[private]Going into the ACC season what are the coaches saying?
Keep on playing hard. It will be ACC caliber play or whatever you want to call it - we' just have to keep playing hard and can't take days off.
Singler and Duke are preparing for the always pesky Hokies
Do you feel any different going into ACC play with a year under your belt?
A little bit, but not much. You just have to meet expectations and keep on doing what you are doing.
The inside play seems better this season -
I think it is just guys have been in this offensive system a little bit longer and we are more comfortable. I think Brian has given us a big lift. He was injured last season or most of it. He's healthy this year and he brings a little bit of height to us and he just gives us a different look which is good.
Talk about the play of Nolan Smith and how he is doing since his injury on Wednesday.
I think Nolan has been playing really well. Nolan had a good practice today. He practiced the whole time. You wouldn't know he got injured aside from the knee pads he is wearing. He went right back at it.
On a new offensive coaching philosophy -
I think we are just running a little more motion. I think it just brings a different aspect to the way we play the game. A lot of guys on our team know how to play basketball and with this motion offense it allows us to make reads.
You didn't do that as a team last year?
We really didn't. We mostly ran set last year and set some picks and used more ball screens. This year we are using more ball screens but it's in the motion offense which making reads passing and cutting more is good.
Be sure to check out our sections or archives for articles fall off the front page fast during the regular season.[/private]
[private]The Blue Devils close out 2008 in style by defeating Loyola, Maryland 92-51 to raise their record to 11-1. There was little sign of lay off blues, save the fact that Duke hit just one three point field goal in route to 92 points.
Despite being cold from beyond the stripe, Duke was on target in all other phases of the game. Kyle Singler led the Dukies with 20 points.
Brian Zoubek had one of his best games of the season scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Gerald Henderson continued his stellar play of late, tallying 19 points. "G" as he is known by his teammates and staff was pretty much all over the court making several outstanding plays.
Hendersons play prompted Krzyzewski to say, “I think G now has put three really good games together. We need him, we need him badly – he and Jon and Kyle, really are the three guys that have to be there every day for us at a really high level.”
There will be no more breaks the rest of the season as ACC play begins in earnest. Duke will host Virginia Tech this Sunday and getting off to a good start against what has proved to be a tough match up will be vital.
“We’re excited to get going. Hopefully some of the students are back Sunday night to create a really good atmosphere in here. Virginia Tech has played a very difficult schedule. In Vassallo, they have one of the top scorers in the league. They’re a veteran team – I think they’re a really good basketball team. Once you start ACC play, everything is kind of even. That’s why you start 0-0 again,” said Krzyzewski.
Today's win was the Blue Devils 66th straight home victory ove an out of conference opponent. Check back in with the Blue Devil Nation this Friday for player quotes going into ACC play.
[private]You would have played Xavier if the team had advanced past West Virginia this past March ...
Things happen. You're going to have upsets. Xavier is a real good team and we look forward to playing them.
What are your thoughts on the three point shot and the line being moved back?
You don't really notice during the game. If any thing makes a difference, it's you can get a little bit tired and you shoot short on the shot. The shot's not really that much farther back. I like it because it's different and brings a different dynamic to the game.
What do you think of Paulus and Smith at the point guard spot?
They both play hard. If you play hard and win games you earn respect from your teammates.
Did the team take any solace in the fact that they didn't shoot the ball well in the loss to Michigan?
I don't know with a loss like that. We just didn't play very well and Michigan played good enough to win. You get the feel that they wanted it more and this team has to be the one which wants it more.
How do you feel about your play so far this season?
It's really all about the team. I think we've been good, not great up to his point in the season. We want to define ourselves as a team so we still have things to work on and get better doing.[/private]
[private]Duke rode double figure scoring from six different players and a season high 22
Kyle Singler had another productive night for the Blue Devils
assists in route to a 99-56 drubbing of UNC-Asheville. The win was the 65th straight versus non conference foes in Cameron.
The win pushed Duke to 9-1 for the season and allowed them to get a taste of victory after an eleven day lay off, coming off a road loss to Michigan. Duke started slowly, but as the exam break blues wore off the Devils got better.
Duke started the game with their starters on the bench, partly being a message to said starters, but just as likely to extend the experience of their depth.
Kyle Singler led the way with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block as eleven players played significant minutes. Henderson tied him for the scoring lead with 14 and Jon Scheyer after a slow start, tallied 13 points.
The other three players scoring in double figures were Greg Paulus, Brian Zoubek and Nolan Smith with 12 points apiece.
Paulus showed significant improvement in his overall floor game and his numbers were almost exactly the same as Smith, save one block he made in the second half. Paulus also scored all of his points with four.
Duke was also solid from the three point hitting 11 of 27 for 40.5% another season high. They also connected on the majority of their free throw opportunities going 16 of 19 for 84.2%.
The 99 points Duke put up was also a season high. Of those 99, 50 points were in the paint and 36 came off turnovers. Krzyzewski stated that he thought his team not only improved as the game went on but in general. Duke will next travel to New Jersey where they will take on seventh ranked Xavier on Saturday.
Singler and Scheyer were really good against Purdue ...
I think they were quietly looking forward to seeing how they stacked up with Hummel and Moore. Both of those kids are very confident players with what they can do and they're unbelievable competitors - they fight for everything.
Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins instructs freshman Mile Plumlee in practice.
We did actually. When we recruited Kyle he was one of the best players in America. He's now made another big jump and has become an elite player. Jon has always had that warriors mentality. Now that his body is catching up with his mind he's able to put it all together. I've always thought he was an underrated player. People who follow the game or coaches follow the game know what kind of value he has.
The team will have a big break after the Michigan game. As a staff what will you focus on at that time?
During the exam break you have to keep your conditioning up. You've got to try to keep getting better. It gives you a little bit of a break to let your body rest. We've had eight games early on which takes a big toll on your body. We're going to continue to take the long view with this team. It's a long season and we're a long ways from March. We have to continue to do what we can to get better not only for the rest of the season, but for the ACC.
Elliot seems to be pushing it a bit ...
I think with both of our freshmen, Elliot and Miles, we think both of them are going to be outstanding players. What you are seeing with them is that they are on a team that's loaded with great veteran leadership and players. It kind of reminds me a little bit of the olden days when I was in school in the late eighties and early nineties you can in a learned contributing while getting better as the season went along trying to improve upon your role. Both of those guys have great attitudes. We have high hopes for both of them. It's kind of just when it clicks. They have great role models with the upper classmen on this team and their attitudes have been great. We've just got to continue to stress to them it's a process.
Gerald has been struggling a little bit on the offensive end ...
I think with Gerald has been a little off. When you are a good scorer and things aren't going as good for you, the best thing you can do is concentrate on other areas of the game. He rebounded well against Purdue, got some steals and really put his stamp on the game. If he can continue to do the things he did against Purdue, when his offense comes you are going to have a real dynamic player.
How is Greg coming along?
Greg's coming along well. Nolan got in foul trouble against Purdue but Greg came in and did well. That's the great thing about having two capable point guards. He ran our team and made a big basket late in the game with a lay up.
You grew up loving the NBA and are a hoops aficionado probably watching every game that's on the air when at home ... do you find time for other things?
I am probably going to get kicked out of the house by my wife and kids. I have such a passion for basketball. My earliest memories as a kid were going into the locker rooms after games and being around it and watching it ... I've been a junkie my whole life. Now, being able to play with my son, go out in the yard with him and shoot around is great.
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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]
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