Tag Archives: Coach K

Duke Basketball

It’s Game Day – Duke vs California in a battle for a Sweet 16 berth

Singler readies Duke for Cal
Singler has been really consistent down the stretch this season, elevating his game at just the right time. It'll take a huge effort from the junior star for Duke to advance to Houston and the Sweet 16

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Duke will be looking to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 with a win over California but a trio of three point shooters lie in their way.  Make that a that a trio and former Duke player Jamal Boykin.  The Golden Bears have already knocked off one of the nations top programs in Louisville and now they are chomping at the bit to slay Duke.

California Coach Mike Montgomery will send four senior starters into battle, so they do have experience and that generally makes for a tough out.  Make no mistake, California is still seeking to make a name for itself and a win over Duke would make their season regardless of what happens after.

Montgomery has been quick to elude to the fact that he has coached twice against Mike Krzyzewski.  He stops short of saying he won both games but the implication is seemingly there.  For what it's worth, both coaches have been verbally pleasant to one another in press conferences.

One of Montgomery's strategies has been to have his team pumped up to hit the other team in the mouth.  That's what happened when Louisville went down by a score of 24-6 before they realized what hit them.  The Golden Bears blitzed Louisville at the start of the game and they closed it out by holding the Cardinals to mere two points in the last 6:37 of the game.

Keep in mind that game was more of a home game for Louisville in that their fans traveled well.  In short, California certainly didn't look like an eight seed with their convincing win and with Washington winning again as well, the PAC 10 doesn't look so bad now, does it?

The Bears have 4 double figure scorers starting with the aforementioned Boykin [11.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg] and fellow senior Patrick Christopher [16.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg].  Then there is there is Theo Robertson [14.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg] and their spark plug and all time leading scorer, Jerome Randle [18.8 ppg, 4.3 apg].

California looked for opportunities to run against Louisville and they rebounded well from the guard spots.  That means Duke must get back on defense.  Duke will try to defend the three point shot by pushing the shooters off the stripe, for the Bears are proficient from beyond the arc and they quickly move the ball around on offense.

The Bears will try to drive and dish or kick the ball back out.  It's basketballs version of the triple option and it can be effective.  But the Bears will have a pardon the pun, bear of a time against a Duke team that is just as hungry for victory.

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski has an NCAA best 71 victories in tournament play and he is looking for his 19th Sweet 16  appearance.   The Blue Devils have now won 30 games for the 11th time in school history and there is a hunger in the entire Blue Devil Nation for more.

The Blue Devils are a hungry bunch themselves and Kyle Singler is as tough a customer as they come and he'll be a load for whomever matches up with him.  Jon Scheyer also knows whats at stake and he in no way wants to close the season out just yet.  And let's not forget Nolan Smith who rounds out a pretty darn good guard tandem.

The Blue Devils have defended the three point shot well this season and defense will be  as vital as ever for a team which has held opponents under 60 points 18 times which is now the all time school record.  Krzyzewwski's troops also hold a huge edge in front court depth.  It'll be important for Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek to establish themselves offensively early on for getting their opponents in foul trouble around the blocks could put the Blue Devils where they want to be, the free throw line.

The Blue Devils have been a good free throw shooting team all season and if they take care of business there, they'll be in good shape.  Of course, Duke is a good rebounding team as well and this should enable them to control the boards if they can block out Cal's quick guards out.

There is a look in the eyes of these Blue Devils and that look is one of take no quarter.  But Duke knows they'll be in for a tussle with a game California team, so there is no chance they will overlook the Bears.  Besides, all Duke fans hate to remember what happened in 1993 when Jason Kidd helped the Bears pull an upset, one which resonates in pain to this day for Duke faithful.

The Blue Devils may well shrink their rotation in this one, but it'll be important for the Plumlee's and Dawkins to add some spark off the bench for their game plan to work.  And with the nations number one team Kansas going down, not to mention Villanova you never know what might happen.

While Cal is probably the quicker team and Jerome Randle is as good a guard as Duke has faced all season, I still look for Kyle Singler to play as tough as it takes and Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith to play with their usual passion and for them to lead Duke to an exciting hard fought win.

Check back in at Blue Devil Nation for full coverage of today's game and check out our numerous interviews which are all a part of our free section this weekend.  And for extended behind the scenes information and the latest on recruiting, join Blue Devil Nation Premium, our popular subscriptions site.  Benefits include access to all articles, a members only message board with the most rational discussion of any subscribers site and a chat room which remains open at all times.  With the AAU season coming up and football recruiting in full swing, the time to join is now.


Duke Basketball

Duke looks to silence naysayers

Duke practices in NCAA South Regional
Duke has had their last practice in preparation for the NCAA Tournament opening round. Now, they look to prove the talking heads wrong. BDN Photo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - It's been quite a ride for the 2010 Duke Blue Devils who roll into the tournament having won 12 out of their last 13 games.  But rest assured that these Blue Devils are not resting on their laurels and there is a sense of urgency and focus which you can feel being around the team.

For Duke fans, it's been Nirvana of late for they have already swept their arch rival and won the ACC regular season and tournament championships.  Duke is now on the verge of winning their 30th game of the season when they take on Arkansas Pine Bluff this evening.

Regardless of the phenomenal success, there are still the usual doubters and haters trying to put Duke in their place.  No matter where you turn talking heads are either talking about the weak ACC or Duke getting a favorable draw.  Folks, there is no easy road to the Final Four and if you want to talk easy roads, take a look at Syracuse and their potential journey.

The vaunted Big East has layed an egg thus far, with Georgetown, Marquette and Notre Dame all lost  while Villanova was taken to overtime before escaping while Wake Forest took out Texas, who was ranked third in the initial top 25 poll.

Bottom line, is maybe, just maybe, the ACC is not that bad after all.  Then again, most of the teams play today, including Duke.  Still, Duke is looking like they have a chance to make it to Houston if their demeanor in Jacksonville is any indication.

There is a quiet confidence around the program right now and you can see the desire in the eyes of Krzyzewski and his players.  In short, these Blue Devils do not want to flame out and a loss doesn't even seem to be an option.  If that were not enough, Krzyzewski is recruiting as well, calling to offer a kid on Wednesday evening and just recently added Michael Gbinije and Carrick Felix into the fold.

Despite the accomplishments of this seasons Duke team, it's simply amazing at how little respect they are getting.  Just before the journey to Jacksonville, the usual talking heads on the radio in the Triangle continued their shtick of selling Duke short.  "They will lose when ... they just don't have ..... they always  flame out ... the ACC is weak ... ," say the supposed experts.

Well, they could be right despit their lack of homework, but from my seat most of the Triangle area talking heads with the exception of David Glenn seem to have their heads, well, use your imagination.

Regardless, Duke will have to prove themselves on the court and rest assured, if they reach the Final Four it is because they had a cakewalk draw or the upsets paved their way.

At some point and time, there may be a bit of crow to dish about, but Duke does have to win to make that happen, but this team knows that and seems ready for the challenge.

Duke Basketball

Kyle Sinlger talks of the ACC Tournament and addresses his future

Kyle Singler and Mason Plumlee watch as teammates cut down the nets in Cameron

Durham, N.C. - The Blue Devil Nation was on hand for today's media press conference where we recorded Kyle Singler's thoughts on the coming ACC Tournament.  Singler also addressed his future saying he was undecided on whether he would return to Duke for his senior season.

Hear it for yourself on BDN audio -