Category Archives: Duke Basketball

Harrison Barnes has been consistent throughout the recruiting process

The Duke staff wants to work with Harrison Barnes - BDN Photo
The Duke staff wants to work with Harrison Barnes - BDN Photo

My original plan was to run all of the interviews we have done with Harrison Barnes for Blue Devil Nation Premium [subscription service] on our free board this week.  After reading Barnes comments from eight different interviews, we decided to just break it down for you in that his answers have been incredibly consistent.

Despite the fact that names like Duke, Kansas, Oklahoma and UNC are some of college hoops best and that they are all in the running for Barnes services, the young man did not grow up watching college basketball.  He was instead reared on NBA basketball and that is where he learned a lot of his skills.

That means he didn't really understand the Duke-UNC rivalry unti this past year and that places like the Dean Dome and Cameron Indoor Stadium were all new to him.

BDN covered Barnes during seven AAU events and we personally saw the coveted prosepect play in 24 or more games since the first time we saw him.  That first time was during the NBAPA Top 100 Camp in 2008.  Up until that time Barnes had played with All Iowa Attack and they quite simply did not attend the major events.

That led Barnes to start playing with Howard Pulley [Minnesota] and that allowed the media types and scouts to see what all the hype was about.  Howard Pulley is in a rebulding mode, so Barnes would pretty much carry the load, but he is more than willing to do that anytime, any place, any where.

BDN has learned and seen firsthand that Barnes will not back down from a challenge and that his confidence is rarely shaken.  Even when tired Barnes leaves every ounce of energy on the court no matter what the situation.  There were a couple of occasions where Barnes would handle the ball during crunch time during this past seasons NBAPA Top 100 Camp.

Each time the best prospects in the land would clear out for him and each time Barnes finished the deal against talented competition.  But Barnes is more than just a scorer.  He is always around the ball and plays to his teammates as much as possible.  Observers would have seen more of this had Barnes played with better teammates on the AAU circuit.

Anyway, back to the interviews and Barnes consistency for it could well be telling come Friday.  Barnes has maintained since day one that he would not make a decision until he had made all of his visits.  Guess what?  He took all of them.  You see, Barnes is methodical in everything he does.

Unlike some kids his age, Barnes seems to be an old soul in that his demeanor is always professional.  During all of my views on and off the court, Barnes is always on his best behavior and you never see him, cutting up in an animated way.  He is aware of his surroundings and seems tuned in to what he wants.

When sorting through the numerous interview questions it became clear that Barnes has stuck to his word in most every way.  He's not the type of kid who'll rush into anything without disecting all of the facts from fiction and evaluating the pro's and con's. That's why he took each and every visit.

The one thing that has changed in his recruitment is that the Barnes camp decided to speak through certain media outlets where he has kept a diary.  As of a couple of months ago, Barnes would not take calls from the numerous schools sites and he refused to talk about any of the details of his visits.

I have dealt with many kids during similar processes and I can tell you that Harrison Barnes has a good poker face and anyone who claims they have penetrated that are fooling themselves.

Maybe that's why the makers of Prozac are apt to get a boom in their business come Friday, for many a fan will have been absorbed by rumors and supposed leanings that change every ten minutes on the Internet.

I mean, some depression is guaranteed, especially if Barnes chooses Duke or UNC for that rivaly is unmatched in collegiate sports.

But the bottom line is that this decision will likely stay a secret until the moment he announces.  While that may be tedious for our instant gratificatin society that wants to know it all right now, it's kind of refreshing.  I mean, when is the last time a player got his day to shine in the light at his bequest?

Blue Devil Nation will have more on Barnes in the coming hours, so stay tuned.  For more on Barnes, join Blue Devil Nation Premium and discuss the matter on the fastest growing premium message board around.  Once a member you can discuss the latest happenings with knowlegable fans and insiders.

Former Duke players will return in droves for Coach K’s 1000th game


Coach K instructs current players
Coach K instructs current players

DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke Varsity Club will host the biggest men’s basketball reunion in the history of the program February 12-13 when the Blue Devils celebrate head coach Mike Krzyzewski's 1,000th game coaching at Duke and his 30 years heading the program, plus the 70 years of legendary basketball in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Over 300 former players, managers, coaches and trainers, spanning the past 70+ years of Duke Basketball, will be invited back for the celebration.

The weekend will include a reception hosted by Duke University Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White, a public recognition of the entire group at the Saturday, Feb. 13 Duke-Maryland game (1:00 p.m. - CBS) and an after-game party with the current Duke coaching staff.

