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Q & A with Duke PG Nolan Smith

[private]The Blue Devil Nation brings you an afternoon question and answer session with Duke point guard Nolan Smith -

Hey Nolan, how are you!  So, you're ready to get back on the court?

Yeah, yeah.  Since the loss at Michigan we've been practicing hard and competing.  Now it's time to get back out there and take care of the opponent.

I see you guys were practicing in Cameron instead of the practice facility today.  Was that to get acclimated to the environment again?

Yes, it's better to practice where you are going to play to get acclimated to the rims again.

You've had a long time to think about the Michigan loss ...

As a mature team we are ready to bounce back and play the way we did against Purdue.  Having the days off

Smith addresses the media
Smith addresses the media

we got back to the fundamentals.  It's going to help a lot - we've worked hard.  We had some regular team practices for an hour and a half or two hours.  We've had some individual workouts.  The last two days have been team practices after we've been done with exams.

Can you talk of the progress you've made after being a backup last season and now starting?

It took a long summer with effort and hard work.  I'm proud of myself, I've really stuck to my game and hopefully we can make a run towards the national championship.  My team is proud of me and I plan on getting better as the year goes along.  This summer I went to Philadelphia and worked out with Michael Beasley and De Andre Jordan.  We spent days lifting and playing in the morning sna evenings.  I left my family for the summer to be with them, but that's the kind of sacrifice you have to make sometimes.  I'm very confident.  I'm confident with the ball, my defense and everything I do.

Do you get along with Greg Paulus or is it a rivalry between you two?

I get along great with Greg.  We push each other in practice.  This last week has really been a battle for both of us.  We both want to get better going into this ACC and last couple of non conference games.  We are pushing each other to get better and Greg has been playing great in practice.  I think you will see a lot of him come the UNC-Asheville game.

Has the team gotten together after the Michigan loss and said, okay we've got to get it together or get past this?

Yes, we had about a two hour meeting as a team to take a look at ourselves and talk about certain things from that game and standards we have to live up to.  We can;'t take days off - we've learned a lot even without playing this past week.

Looking back on the game, what was it that went wrong?

Our number one standard, defense and rebounding.  They did whatever they wanted - they drove us, they wanted it more that day.

Are the exam periods mentally draining?

A little bit.  We have like two exams right after practice and then you might stay up until three in the morning.  That's something all of us have to do as a student athlete.  You can't play if you don't get the good grades, so ...

Do you have a PG you model yourself after?

Chris Paul.  He's incredible the way he goes through traffic.  He has the confidence that he can blow by anybody anytime.

You had mentioned Micheal Beasley earlier.  Do you stay in touch with him?

Yeah, we talk all the time.  He's in Miami.  He's actually going to be at the New Jersey game, he plays after us that night so I will probably get to see him and he'll get to see me play for the first time.  It's probably going to be exciting.  He's my little brother, but now he's like my big brother since he's at the higher level.  So I'm the little brother now.  He stays in my ear.

How far do you feel like you want to be as a college player?

I feel like I'm very far away.  I made a big jump from last year, but I know there is a lot of things I can do better - a lot of plays I can make that I'm not making right now.  As the year goes along I watching film. Going into my junior season and my senior season I expect to be a better player.

Coming to BDN Premium, interviews with Scheyer, Singler and Henderson.
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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Q & A with Duke commitment Ryan Kelly

In our latest interview, Ryan Kelly covered many interesting subjects.  Among those subjects were, John Wall's recruitment, Cameron Indoor Stadium, his upcoming game versus Christ School and Mason Plumlee,  Coach K  and his progression as a player.

It was a big win, beating Greensboro Day who came into the game 10-0 ...

It was a big step for us as a team.  Our first seven games were ... I don;t want to say they were pre season but that was a big step in our schedule to come out with a win as we go into Christmas tournaments.

You were a bit off from the outside tonight, but you took it inside in the second half ...

Yes (acknowledged)

Is that something you did on your own?

You've got to find where you can score with the ball.  For me the shots weren't hitting early on outside and in the second half I took it inside and after some success there I moved outside a game.  The versatility of my game ... that's something I've worked on as I continue to be able to knock those shots down consistently I'll get better.

Coach Billerman said he talks to the Duke coaches once a week.  Have you been or do you stay in contact with the Duke staff? [private]

Yeah, I will talk to them after the games.  I'll let them know about my season and talk of how theirs is going.  They're doing pretty well ... it was a tough loss (Michigan).

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

Well, one is to win a state championship and we are going to try as hard as we can to win every game.  But we are going to try and win a state championship and hopefully in these Christmas tournaments, we'll come out with some championships there.  We need to keep out confidence up.

