Tag Archives: Duke-Xavier

Duke Basketball

Perfect first half propels Blue Devils to big win over Xavier

[private]Duke played it's best game of the season in a route to a 82-64 win over the seventh ranked Xavier Musketeers. It was a game where they put it all together on both ends of the court.  Be it stifling defense or the extra pass, these Blue Devils came to play.

"Our kids played a heck of a game. The defense was outstanding. We talked so well and had switches and we played off their five to clog up the lanes so we wouldn’t foul. They were averaging 35 free throws a game because they are so balanced and they are a really good team. Offensively,

Jon Scheyer - copyright bdnp
Jon Scheyer - copyright bdnp

we really executed well. Our two wings had fabulous games. (Jon) Scheyer and G were outstanding. Brian had four blocks and had some really nice passes. We played really well as a team and we beat a real good team. I am happy about our team coming off the exams. I thought the Asheville game really set us up for this because we had a great second half against Asheville," said an elated Krzyzewski.

The Devils play in the first half was pristine perfect as they had their way opening up a 22-3 lead before Xavier made a single field goal.  The run proved to be a knock out punch for Xavier never recovered and two late game threes made the margin look closer than the game actually was.

When asked of his teams first half play Krzyzewski stated,  "It’s one of those halves that’s unexpected against an outstanding team. We were very well prepared. Our team mentally took a step up, I could feel it. They prepared so well these last two days. I knew we were going to play well, I didn’t know we were going to win because they are a good team. We played great. You know what I think with Jon?  Jon wants to be a player that sometimes doesn’t look for a shot and by the time the shot is there the place he is looking for, the shot passed. He should look for a shot first and then make a play. If he didn’t have a shot, he can make a play. Jon’s been a good leader for us."

Scheyer was clearly the player of the game for Duke where he scored 23 points on 9 of 11 shooting and had 16 of those points in the first half. 

When asked of his play Scheyer stated, It felt good. "I don’t feel like I’ve been getting many bounces this year. It’s good when you get a win like this. We played really together and made the extra passes except for maybe the beginning of the second half. Besides that, we made the extra passes, played together and we created shots for other people rather than create them for ourselves. That’s a big dimension that our team has had recently. It was big for us. Every night when we step on the floor we have to play like we did today.

If the team plays as it did today, then it will be hard not imagine not seeing them in the Final Four.

Link to Official Box Score  We'll have more on the game later -[/private]

Duke Basketball

Coach K on his PG’s, Zoubek and the Meadowlands (Izod Center)

[private]Wanted to see if you could you talk a little bit about the role situation you have developing in point guard.  You got a guy, a veteran who’s done a lot of great things for you, Paulus, has been kind of banged up and you’ve also got a really talented younger guy, who looks like he’s kind of moved into the starting lineup.  Can you kind of talk about the dynamic in what you have going on there?

Well the main thing for us is we hope that it’s a position that of strength for us.  We think it can be, especially when both guys are healthy.  Greg has been banged up since the end of last season and is getting close to being 100 percent now.  He’s had a really rough go at it. 

Coach K, Copyright BDNP
Coach K, Copyright BDNP
Nolan started the season really well and then he got banged up a little bit, continued to play, hurt his back, and I thought yesterday played much better.  It should be a position of strength, Nolan would start, he’s really done a good job defensively, and he’s very good offensive player and is also a good outside shooter, but Greg’s experience when he comes in, gives us something that a lot of teams don’t have, and then both of them obviously can play together also, because of Greg’s ability to play off the ball and shoot.

I was wondering if you could comment on the progress of Brian Zoubek?

Yeah, we’re really pleased with Brian.  Brian’s been our starting center and it’s been well over a year since he’s been injury free.  Last year was the year from hell so to speak, as far as injury goes.  He broke his foot twice, and never had an opportunity to develop, play and there was just no continuity.  That really lasted until the end of September, when he got the go ahead…not the end of September the end of August, and in September he got the go ahead to play 5 on 5, but for the next about 7 weeks, he had to play with what they call a shank in his shoe, which is kind of playing like with a boot on, and did well, but since he’s gotten that out of his shoe, he’s really shown a lot of progress.  I’m really pleased with him, and hopefully he has the opportunity to stay injury free the rest of the season.

On Xavier -

First of all, they have a winning attitude.  They’re all together in the pursuit of one goal and that is to play well and win.  They play hard, they’re very good defensively, have excellent depth and there’s really not one guy you can stop, because if Anderson doesn’t hurt you, then Raymond will or Brown and Jackson had a great first half scoring against Cincinnati.  They’re a top 10 team, they’re a legitimate team, top team, and the attitude that they have is a great one.  I think Sean has done a great job of instilling that and he’s taken over a great tradition there.  Xavier, when I grew up in Chicago, in a Catholic League, I mean everyone knew about Xavier, they continue to produce really good basketball teams and looks like they have a lot of fun playing.

We are looking forward to it.  I’m not saying this just to say it, it’s always an honor to play there, and to play against Xavier.  It’s going to be a heck of a basketball game and give ultimate respect for them and their kids.  They play the right way.[/private]