Category Archives: Duke Basketball

Duke Basketball

Duke Headlines 2020 Battle for Atlantis Field

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- The Duke Blue Devils, which claimed the 2012 Battle 4 Atlantis, will make a return trip next season to the prestigious Thanksgiving week event.

The 2020 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis field was announced Friday by the tournament, and the eight teams descending on Paradise Island in the Bahamas November 25-27, 2020, are Duke, Creighton, Memphis, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Utah, West Virginia and Wichita State.

Of the eight teams in the elite field, three have National Championships to their credit  -- Duke (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015), Ohio State (1960) and Utah (1944) -- with the field combining for 202 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 35 Final Four berths.

The bracket will be announced at a later date.

In the team's last visit to the Bahamas, the Blue Devils won the title with wins over Minnesota, VCU and Louisville.

Duke owns a 100-18 record with 20 titles when playing in-season tournaments under head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Including a title in this season's 2K Empire Classic, the Blue Devils have claimed an in-season tournament title in five of the last six seasons.

Duke Basketball

Vernon Carey Named ACC Rookie of the Week

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke freshman Vernon Carey Jr., was named the ACC Freshman of the Week and also earned Co-Player of the Week honors after leading the Blue Devils to the 2K Empire Classic title last week.

Carey totaled 51 points and 22 rebounds for No. 1 Duke, which defeated Cal and Georgetown last week at Madison Square Garden to claim the 2K Empire Classic crown. Carey extended his streak of double-doubles to four, including a monumental 31-point, 12-rebound, 4-block effort against Cal in the semifinals, and was named the MVP of the 2K Empire Classic.

A native of Southwest Ranches, Fla., Carey scored 31 points in 22 minutes, marking the fewest minutes played in a 30-point game in Duke history -- surpassing Shane Battier's 31 points in 24 minutes against Davidson on 12/21/99. It was just the sixth 30-10-4 game in Duke history, and third by a freshman, joining Marvin Bagley III and Zion Williamson. In Friday's Empire Classic title game, Carey scored 20 points with 10 rebounds as the Blue Devils held off Georgetown, 81-73.

Carey, who was 19-of-32 from the field (.594) for the week, ranks fifth the ACC in scoring (18.3) and is tied for fourth in rebounding (9.2), while his .609 shooting percentage is tied for the ACC lead. Georgia Tech's Michael Devoe earned ACC Player of the Week honors, along with Carey.

The Blue Devils (6-0) host Stephen F. Austin (4-1) Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game can be seen live on the Regional Sports Networks, including Fox Sports South.

Duke Basketball, Monday Musings

Duke Hoops Monday Musings

Vernon Carey Coming Out Party

After four consecutive games where he tallied double-figure points and rebounds, Vernon Carey Jr. has officially arrived as one of the nation's best players. Once Carey started to take his game inside first, it has allowed him to be a stat stuffer in the Blue Devils 6-0 start. Carey leads the team in scoring and rebounding and has shown the ability to knock down various outside shots with his great touch for a big man. He is also realizing his ability to clog the lane on defense. Look for the staff to push Carey to be even more dominant moving forward.

New York Trip Beneficial for Duke

The Blue Devils took care of business with two wins over California and Georgetown during this past weeks 2K Empire Classic. In the first game, the Duke defense smothered Cal. In the second game, Duke seemed a little tired at first while learning the lesson every team will come after you hard when wearing the four letters on your chest. Duke was able to gather itself and play a complete second half defeating a Georgetown team that was playing its best basketball of the season. The team grew up a lot while defining the roles of certain players on the trip which is a major positive moving forward.

A Sign of Things to Come?

During the trip to New York, it became evident that Cassius Stanley and Wendell Moore were seeing more minutes. They did not disappoint and at times played off one another. In the win over Georgetown Stanley tallied 21 points and 8 rebounds in 27 minutes. Moore 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 36 minutes. More importantly, they showed signs of growing chemistry between themselves and teammates. If the two versatile freshmen continue their growth while playing efficient and together good things will follow.

Next - Getting Matthew Hurt Untracked

Anyone who saw Hurt in high school knows he can be a solid contributor on the court. I think Hurt has struggled a bit with the physicality of the game as he grows into his body. Sometimes a player needs to go inside first and then float out to get it going. Some buckets near the rim while working on rebounding could open his game up. It is not a question of if things will come together for the talented freshmen, but when.