Talking about state champions, there is a team you might run into that you play on the 20th (December) in Christ School.  Of course, you will be going up against Mason Plumlee which will be a big thrill for Duke fans.  Are you looking forward to the match up?

Yeah.  I can't wait, they're considered the best team in 3-A.  Hopefully some will consider us to be right there too.  They are obviously a heck of a team and we need to show some people something.  We have the ability to do that, so I'm looking forward to it.  Obviously Mason is a great player and I look forward to matching up against him and his team.  So, I can't wait.

Is there a lot of pressure off of you now that you have committed to Duke?  Is it cool that you're a Blue Devil and are you glad the process is over?

Yeah, it's really cool.  The pressure is off and I don't have people wondering where I will be.  At the same time there is pressure to succeed.  I need to keep getting better to play at Duke as any high school senior needs to play over at Duke.

Has the staff told you to work on any part of your game?

Yeah ... continue to work on my defense.  Tonight I had a big man, but they want me to be able to guard smaller guys out front a guy smaller, a guard.  That's what Kyle Singler does well.   To continue to get stronger.  I need to obviously get stronger in the weight room, but to get stronger with rebounding.  I think it's important to keep getting better with what you are good at.  You can't just level off.

So, it's safe to say you feel comfortable in most every aspect of the game?

Yes sir.

You came out on defense and looked really good in doing so.  You play defense really well out front for your size.  I was surprised to see how you blanketed some of those guys out front.

I continue to work on it and lateral quickness is something that doesn't come very natural for me.  A lot of that comes in thee weight room and working on zig zag drills in practice and we work pretty hard on that.  We held them to 40 points and they're an 80 point per game team.  So, we did a pretty good job.

You've played with John Wall before in the AAU circuit and heads up during the season.   He's a kid Duke is recruiting real hard.  Do you ever talk to him or put a bug in his ear?

I haven't talked to him in a little while.  I was planning on going to see him, but I have talked to him in a little while.  Obviously. he's a heck of a player.  He made summer ball so much better for me.  He's a great guy and a good athlete and I wish the best for him where he goes.

It's safe to say that you would want to play with him?

Yeah, for sure.

I guess in the end he'll be a tough get ...

He's got a decision to make like I had to make and it's not easy.  He's taking his time which is really great for him.

Do you ever talk to some of the prospects who have committed?

I'm focusing a lot on what I'm doing here.  Obviously, I ha a lot of time to talk to Mason.  That was with USA Basketball.  I'm looking forward to playing against him.  They are undefeated to, so I will see how it is going for him.  I know they are all great guys and I'm looking forward to seeing him there.  I get over to Duke as much as I can.  It's ... the bright lights come on when you go to Cameron Indoor Stadium whether it's Duke or you are playing for somebody else.  You have top get as comfortable as you can there and going in as much as you can is the best way to do that.

What do you think about Coach K?

Aw, I can't wait.  He's a great coach, one of the best ever.

Do you want to play in the NBA?

Sure, it's my goal.  I think any basketball player should have that goal.

I appreciate your time and we'll see you agains as the season goes on.

Okay!  Thanks for coming.

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Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Ryan Kelly and Ravenscroft too much for Greensboro Day

[private]Two of the State of North Carolina's top private schools met on the court Friday evening when Ravenscroft hosted traditional power Greensboro Day.  Ravenscroft entered the contest at 7-0 while Greensboro Day sported a 10-0 record and something had to give.

Greensboro Day came out of the gate playing like a well oiled machine, extending their defense and pushing the Raven guards out.   Javon Mitchell led them early on hitting key back to back buckets to keep his team ahead.

Meanwhile, Duke commitment Ryan Kelly kept his team in the game with 10 points and 7 boards in the first half.  Kelly struggled a bit with his outside shot, and played almost entirely on the perimeter early on.

You might say the two teams were feeling each other out and the Ravens were never quite settled in early.  Every time they'd mount a comeback, Day would hit a timely bucket.  Greensboro Day went on to take a 21-20 lead into the half, but Kelly did help bring his team back into the game just before intermission.

When the teams came back out for the second half, it was all Ravenscroft.  A three point shot gave them the lead.  But Greensboro Day  is a well coached bunch and it appeared as if they would trade baskets and were unwilling to go away.  That's before Kelly started to really  make his presence felt.

Kelly made a key steal and then the assist for a bucket.  The next time down the court he threw down a dunk giving his team a 34-30 lead.  The next thing you know it was 38-30 and Billerman screamed at his team to go into a spread offense with 54 seconds left in the third quarter as he realized the tide had turned.

