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Duke Basketball

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.

Duke Basketball

Duke finishes up the exhibition season with a 84-48 win over Findlay

Photo courtesy Duke SID
Photo courtesy Duke SID

Durham, N.C. - The Duke Blue Devils wound up their exhibition season with a 84-48 win over the defending Division-II National Champions, the Findlay Oilers.

The Blue Devils started the game without Nolan Smith who sat for the first half after a release stated that he'll miss the first two games of the regular season from performing in two unsanctioned summer league.  His absence effected the Blue Devils chemistry early on as they took a 36-23 lead into the half.

The second half was a different story as Duke rolled out to a 60-27 lead less than eight minutes into the contest.  The Blue Devils were spread out for the entire game by the Oilers offensive attack and playing against a team like this will certainly help once Duke starts the regular season.

Duke took advantage of their height in blocking 12 shots and they held a 21 rebound edge and 42 points in the paint in the final stats.  The Duke defense also forced 20 turnovers but committed 19 of their own.

The most effective player on the court was Kyle Singler, who was recently named to the Associated Press All American team.  Singler went 8 of 12 from the field translating into 20 points to go with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

"Team wise, we could have played better.  Findlay is a good team, especially for their division," said Singler after the game.

Jon Scheyer warmed up in the second half 11 of his 19 points, but had just 1 assist.  Scheyer ran the point against constant pressure for most of the game.

"It was about a B-.  We had some good moments, but we have a lot of things to work on.  It was a decent job overall," said Scheyer when asked of his teams performance.

Lance Thomas brought energy to the court where he was 3 of 3 from the field finishing with 8 points and 9 rebounds.  His teammate Brian Zoubek also garnered 9 rebounds.

Miles Plumlee joined the rebounding party as well with a team high of ten to go with his 9 points.

BDN will have up more player comments shortly as well as comments from Krzyzewski.  Duke will next face UNC-G in their opening game of the 2009-10 season on November 13th.

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Behind the scenes – Coach K teaches the tricks of the trade and talks of his team

K teaching Lance Thomas - BDNP
K teaching Lance Thomas - BDNP

Durham, N.C. - Coaches from all around the region and some from afar flocked to Durham to participate in Coach Mike Krzyzewski's Annual Coaching Clinic this past weekend.  It's an awesome event where participants learn X's and O's from the entire Duke staff all while seeing the 2009-2010 Blue Devils in two practices.

The clinic offers a great opportunity for a coach or novice to understand more about teaching the game of basketball all while getting a behind the scenes look at the program.  BDN was once again on hand and I was able to learn how to attack a zone which will help me in coaching this season.  But, we were also able to get K's comments on his team, individual players and his basic philosophy.  That said, here are several interesting tidbits gleaned during the event -

K on Miles Plumlee - Coach said that Miles was really starting to emerge as a player and that when he is relentless he's at his best.  "We are working with Miles on defining his role," said Krzyzewski.  He mentioned that Miles had become bigger and stronger in the off season and commented on how he wants to do well.  K used the word "formative," in describing Miles, saying that he talks with him about [private]  his mistakes and that Miles learns from that.  It was clear that Miles is still a work in progress but that he will be a vital cog in Duke's attack this season.  K wants him to do certain things well in an effort to lay out where he is needed from a team perspective.  Also said Miles is a bit fragile with his confidence so he didn't yell at him, but would other players.

K on Lance Thomas - He's developed a dependable shot from 15 feet.  Mentioned again, that Lance would play a lot of on ball defense on the other teams guards and that Nolan would do the same.