“This will be an exciting weekend and a great way to celebrate the history of Duke Basketball by recognizing and honoring all of the people that have made it so successful – the players, managers, coaches and trainers,” said White.

“The Varsity Club has a great history of hosting fantastic reunions and events to celebrate all of our 26 intercollegiate programs at Duke,” said director Mary Dinkins.  “This may just be the biggest we’ve ever had and it comes at a perfect time in having all of our generations together again at their home away from home – Duke University.”

Duke, ranked ninth in the AP preseason poll and eighth in the Coaches' poll, opens the 2009-10 season on Friday, Nov. 13 against UNC Greensboro in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The season opener will tip at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports South.

BDN Premium Subscribers chat set for tonight

Duke fans hope Harrison Barnes chooses Duke - Phto is copyrighted by BDN Photo and cannot be used without permission from BDN.
Duke fans hope Harrison Barnes chooses Duke - Photo is copyrighted by BDN Photo and cannot be used without permission from BDN.

We'll have the BDN Chat Room open for premium subscribers from 9:30 to 10:00 eastern time this evening.  I wonder what we'll talk about?  LOL!  Well, it's open for any topic but Harrison Barnes will likely dominate the conversation.  It's a great time to join Blue Devil Nation Premium where you'll recieve full site access.  **New members, keep in mind that you must register for the message board separately.  Also, our message boards are private, meaning you must be a paying subscriber to participate or read any of the posts.

Watzone’s Monday Musings – Football, Barnes decision, hoops tips off for real

Harrison Barnes calls for the ball during the NBAPA Top 100 Camp
Harrison Barnes calls for the ball during the NBAPA Top 100 Camp

Well, if you have followed this or any other Duke site closely, you know that the nation's top rated prospect Harrison Barnes will make his collegiate choice this Friday.  In this week's Monday Musings we take a look at his pending decision, Duke Football and the start of the regular basketball season -

Devils no match for Tar Heels - Make no mistake that Duke Football has been a pleasant surprise this season, but losing to your rival is always painful.  Despite paltry offensive production, Duke was in the game in the fourth quarter against UNC and a couple of better thrown passes and a stop or two late in the game and Duke could have stole a win.

It's really tough to see any positives from the 19-6 loss to the team eight miles down the road.  On the way to the game, the Duke buses came in just behind me on US 15-501 and got stalled in traffic.  The irony is that Duke's offense stalled as well just over two hours later and the hopes of going to 4-1 in the conference were suddenly gone.

It does't get any easier for Duke Football - After getting beat up in the game, Duke must regroup in order to face the nation's seventh ranked team in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  Last season, Duke's offense looked just as bad against the Jacket's front, so all eyes will be looking to see if they can move the ball.  Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson turned down the Duke job despite being offered more money, but Duke got the right fit in David Cutcliffe.  Still, there is no secret that Johnson has little respect for the Duke program and that he will turn his wishbone loose in an effort to squash Duke's hopes of a post season invitation.

 

Kelly makes one of just a few catches this past Saturday - BDNP
Kelly makes one of just a few catches this past Saturday - BDNP

The basketball season officially gets under way - The countdown to tip off ends this Friday as the Duke Men's Basketball team will open their season against UNC-Greensboro in Cameron Indoor Stadium.  This is without a doubt one of the most curious teams Krzyzewski has had in his thirty years.  There is little guard depth, yet lots of front court bodies to work with and yes, take it to the bank, you'll see some zone defense this season.

Duke will be led by senior Jon Scheyer and All American selection, junior Kyle Singler this season.  But it's the production they receive elsewhere that will be watched.  You can certainly depend on Nolan Smith to have his best season in a Duke uniform, but there are some questions as to who will be fourth, fifth and sixth offensive options.

Harrison Barnes set to make his collegiate choice - BDN has been following the Harrison Barnes recruitment closer than any other Duke site on the Internet.  We were there from the start when Barnes first received his offer shortly after the 2008 NBAPA Top 100 Camp.  This past season alone our staff has seen Harrison Barnes play in 23 games, so we have more than just a little grip on what he can do.

All this week, we'll recap Barnes past and bring it up to the day of his decision.  We'll kick it all off with a detailed scouting report and will of course re-visit our many interviews we've had with Barnes.  Our premium boards have been hopping and rumors about his recruitment are a dime a dozen.

So, stay tuned to BDN for the latest on Barnes and the best analysis available.