Billerman had rested Kelly briefly during that time, but as the fourth quarter got underway, Kelly returned and the Ravens coasted.  A Kelly dunk gave them their largest lead of the game at 46-36 and the Ravens stretched that to a 56-42 margin when the final buzzer sounded.  In the end Ravenscroft came out the only undefeated team going to 8-0, but the feeling here is they haven't seen the last of Greensboro Day (10-1) this season.

"It was a good win.  I thought we played extremely good defense in the second half.  To hold them to 42 points for the game when they were averaging 80 showed the type of defense we can play.  In the second half we started to go into Ryan Kelly some and that certainly opened things up for our entire team," said former Duke Basketball player Kevin Billerman.

Billerman was without the services of his son Sean who plays guard, but they continued to groom Luke Davis.  "Sean dislocated his knee cap.  We went to Dr. Lyman Smith a former Duke football player who is an orthopedic surgeon.  Lyman felt like he was lucky he didn't tear his ACL.  We look forward to getting him back," said Billerman

When asked of the play of Kelly, he stated, "Ryan is a multi skilled 6-10 kid.  Somebody who probably 50% of the time brings the ball up the court for us.  He didn't make quite as many jump shots as he usually does, but he had what ... 4 blocks and 4 assists?  He's a multi talented, multi skilled player."

With his outside shot not as accurate as normal, Kelly asserted himself on the blocks in the second half.  Kelly showed off his versatility ending up with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 4 steals and 4 assists.  The only negative in his game were the 6 turnovers I had him with.  Still, he drew 10 fouls on the opponent and altered 4 shots on the evening.  In the end, Day had no answer for the Kelly.

"Tonight was a big step for our team.  That was a big game in our schedule and to come out with a win going into the Christmas tournament in Columbia," said Kelly when commenting on the game.

Ravenscroft now looks ahead to a match up with defending state champion Christ School of Arden.  The two teams will meet at the Chic-Fil-A Invitational on December 20th in Columbia, South Carolina.  Duke fans have awaited this game as well in that the two 2009 commitments, Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly will oppose one another.  The game tips off at 8:00 EST, but it is on the same day Duke takes on Xavier at 2:00.

When asked of Christ School-Ravenscroft showdown Kelly stated, "I can't wait for our match up with Christ School.   They are considered the best team in the 3-A.  Obviously Mason (Plumlee) is a great player and I look forward to matching up and playing against him."

Blue Devil Nation Premium Subscribers can read the entire interview with Ryan Kelly and get more of Coach Billermans comments on the upcoming battle with Christ School and more.  Why not join today and catch up with recruiting and get behind the scenes with unique coverage.[/private]

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Tyler Thornton talks basketball with BDN Premium (Now free to the public)

Blue Devil Nation Premium caught up with Tyler Thornton who updated us on his high school basketball season and much more.  The Duke commitment will lead his team into his schools own Gonzaga D.C. Classic this weekend with a very strong field assembled.  Tyler talks of Coach K and Wojo visiting his teams game, future teammate Josh Hairston and the rigors of playing in a tough conference.  We hope you enjoy what we feel is an informative and interesting interview -

Tell me a how your high school season is going.  I know you had a big game versus Bishop O'Connell that was a tough loss.

We started off the season 2-0 but then had a tough game against O'Connell and Kendal Marshall (UNC commitment).  Last year we beat them four times, but they came in our house ready to play.  It was a tough game which came down to the end.  We made plays, but didn't make enough.  Right there at the end we had our chances after being down and coming back to tie the game.  We just didn't make the shots.  So, it was a tough loss but a wake up call for our team.  We're young and learning at the beginning of the season.  We have time to get everything straight.

I understand you had a pretty good game on the offensive end ...

Yeah, I had 23 points and around 6 assists. [private]

So, you're breaking in a lot of new guys.  Are you pretty much running the point for your team?

Oh yeah.  I'm at the top a lot.  We run two guards at the top and I'm one of the two.

I understand that Coach K and Wojo came up to see you play.  Were they at the game?

Yes, they came up.  It was exciting.  The whole day at school the kids were talking about Coach K and Wojo coming in, so there was a lot of excitement.  After I got through warming up, I was looking around to see if I could find them.  They ended up being right there behind the bench which gave me an extra boost.  I wish we could have won.  They left right after the game, but Coach K called me.

Can you tell me a little bit about that without getting into the personal stuff?

He said he enjoyed watching the teams play and that he wished we had come out with the victory.  He said he enjoyed the atmosphere and that he wanted me to come down to a game at Duke.  I plan on going down to see a game, but I'm not sure which game I will be at because my schedule sometimes conflicts.  I will most definitely come down to see a game though.