K on Ryan Kelly - Stated that Kelly has great basketball skills but there were limitations in what he could do at this level until he gains more strength.  K said he could play ten minutes a game sometime, but what he didn't say was that Kelly will probably get an average of 5 or 6 minutes a game at this time.

ks acK on Kyle Singler - K talked extensively of Singler changing his body and position.  While Kyle has lost some weight to play more on the outside, he's is the best shape of his life.  ""He's a pro - a lottery pick whenever he comes out.  "He's a starter in the NBA," said K.  Singler has arranged a class schedule which allows him to better dedicate himself to basketball.  Singler called and went over to K's house one time and showed interest in leadership.  In fact Singler joined Scheyer for a class at Duke where a Lt.Colonel teaches a class on leadership. Best quote - "Kyle has the ego to be a very good player, but he'll need even more of an ego to be a great player."  Also said Kyle was a quiet kid when he came to Duke so he handled him differently.  Mentioned that he had a speech impediment growing up.

K mentioned that he had been recruiting hard - K said that he was on the road a whole lot during the recruiting window and that it had been grueling at times.

K on Mason Plumlee - "He's a special player -- very talented.  Today was his best practice," stated K.

Above the rim - We haven't looked to go down low for three years and now we have guys who play above the rim," said Coach K in reference to the Plumlee brothers.

Pleased with the offense - K said that he expected this years team to average a lot of points and lauded his teams offensive play so far this season. "This past week was a good one for us."

lt masonNext play - K is looking forward to Tuesday's game with Findley and warned his team that they would be much tougher than Pfeiffer.  Mentioned they were national champs in their division and that they we but he 38-0.  Duke has today [Sunday] off and will return to court on Monday for their 16th practice of the season.

K on AD  - "He's got a good shot.   He's yet to play for a team with structure and he has a lot to learn where he wasn't taught the skills that are needed at this level."

K on Zoubek - "He had his best week of practice this past week."

K's practice emphasis - K emphasized communication skills, meaning getting players to talk and react.  Duke worked on attacking the zone defense and the usual drills such as weaves, game situations, 4 on 4 and 5 on 5 game situations.

Players chose teams and K used that as a message- Singler and Scheyer picked teams for a scrimmage and K later used that as stating to the players, "Wherever you were picked is how your teammates feel about you at this point."

K celebrates with players differently - K treats each player differently in an effort to bring out the best results.  IOW, some kids take criticism differently than others.  The same goes for when he pats them on the back.

Ending K quote -"I'm going to be here for awhile.  I'm healthy and fresh and I'm looking forward to coaching." [/private]

Duke Basketball

Coach K discusses a controversial new rule and more (part 2 of a 4 part Q & A)


Coach K shakes the hand of an adoring fan during a recent event - BDN Photo
Coach K shakes the hand of an adoring fan during a recent event - BDN Photo

Greensboro, N.C. - You will be hearing a lot more on rules changes in the coming week, especially a new one which doesn't allow a defensive player to stand in an imaginary box.  Yes, an imaginary box.  In short, a defender cannot stand just below the basket and if he does in an attempt to take a charge it is a foul.  We'll talk more about these rules in the coming week, but for now who better to hear from about this than Coach Mike Krzyzewski.  BDN made it a point to ask the Duke coaches opinion on this rule in our audio interview part 2.

Just press play -

Duke Basketball

ACC Operation Basketball – Coach K discusses the coming season Countdown to Craziness

Coach K adressed over fifty media members at various times during ACC Operation Basketball
Coach K addressed over fifty media members at various times during ACC Operation Basketball

Greensboro, N.C. - It's been an incredibly busy time for Duke Athletics and yesterday the hoops season officially kicked off during ACC Operation Basketball.  BDN was on hand and we secured several audio clips which we will start to churn out.  Coach Krzyzewski was very forthcoming on any subjects.  We have tweaked the audio to a level which we feel certain is better than before with concern to volume. So sit back, hit play and enjoy -  (It's also worth noting that TV media was not involved, so everything you hear is different than what most outlets have, meaning it's fresh)

Duke Basketball

Duke Basketball’s Countdown to Craziness is a rousing success

 

bdn photo (c)

DURHAM, N.C. Duke's first annual Countdown to Craziness was a rousing success as fans packed Cameron Indoor Stadium not only to kick off the season but to celebrate Duke Basketball.  Several video skits started the event off, with the most outrageous one mimicking the Titanic movie.  Nolan Smith played the role of Rose DeWitt [ Kate Winslett] and Andre Dawkins the role of Jack Dawson[Leonardo DeCaprio.]  Smith stripped down to a towel and some bling and posed while Andre painted the picture.

