Rasheed Sulaimon bounced back to lead Strake Jesuit past Wheeler by a score of 70-63. Sulaimon led his team in scoring with 26 points and after the contest BDN Premium caught up to him for a 1 on 1 interview where he speaks of talking with Coach K and many other things, including his upccoming diary for Blue Devil Nation members. We're sure you will enjoy this video interview where you'll see what a stand up young man Sulaimon is. It's a great time to join BDN Premium! [private]
Here is a Rasheed Sulaimon clip after last evenings loss. Sulaimon has been playing sick and is having a much better game today with Strake Jesuit up big.
Firstly, here is to hoping all of the Blue Devil Nations is having a fabulous Holiday Season! For me, it's right back to work as I head out to the former Glaxo Tournament now called 2011 HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational to check out future Dukie Rasheed Sulaimon in person. I will also take in two budding prospects from the class of 2014. In the morning, the plan is to head for Myrtle Beach for the Beach Ball Classic which is loaded and I will be back for the Duke vs Western Michigan game on Friday. In short, while many of you are hitting the after Christmas sales and stuffing leftovers, I'll be hitting the recruiting trail hard.
Most of the Duke players went home for the holidays and judging from what I saw on social media, all had a great time. You know Quinn Cook had to be smiling after being named ACC Rookie of the Week and he'll likely get more burn in the next two games against Western Michigan and Penn, But, he'll have to show up large to for that to continue as the schedule goes into overdrive with a tough road game at Temple before the ACC slate begins.
It may be early in the season, but Austin Rivers looks like a lock for ACC Rookie of the Year. Another player who is proving he belongs with the ACC's elite is MasonPlumlee. During ACC media day, I picked three Tar Heels to make the first team, but if I were to vote again today, Plumlee would take Tyler Zeller's spot. For the record, I voted the exact way the results turned out with Seth Curry on first team, but he will have to pick it up a little to get that vote at seasons end. Curry is by no means having a bad year, but he needs to become consistent and take on more of a leadership role after the break. When a kid makes 1st team All ACC, you have to hold him to a higher standard.
A lot of people did not like the ACC expanding, but knowing the landscape of the future, I was all for it. The conference currently had three ranked teams in Duke, North Carolina and Virginia, but new members, Syracuse and Pitt would make it five. The Cuse is ranked number one in the nation and they're about as deep a team as you will see. Also, Duke is 5th in the coaches poll and 7th in the A.P.
The NBA season is under way and the Blue Devils have more players on the opening day rosters than any other school. Of course, you will still hear the negative nellies of the world try and explain that one away. Still, that is quite a fact you can offer future prospects. And for the record, Kyle Singler would have been on that list as well but decided to finish the season out in Spain.
JJ Redick went for 20 points last evening helping Orlando even their record up at 1-1. and Chris Duhon added 6 points as well. Kyrie Irving did not have a stellar debut going just 2 of 12 from the field for 6 points but he did have 7 assists as Cleveland dropped their home opener to Toronto. Mike Dunleavy tallied 13 points for Milwaukee and Shaun Livingston who verballed to Duke and then decided to go to the NBA had 14, but they fell short to Charlotte where Gerald Henderson had an outstanding opening game dropping 18 points while Corey Maggette added 12. The 39 year old Grant Hill scored 6 points for the Phoenix Suns but they lost by a point to New Orleans. Josh McRobert's had just 2 points in 20 plus minutes for the Lakers as they dropped their second game to start the season 0-2. Meanwhile, Shelden Williams played but did not scratch the scoring column for New Jersey. Finally the Bulls lost on the road to Golden State as Carlos Boozer tossed in 6 points and Luol Deng added 20 points where he seemed to be the only Bull to show up. Whew! A lot of Dukies were playing last night and with a shortened schedule where teams play on what use to be off days due to the lock out, this will be common place as the season progresses. We'll give last nights game ball to Redick with 20 in his teams win and he can share it with Henderson who showed he wants to be a factor helping a not so good Bobcat's team to an opening victory. And KrisHumpheries was vote the NBA's most hated player. For those who do not remember, Humpheries signed with Duke and was then granted a release when he demanded immediate playing time for a good team, taking his game to Minnesota.