Duke Still #1

The Duke Blue Devils will remain the top ranked team in the country when the polls come out later today. Duke takes on Stephen F. Austin tomorrow evening in Cameron and then entertain Winthrop this Friday at 7:00. The Eagles are better than their 3-3 record suggests (likely 4-3 after taking on Pfeifer on Monday) and likes to play a slow down style. They have a 2 point loss to St. Marys on the road

Next up - Stephen F. Austin

Duke will take on Stephen F. Austin which is off to a 4-1 start including a 30 point win over Durhams' own North Carolina Central. Guiard Kevon Harris leads the way for the Lumberjacks who have four players averaging double-figure scoring. Tomorrow night's game has a dreadful 9:00 tip off time in Cameron.

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Hoops Signs Talented Class


DURHAM, N.C. – Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has announced the signing of six future Blue Devils during the NCAA's early-signing period. The class is ranked No. 2 according to ESPN, which would give Duke's signing classes a top-two ranking in each of the last seven seasons.

Jaemyn Brakefield, Henry Coleman III, Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, D.J. Steward and Mark Williams will enter the Duke program for the 2020-21 season. Duke's previous top-ranked classes in the ESPN 100 came in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, while the 2016 and 2019 classes were ranked No. 2.

Jaemyn Brakefield – 6-8 – 215 – Forward – Jackson, Miss. – Huntington Prep (W.Va.)

  • A five-star power forward
  • Ranked as the No. 23 overall player in ESPN 100's rankings for the class of 2020
  • Ranked as the No. 1 player in the state of West Virginia and the No. 5 player at his position in the ESPN 100
  • Played for Team Phenom University in the EYBL with fellow Duke signee Jalen Johnson and averaged 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists last summer with two double-doubles
  • Committed to Duke on October 4, 2019
  • Chose the Blue Devils over Louisville, Michigan and Auburn, among others

Henry Coleman III – 6-7 – 210 – Forward – Richmond, Va. – Trinity Episcopal School

  • A four-star power forward
  • Ranked as the No. 42 player overall in ESPN 100's rankings for the class of 2020
  • Also ranked as the No. 5 player in the state of Virginia and the No. 8 at his position in the ESPN 100
  • Averaged 18.2 points and 6.4 rebounds this past summer on the Nike EYBL circuit for Team Loaded
  • Is senior class president at Trinity Episcopal School
  • Committed to Duke on September 27, 2019
  • Chose the Blue Devils over Michigan, NC State, Virginia Tech and Ohio State, among others

Jalen Johnson – 6-8 – 215 – Forward – Glendale, Wisc. – IMG Academy (Fla.)

  • A five-star small forward
  • Ranked as the No. 4 overall player in ESPN 100's rankings for the class of 2020
  • Ranked No. 1 in the state of Florida and No. 1 at his position in the ESPN 100
  • Led Nicolet HS in Glendale, Wisc., to a state championship last season before transferring to IMG Academy for his senior campaign
  • Played for Team Phenom University in the EYBL with fellow Duke signee Jaemyn Brakefield and averaged 17.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists last summer with five double-doubles
  • Committed to Duke on July 4, 2019
  • Chose the Blue Devils over Arizona, Kentucky and Wisconsin, among others

Jeremy Roach – 6-2 – 180 – Guard – Leesburg, Va. – Paul VI HS

  • A five-star point guard
  • Ranked as the No. 15 player overall in ESPN 100's ranking for the class of 2020
  • Also ranked second in the state of Virginia and ranked third overall at his position in the ESPN 100
  • Missed his junior season of high school (ACL)
  • Played for Team Takeover in the Nike EYBL and averaged 6.6 points and 3.1 assists in the summer of 2018
  • Has won a pair of gold medals with USA Basketball – at the 2017 FIBA Americas U-16 and the 2018 FIBA U-17 World Cup
  • Was the starting point guard for the U-17 team and averaged 6.4 points and 2.7 assists
  • The first five-star player in the class of 2020 to announce his commitment, committing to Duke on May 8, 2019
  • Chose the Blue Devils over Kentucky, North Carolina and Villanova, among others

