DURHAM, N.C. - Junior Kyle Singler announced on Monday his decision to remain at Duke University for his senior season in 2010-11. Singler, the 2010 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, has averaged 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game during his first three seasons as a Blue Devil.
"I love being here at Duke and am excited about next year," said Singler. "I had two great options in front of me, but I did not want to miss out on all of the great things to come in a senior season."
Singler, a two-time AP honorable mention All-America, averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a junior while leading Duke to a 35-5 record and the school's fourth NCAA Championship. He had 17 games with 20 or more points this past season while posting seven double-doubles. Singler, a first team All-ACC selection, became one of 18 players in school history to score over 700 points in a single season, finishing with 707 points in 2010.
"I am looking forward to coaching Kyle in his senior year and seeing him develop more as a player and as a leader," said head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
This Monday we feature three cheerleaders of the week.
If you failed to see or missed the ratings, the Duke-Butler National Championship game was a huge hit for CBS. It's been a decade since any game has garnered the ratings of this seasons title game, yet we are to think all of the folks who tuned in are Duke haters?
The answer to the above question is of course not. Much of the Duke hate spin has come from media types. Even after the Blue Devils won the title, local and national media types were still making excuses and or trying to explain with flawed reasoning why and or how Duke won it all. Do you think other schools would have faced such scrutiny?
Duke will continue their celebration fo their fourth National Championship on Thursday
Much of the national media has grabbed onto falsehoods past concerning the men's basketball program. As time passes some fans fall prey to this supposed hate train but, in reality, many fans around the country like Duke just fine. Heck, even Sports Illustrated did some research on the issue in their commemorative magazine. No matter who you were media wise, had you followed this team, you would have seen no sign of bad attitudes, pompous arrogance, entitlement or, well, the list is long as you well know. In short, this team was more than a little likable.
Speaking of the Sports Illustrated Commemorative, it is well worth the time to buy it and read it. I'm not quite as fond of the USA Today offering
How much would this stool bring on Ebay? BDN Photo
Yes, you could still hear some media .types whining after the game and I am talking about the national media room at Lucas Oil Arena. Objectivity was is short order in some circles but that is to be expected. One of those who constantly offers their opinion is a local radio host who ate enough crow this season to write a book on the subject of sticking ones foot in their mouth. Has this person mellowed? A little, but it is still painful to listen to one local loud mouth spout off opinions without an ounce of thought.
Everybody wants to know what Kyle Singler will do and I can't tell you, for it looks like it is too close to call. I can tell you that his answer could come before the ink dries on this article. Should the Blue Devils lose Singler, they will have lost four starters and that will be a rebuilding job despite the talent on hand. If he returns, Duke could well earn the nation's top spot going into the season. So yes, it is a big deal.
The Duke Men's Basketball Banquet on Thursday offers fans one last chance to say goodbye to Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek. Trust me, it will be one heck of a show. Let's hope the aforementioned Singler doesn't join the beloved departing senior class.
The Blue Devil and yours truly from Indianapolis
I doubt you'll see the men's basketball program appear on the television show Myth Busters. But let's just scratch the surface for a moment if you will on what the episode would look like. Duke plays their starters too much for an NCAA Tournament run. Well, Duke rode the legs of their famished players to grab the Sears Cup. Coach K stretched himself thin with Team USA and it has hurt Duke. Uh, tell that to the recruits coming in. Hey, Coach K! Please stretch yourself thinner than ever this season. Duke is too white, right? Where did this one come from? Duke is bringing in four athletes of color next season and just about everybody on the radar is of color, but look, Duke recruits kids not color. Duke can't develop big men. Well, Wojo should be standing atop a chair waving about a towel that would make Crazy Towel Guy envious. Me thinks that Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and the brothers Plumlee were collectively the bruise brothers. We could go on, but what's the use? Media hate for Duke is alive and well despite a team of extreme character players who epitomized togetherness.
Recruiting? It's that time of year around here. We will continue to cover the AAU and other tournaments this season. Andrew Slater and myself will be joined on occasion by some interns to bring you the best coverage available for our growing list of members. Patrick Cacchio and I will kick off our football recruiting coverage this week as well. The bottom line is that being a member of Blue Devil Nation Premium is to be a part of all the latest happenings often before they happen. Want to know who the next prospect to sign will be? Do you want coverage that set the bar last season? Would you like to participate in the most rational Duke related members-only message board on the web? Try us out, for we are certain that once you have, you'll be with us for a long time. At $100.00 per year, it's like having a daily Duke fix for about a quarter a day. And our members will be the first to tell you that this is the place to be for premium coverage.
Lastly, I would like to thank not only our members, but our followers for making the Blue Devil Nation such an awesome site. We loved tweeting from every game in Cameron as well as from the NCAA Tournament. We were there every step of the way in a magical season, for that is what we are about. We are hands on at BDN, wanting to be your eyes and we know what you want to see. We look forward to serving the Blue Devil Nation for a long time and we are constantly trying to make this site better.