Former Duke All American Jason Williams was in the house announcing for ESPN where he interviewed Kyle Singler for the broadcast.  Christian Laettner and Bobby Hurley were also present and their presence took fans down memory lane when they won  back to back championships in the 90's.

Coach K's daughter, Debbie Savarino orchestrated the event and everything went off without a hitch.  By the time the players were ready to be introduced fans had been worked into a frenzy in anticipation of their first view of the 2009-10 Duke Blue Devils.   The lights went down and the team was introduced individually, each player having their own individual song -- many of them joking about.

4tyOnce all of the players were introduced, the attention turned to the coaches.  Just before Krzyzewski was introduced he glanced into a packed and loud Cameron Indoor Stadium and his face told the tale.  His eyes got a little watery, but he never shed a tear and one has to wonder what was going in the maestro's mind .

If I were to guess he was probably reflecting on going into his 30th season and all that had happened in the years prior.  After all, his name is on the court and Coach K has become a brand name.  He may have been looking at the young men he loved anticipated coaching and ex players loved as well and a look around showed that he was surrounded and supported by his family.  And that family is not just his immediate family, but his Duke family.

When the action began, Mason Plumlee and Brian Zoubek jumped center and the season was officially underway.  The White team which basically consisted of perceived starters rolled in the first game winning 40-17.  Nolan Smith led the way with 15 points and Kyle Singler chipped in with 9 points.  Freshman Andre Dawkins led the Blue team with 7 points.

bdn photo (c)
bdn photo (c)

After a brief break they switched some players around and played the next game  which was quite close and competitive.  A Curry three pointer put his team within one at 23-22, then the redshirt sophomore hit another on an assist from Smith running the score to Blue 26 White 22.

Andre Dawkins answered with a three pointer of his own cutting the lead back to one, but a Smith lay up put his team back up three.  Not to be outdone, Kyle Singler drilled a three of his own with an assist from Scheyer, but that was answered by Curry's third three all in short time and that boosted the Blue to a 31-28 advantage.

Are you getting the picture yet? Each team was answering the call in a back and forth affair and the veteran Jon Scheyer hit yet another three-point shot with 1:09 left tying the game at 31 apiece.  At that point turnovers and missed shots brought the game to the 7 second mark.

Singler made a sweet move to get free, but Smith made an even sweeter block.  After a Casey Peters miss, Smith grabbed the rebound and was fouled on a drive.  After a timeout, Smith exalted the crowd to get loud and went to the line and drained two free throws with .08 second left on the clock.  Curry stole the in bounds pass and the Blue got an exciting victory over the White  by a 33-31 score.

bdn photo (c)
bdn photo (c)

Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer led the losing White team with 11 and ten points.  Nolan Smith, the player of the evening, tallied 10 for the winning Blue team and Seth Curry gave Duke fans a preview of the future dropping 10 points himself.

Notes - Nolan Smith was 10 of 14 from the field for 25 points to go with 7 assists, Seth Curry had 10 points but 6 turnovers, Freshman Mason Plumlee struggled with 2 points, six rebounds  and 4 turnovers but he didn't play as bad as the stat line showed.  Kyle Singler had 20 points and 5 assists,  Andre Dawkins, Miles Plumlee 10 points and 6 boards, Lance 5 points and 6 rebounds, Ryan Kelly had 4 points and two boards.  Olek Czyz and Andre Dawkins shared the dunk  contest award as Joanne P. McCallie, Kevin White, Jason Williams and the Duke mascot were judges.  Lance Thomas announced the event.  Wojo had a great video where he played the role of Don Corleone.  The new men's basketball poster was unveiled and it has a mobster theme "Good Fella's."  BDN will bring you some photos from the event a bit later in this incredibly busy basketball weekend.  Don't forget Duke is holding an open practice and autograph session tomorrow.