get the crowd going.
Coach Krzyzewski led his troops out as Durham Mayor Bill Bell and other dignitaries gave homage to a team that Krzyzewski called the most together team he'd ever coached.
After Krzyzewski sang the praises of his team and Durham, seniors Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek spoke to the gathering of smiling faces, most all of them wearing royal "Duke" blue.
When junior Final Four Most Outstanding Player Kyle Singler was mentioned, chants of "One more year," were heard. Singler is undecided on whether he will enter the NBA Draft with the deadline fast approaching. When asked by Mayor Bill Bell if he was ready to make an announcement to make, Singler smiled and declined.
Several signs will go up on Durham highways stating, "Home of the Duke University Blue Devils 2010 NCAA Men's National Champions."
The Blue Devils then made their way over to the DAP home of the Durham Bull's the defending AAA Champion who were playing their home opener. Scheyer, Thomas and Zoubek all threw out pitches and the team was honored during the third inning.
In winning the title, Duke gave a gift to its fans that keeps on giving as time goes on. It's clear that Blue Devil faithful are still basking in the glow of victory, each one on this day immersed in sunlight surrounded by Duke blue.
Just below you can hear the celebration in its entirety. Coach K and the team speak at the sixteen minute mark for those who want just that.
Just press play - (see photos below, more to come on our Blue Devil Nation Facebook site)
"The 2010 NCAA Champion Duke Blue Devils will be honored at the City of Champions Celebration on Thursday, April 15 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Seniors Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek will also throw out ceremonial first pitches before the Durham Bulls game against Norfolk.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. the Duke men’s basketball team and coaching staff will be joined by Duke’s cheerleaders and pep band. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski will make remarks as well as Scheyer, Thomas and Zoubek. Durham Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell and Durham County Commission Chairman Rev. Michael Page will present proclamations.
The championship celebration is a collaboration between the Chamber, DCVB, the City and the County, the Durham Bulls and American Tobacco to show their strong collective support of the teams that help make Durham known as the “City of Champions.”
At 6:30 p.m. across the street, the Night of National Champions continues at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park when the pre-game fun begins before the Bulls take on the Norfolk Tides.
Durham Bulls’ Manager Charlie Montoyo will be presented his award from Baseball America for being named the 2009 Minor League Manager of the Year. Montoyo, who has won three division titles, a Governors’ Cup Championship and a National Title in his three seasons with the Bulls, is the first Durham manager to win the award since the Bulls moved to Triple-A in 1998.
During the third inning, the entire Duke Basketball team will take the field giving fans in the Triangle the opportunity to congratulate them on their National Title. The National Championship trophy will then be placed on the main concourse where fans can have their picture taken."
HAMPTON - BDN continues it's coverage of the Nike EYBL with another prospect interview, this time with Justin Anderson, a player who already has a college ready body at a very young age. Anderson [6-5 Rockville, MD., Montrose Christian, class of 2012, ranked 14th by in his class by Prep Stars] took time to talk about his take on Josh Hairston and his game. During the interview he stated that Duke was his dream school growing up and then talked in depth about the recruiting process and where he stands at this time.
If somebody had never seen you play, describe your game in your own words.
I would say enthusiastic. I love to defend which is something a lot of people really don't like to do. I just love getting the easy buckets just to get my team going. I'm all about my team.
How long have you played for Montrose Christian?
I have been at Montrose Christian two years now and I will likely play for them again this season.
You're teammates with Josh Hairston. Can you describe his game for me?
He's [private] really good. Josh can score the basketball in many different ways. He can put it on the floor, he can rebound and shoot over guards. He can rebound and tip it back in or dunk. He can do so many things. I haven't played like a scorer like him in awhile.
Where do you currently stand in the recruiting process?
I really haven't got deep into it yet. I like Maryland, Duke North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma. I really haven't got to deep into it yet because I have two more years.
Which school is recruiting you the hardest?
Maryland is the most aggressive and they've been on me a while. I like Coach Williams and his intensity.
What other schools are looking at you?
Duke has been in contact with me just from coming through and seeing Josh [Hariston who will be a freshman this coming season] and they're a really good program. If there is anybody who deserves that championship this year, it's them and they were the two best teams in the championship and I just love how Coach K runs his team and let's them play. And North Carolina, they had a bad year but Coach Roy is a good coach and they'll bounce back and they have good coaches to be around. Just being around Kendall [Marshall] and the decision he made and I may possibly consider them as well.
Did you have a dream school growing up?
My dream school has always been Duke and the reason why is when I was playing video games I would be Duke. They always had a three point shooter so I would pick Duke. I love beating everybody as Duke on the NCAA video games. As I get older, it's [the recruiting process] starting to become much more intense. You don't just go out and pick someone, becasue you never know what they are really like until you see them up close.
Who is the lead assistant from Duke?
Coach James. He played for Coach [Stu] Vetter. He comes up and is authentic. He may say hello and talk to my parents about maybe coming down and seeing the campus and all but nothing official.
Your parents will play a big role in your decision?
Oh, most definitely. The reason why is because they were the ones to get me in this position with sacrifices and all. My mom doesn't want me to go too far from home but if that's what it takes it's what I have to do.
Your goals for this event would be?
Just to win out. We took one loss but that will motivate us to win these next games.
What are you looking for in a school?
Just a school that I can use my athleticism. I'd rather go to a school that runs up and down a lot and slows it down when they have to.
Thanks for your time and good luck in your future endeavors.
Thank you. [/private]
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