Join BDN on twitter and Facebook for a complete fan experience. Join BDN Premium for full site access and be in the know on all things Duke.
The Duke staff was all hugs for good reason in that their hard work gained a national championship. What a special group of Duke Blue Devils! What a season! What a joy is is for Duke fans! How cool is it to be on top of the world? BDN Photo
INDIANAPOLIS - If you missed the post game press conference, here it is for you. Coach K, Jon Scheyer, Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and most outstanding player Kyle Singler address the media after they won the national championship with a thrilling win over Butler.
INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Butler Bulldogs to claim the schools and Mike Krzyzewski's fourth national championship on Monday evening in Indianapolis.
The game went down to the wire as Gordon Hayward's sixty foot shot bounded off the glass and Duke held on for life for a classic national final win. The Blue Devils immediately took to mid court, hugs everywhere before the Blue Devils watched CBS's "One shining moment."
There was no reason for the hometown favorite Butler Bulldogs to hold their heads down, for they played good enough to win but fell just short. The Bulldogs had a fabulous season, one they'll remember for years to come and they fought the tradition-laden Blue Devils tooth and nail until the buzzer sounded.
"I've been fortunate enough to be in eight national championship games and this was a classic. This was the toughest and best one," said Krzyzewski who tied Adolph Rupp with four national titles.
He remains first in NCAA tournament wins with 77 and has twelve Final Four wins, second only to John Wooden of UCLA. Krzyzewski is now 4-4 in national championship games.
Kyle Singler led the way for Duke with 19 points and 9 rebounds and his defense helped hold Butler star Gordon Hayward to 2 of 11 shooting from the field. Hayward ended the game with 12 points as did Shelvin Mack.
"When I saw Hayward's shot bounce off the rim, the team came together in a special moment," said Singler.
Jon Scheyer finished his Duke career with a 15 point effort to go with a team high 5 assists. "They were tough and I can only imagine how they feel especially with an end like that.
For Scheyer, the end means a national championship just as it does for fellow seniors, Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas.
Once again, Zoubek led the team in rebounding with ten and that earned him the praise of Krzyewski. "I thought Zoubs on his out of bounds defense was great and then he adjusts and alters the shot, getting the rebound was so fitting for Zoubek. Brian elevated out team over these last seven weeks to where we have a chance to play and win a national championship."
Krzyzewski also defended Brian when a media member asked him about his up and down career. That's just Krzyzewski protecting his players and wanting Brian to be questioned about his play this season and not the past.
Thomas added six points and he finally cracked a smile at game's end. Thomas has been intense throughout the tournaments and he now has the coveted national championship ring.
The Blue Devils bench did not score but they provided breaks for the starters. If you were told the bench would not score, you would have likely thought Duke lost, but that is a testament to the veteran leadership.
After being out rebounded in the first half, Duke hit the glass better in the second half and that was a huge key in a tight game. The final margin was 37 to 35 in the Blue Devils favor.
Duke finishes a special season with a 35-5 record and the team will now return to Durham for a raucous celebration.
BDN has been on the Duke beat all season long and we'll have more to come on the Blue Devils' fabulous March. After all, the road ends in Indianapolis and Duke was the last team standing.
Enjoy the moment Blue Devil Nation. Wallow in the atomosphere and appreciate how fortunate you are - BDN Photo
INDIANAPOLIS - Hey Duke fans! Live in the moment for opportunities to win a national title don't come around often. Take a moment and realize how lucky you are as a fan to follow such a great program and a great team.
From the Duke coaches to the players, there is nothing but solid character on the 2009-10 Blue Devils team and it's time to recognize and cherish that. Just ask UNC fans who are coming off a title how long ago that seems now? If it happens, enjoy it, savor it, live it.
Before you begin to worry if Kyle Singler will return or when the next recruit will commit, live in the here and now. Immerse yourself in the here and now and enjoy rooting for the team everybody in the nation will be watching this evening.
Make no mistake, that the majority of fans out there would kill to have a program like Duke's, so recognize how lucky and blessed you are to have them as your team.
It's been an amazing season and that season may well end in a fourth National Championship and how amazing is that? I mean, who thought this would happen after Gerald Henderson left or Elliot Williams transferred?
This Duke team has succeeded at meeting every goal it set forth to date and you will never see a more likable and grounded roster of kids than this seasons. No matter what they have been faced with, they have met the challenge with success.
Bozo media types are saying Duke had an easy road. Well, they beat the PAC 10 Champions, the Big 10 Champions and the Big East Champions to get here and the Horizon Champions may be added to the list in about seven hours.
But don't get caught up in all the hate and realize that a lot of it is fabricated to begin with. Worry instead if Duke will defeat a Butler team that is laying a trap. But know your Blue Devils will show up and I mean they will be ready.