What games do you have coming up?  Are you in any kind of Holiday tournaments?

My school has the Gonzaga D.C. Classic this weekend.  Then we have another league game next Friday after exams.  Then the day after Christmas, we go down to Miami for the Tournament of All Stars.

In our tournament we play Mount St. Josephs in Baltimore Friday (tonight).  There is a solid of field of teams coming down like Coolidge from D.C. and Archbishop Mitty to name a few.

Are there any games or match ups you are especially looking forward to this season?

I always look forward to playing against DeMatha and St, Josephs and of course St. Johns and O'Connell.  Those are the games I always get up for.  Bishop McNamara is playing good as well, so that will be a big game in deciding the season in our conference.

Needless to say you play in a tough conference ...  what's it like to play on the road in the league?  Is it tough or are their big home court advantages?

The atmosphere ... every game we go to no matter who it is, even the worst team in the league. the atmosphere is there.  The fans really get into it and the atmosphere is great.  It's great playing in our league.

Have you been able to keep up with Josh Hairston of late?

No, I haven't been able to keep up with him.  But I did talk to him last week to see how he was playing and he said he was going to come up and watch our tournament this weekend.  So, I should see him this weekend, but that's about it.

It's a busy time of year for you.  How is school going?  Is it a lot different now that you have committed to Duke University?

It's lifted a lot of pressure off my back in trying to  balance everything like school, recruiting and playing.  That was one thing I was glad to get off my back after committing.  Now I am able to focus more on my school work and energies in class.

In ending, let me ask you if you have set any personal goals for the season?

One goal I have is ... last year we had such a great team, I want to follow up and win another championship (State Champs last season).  If everything goes like it's suppose to, I think we can.  That's the main goal, to win another championship.

Okay!  Thanks for your time and good luck with the rest of your season.

Thank you.

This is but a small idea of the interviews Blue Devil Nation Premium brings to it's members.  Why not join today and gain access to accurate, timely and reliable recruiting information, behind the scenes tips, current player and coach interviews and some of the most unique coverage on Duke Athletics around.  You'll find no speculation here unless stated - we have the facts from some of the best sources available. I've been around the Duke Athletic programs for forty years and I know the subject matter, the trends and what to look for.  So, come on in and discuss the latest Ryan Kelly interview with other members on the BDN Premium (members) only message board and be there as we continue to bring you the very latest information well ahead of the curve.

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BDNP Duke Hoops Recruiting Update

The Duke Men's Basketball Staff will take advantage of the exam break by visiting [private]commitments and prospects.  The Assistants will go to various places this week, meaning yet to be

Copyright BDNP
Copyright BDNP

determined.  Coach K on the other hand will go see Tyler Thornton tomorrow where he goes head to head with Kendall Marshall.  Then he will head to Ames, Iowa on Friday, weather permitting to see Harrison Barnes.  Stay tuned to the Blue Devil Nation for continuous reports in the month of December.

The BDN plans to be on hand for the Ravenscroft vs Greensboro Day game on Friday.  We'll see if Kelly's team can redeem themselves against the team that kept them out of the state championship game for private schools. [/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball

Singler talks basketball with the Blue Devil Nation

It seems as if everyone gets pumped for Duke -

You know, we want everybody's best shot because that's what it comes down to in March.  That's when you will be playing good teams and not on your home court.  You are looking for situations which take you out of your comfort zone and we'll have some of those type of games along the way.

[private] Did you get extra pumped up going against Hummel and Purdue the other evening?

Not necessarily.  We knew it was going to be a tough game, but personally for me it was just a big game for our team.  Any time there are two good teams going at it, you're going to get excited.

Did you enjoy the atmosphere?

It was exciting for us playing against other teams where people are camping out for games reminds us a little bit of our place.  It was a good atmosphere.  We always want to play in a good atmosphere.  As long as we are playing good and having fun - that's what it's all about.

Your role seems to have changed this season.  Is it easier having Zoubek and others contribute?

I wouldn't say my role has changed, but would say I'm just playing.  From last year to this year, that's just the main focus is that I'm just being myself out there.

The team rebounded well against Purdue and better overall this season ...

We just go after the ball.  We go after the ball with two hands.  We don't have any one player who is really dominant on  the boards so we just try to rebound as a team really well.  We know we have to focus on rebounding.  I think we are getting there so we just have to focus on defense and rebounding.

Duke seems to be a different team this season ...

I think the major difference is that we are just older as a team - more mature.  We have guys with more experience and I think that goes a long ways.  Getting older makes you a little tougher going after the ball. [/private]