D.J. Steward – 6-3 – 175 – Guard – Chicago, Ill. – Whitney Young HS

  • A five-star combo guard
  • Ranked as the No. 26 player overall in ESPN 100's ranking for the class of 2020
  • Also ranked second in the state of Illinois and ranked seventh overall at his position in the ESPN 100
  • Averaged 24.1 points and shot 41 percent from three-point range in the summer of 2019 for Team MeanStreets on the Nike EYBL circuit
  • Attended the same high school as former Blue Devil Jahlil Okafor
  • Committed to Duke on September 18, 2019
  • Chose the Blue Devils over North Carolina, Louisville, Indiana and Texas, among others

Mark Williams – 7-0 – 230 – Center – Norfolk, Va. – IMG Academy (Fla.)

  • A four-star center
  • Ranked as the No. 30 overall player in ESPN 100's rankings for the class of 202
  • Ranked No. 4 in the state of Florida and as the No. 5 center in the ESPN 100
  • Played three years at Norfolk Academy before transferring to IMG Academy for his senior season
  • On the Nike EYBL circuit, played for Team Boo Williams and averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting 64 percent from the field
  • Improved his numbers to 23.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 76 percent shooting at the Peach Jam
  • His older sister, Elizabeth, played for Duke from 2011-15 and now plays for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream
  • Committed to Duke on November 2, 2019
  • Chose the Blue Devils over UCLA and Michigan, among others.
Duke Basketball

Random Duke Hoops Thoughts – Empire Edition

A few notes on Duke Hoops going into the 2K Empire Classic.

Vernon Carey Efficiency

Vernon Carey Jr is connecting on 62% of his shots this early season. He scored a career-high of 20 points in the Blue Devils win over Georgia State. More importantly, Carey has recorded back to back double-doubles. Carey is still learning to play inside, but the versatile young big man is capable of taking his game to another level if recent success in the paint continues.

Cal -- Better Than Advertised

The Golden Bears were picked towards the bottom of the Pac-12 this season but Cal comes into the Duke game 4-0. First year coach Mark Fox already has the program going in the right direction and they own an early win over UNLV. The Bears are led by a tough sophomore shooting guard in Matt Bradley (20.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg). Duke holds a 1-2 all time mark versus the Bears. One of the more deflating Duke upset losses in history came against the Jason Kidd led Cal team in the NCAA Tournament.

2K Empire Classic Past

Duke is no stranger to this event where the Blue Devils are 10-2. The only two losses the first two games against Stanford and Connecticut in 1999. There were a lot of questions after the 0-2 start but Duke rebounded to go 29-5 on the season. The Blue Devils are 10-0 since that time in what was called the Coaches vs Cancer Classic when the tournament started.

Duke Labeled a 19 Point Favorite

The Blue Devils have been tabbed a 19.5 favorite in tonight's game with Cal which tips at 9:00 on ESPN 2.

If Duke Wins

If the Blue Devils defeat Cal tonight, they would then face the winner of Georgetown (3-1) and #22 Texas (4-0). Some familiar names on the two possible opponents are Omer Yurtseven who transferred from N.C. State and is leading the Hoyas in scoring and rebounding. Texas leading scorer is Matt Coleman III whom Duke kicked the wheels on for a good time on the recruiting front. Texas is a 6.5 favorite over Georgetown coached. Shaka Smart who coaches the Longhorns once led Virginia Commonwealth to an upset win over Duke in the NCAA Tournament.

Duke Basketball

Duke is ranked #1

The Duke Blue Devils have moved into the top spot in the new poll. This marks the 20th season a Mike Krzyzewski coached team has been ranked in the top spot.

The next closest coach to that mark in history is John Wooden of UCLA with 12.

Since the 1997-98 season, Duke No. 1 in the A.P. poll 88 weeks which is 49 more times than their closest competitor, rival North Carolina.

When Krzyzewski hits the court in New York for the 2K Empire Classic this Thursday evening, he will have coached the nation's top-rated team for the 251st time in his Duke career.

1 - Duke

2 - Louisville

3 - Michigan State

4 - Kansas

5 - North Carolina.