I have a good feeling that Duke will be atop the world by midnight, but should they slip, these guys are still champions. It is rare to have senior leadership like Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and Jon Scheyer and they should be cuddled by the fan base.
If Kyle Singler goes pro, wish him the best for he will have left you with something special. What I am saying is that nothing should take away from the joy that only two teams will experience when the ball tips at 9:21 tonight and no I am not saying Kyle is gone, so relax and don't go there.
Oh, and make sure you greet these Blue Devils in a big way when they return. And do me a favor Blue Devil Nation, cheer hard for me as I will still be on the road back to Durham. In fact, a video of the return would be appreciated or a tape of any local coverage of the event.
It's been one heck of a ride and it's one that nobody should want to end.
Hometown heroes, the Butler Bulldogs, stand in the way of the Duke Blue Devils winning their 4th National Championship under Mike Krzyzewski. - Lance King
INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils will take on the Butler Bulldogs in a game that tips at 9:21 eastern and the winner will be the 2010 National Champion.
Butler was ranked 11th in the pre season and they are riding a 25 game winning streak. They have not only defeated three top ten teams in Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State, but they held them all to less than 60 points. In short, these Bull Dogs live up to their name for they are one tough bunch of kids.
Both Duke and Butler covet defense and that alone should make for a grinding game while they feel each other out. Butler has held 12 of their last 13 opponents under 60, while Duke is allowing just 61 points per game.
Butler had 12 steals vs Michigan State and while they do not play the passing lanes as you might think, they make it difficult when the ball goes in the baseline with hands reaching. Butler has 118 wins in four seasons 33-4 and their head coach Brad Stevens is a hot commodity.
Butler prefers to keep a game in the sixties and that strategy has been effective for them. They are not particularly tall inside, so look for Duke to try to work it inside - out to create shots.
The Bulldogs best player is Gordon Hayward [6-9 soph, 15.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg] who has led his team in scoring 17 times this season17 times this season. He is a versatile player cut out in the mold of inside-out Duke players past.
Matt Howard [6-8 soph, 11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg] has scored in double figure 47 times in his career and he anchors the front court. Howard butted heads late in the Michigan State win but he is expected to go.
Another key player for the Bulldogs is Shelvin Mack [6-3 soph, 14.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg]. Mack is the motor of this team and Duke will need to keep him in their sights all night long.
Ronald Nored [6-0 soph, 6.0 ppg] starts as does Willie Veasley [6-3, senior, 10.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg]. Both of these guys are good team players and both can drop it in if left open. Veasley is the veteran leader of a young team whose best players are sophomores.
Make no mistake, all of Indianapolis is behind Butler who as you know now is just six miles down the road from Lucas Oil Arena. Many are making them out to be Cinderella, but their program has been consistent.
As for mutual opponents, Butler lost to Georgetown 72-65 in one of their 4 losses. The Hoyas handed Duke their second worst loss of the season in an 89-77 win. Butler lost to Clemson by 1 point in November while Duke holds two double figure wins over the Tigers.
Butler holds wins over Northwestern, UCLA, Xavier, UTEP, Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State and that alone should tell you they can indeed keep the title in Indianpolis.
The Blue Devils are led by their big three of Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler. It will be hard to deny all three of these guys and if all are on their game as was the case in the win over West Virginia they should find victory lane.
But it is Duke's senior leadership which has been at the core of Duke's success as well. The aforementioned Scheyer, hopes to remain hot from the field, while Lance Thomas will do all the dirty work which does not show up in the box score.
The emergence of Brian Zoubek is who many point to as the real reason Duke is in the title game has been a rebounding machine down the stretch and he will cause some match up problems inside for Butler. If Zoubs controls the glass, Duke will benefit greatly.
It's only appropriate that these two teams are facing each other for they have earned the right to be here. And while Brad Stevens coaching job has been fabulous for Butler this season, Coach Mike Krzyzewski, known as Coach K, who in my opinion has had his best season ever at the helm.
Keys to a Duke win 1) Shoot well from the field, 2) Push it inside in an effort to create some foul trouble which will get them to the line, 3) Play within your role - Duke was unselfish and patient on the offensive end against West Virginia and it will be important for this to continue, 4) Rotate the bigs to keep the pressure on and this should wear Butler down. Duke has been doing this all season, 5) Run when the opportunity is there. Quick or easy baskets allows Duke to take Butler out of their comfort zone and if they are forced to play from behind, that works in Duke's favor. In short, get out to a good start.
The fact that Duke has been here before should help, but I expect a game Butler team to give Duke all they want. In the end, I see Duke winning their 4th national title under Krzyzewski. Duke's core is seniors while Butler's best players are sophomores and this is what keeps jumping out for me.
INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Butler Bulldogs to claim the schools and Mike Krzyzewski's fourth national championship on Monday evening in Indianapolis.
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