That's it for this week Blue Devil Nation and we'll return to our regular Monday Musings feature next week. And we are extending our yearly membership special rate of 20% off 100 bucks for a few days, so take advantage of our lowest price ever and come on in and see what is going on behind the scenes and catch all the latest recruiting news. And for new members, you must sign up for the message board separately and will be approved after we see you've joined through paypal. Go Duke!
Key Duke prospect Jabari Parker - BDN Premium 1271 word recruting update posted.
The Holiday season is upon us and that means Duke Basketball plays just a couple of December games, but make no mistake, it is still a busy time. The Duke Men's Basketball staff will put in their frequent flyer miles and burn a little rubber as they hit the recruiting trail and BDN Premium brings you an update on the latest news.
Coach Krzyzewski and assistant coach Jeff Capel will be in Dallas, Texas today to watch Julius Randle, the nations #2 ranked player in the class of 2012. Duke will also see (1271 word update ahead for BDN Premium members) [private] Matt Jones, the shooting guard who just pledged to the Blue Devils. There is no mistaking the fact that Duke hopes Jones will help recruit the banging horse, Randle. And Rasheed Sulaimon may help there as well. As I have said in past updates, the Blue Devils covet Randle and think they can get him and Jabari Parker and that would be just magical for the fan base.
Speaking of Jabari Parker, the top rated player in his class that is now being compared to Kobe Bryant by some, the staff will watch him in Fayetteville this weekend. I have long maintained that I feel Duke is in incredibly good shape here and that they were in on Parker very early and have developed great relationships with the family. Duke will also take in the Beach Ball Classis in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where they'll see him again at the end of this month. Parker will have his parents in tow this weekend and probably Myrtle Beach as well.
And speaking of the the Beach Ball Classic, one of two top recruits left for this season at this time, Tony Parker will be there. Duke continues to get good vibes from his camp, especially his parents who I have said for a long time now favor Duke. Parker is a stressful prospect for Duke fans in that the Blue Devils really need him and or have a place for him. I was the first to tell you that the December date was sketchy and that you cannot really go on what Parker says he'll do. And that means the old line, don't listen to what he says, but watch what he does. Parker is enjoying the process, a bit too much for most Duke fans taste for it makes little sense he would choose any situation but Duke for numerous reasons. Of course, they have on royal blue glasses as well but even the objective observer sees the best spot for him is in Durham. I still think he will end upo taking this until summer - late summer, so try and keep your composure and not go bad mouthing him in forums which could possibly damage the teams efforts.
Tyus Jones is a mature PG and leader - BDN Photo
We cannot leave out the top rated player in this seasons class, Shabazz Muhammad who will also be in Myrtle Beach. UCLA, once considered a strong leader is now third in my opinion and as I said a bit back, it will come down to Duke and Kentucky. His decision could hinge on Austin Rivers decision to go pro or stay at Duke, so this one as I have said all along will go to the podium the last day or so of the signing period in late summer. And it doesn't hurt to dream and think that both Parker and Bazz might choose Duke taking all of the build up stress away and making us all five years younger in the process. Muhammad could really flourish in the Duke system where I feel he would be more of a go-to guy than he would be at Kentucky.
Another Chicago are kid has caught the Blue Devils eye as well. Jalhill Okafor is a bruising type in the class of 2014 and stands 6-10 and weighs in at 280. Duke has mad in roads with him and they'll see him this weekend along with Jabari Parker. I am looking forward to reporting on his game as I focus in on him solely for the first time. He plays AAU ball for the Mac Irwin Fire and they at times have so many good players, that it is hard to focus in on one early in the circuit season.
Two players that will play at the former Glaxo event in Raleigh will be Rasheed Sulaimon, already signed with Duke and young Theo Pinson. Sulaimon will thrill the crowd for sure with his water bug like movement. He glides around the court with high energy and his on ball defense is much improved, making me think he can be a stopper at Duke. Our diary session kind of imploded due to his schedule, but he has said he will pick it up soon. Pinson is another 2014 kid that liked Duke growing up. He is an interesting wing that still seems to be growing at 6-5 and will likely be a small forward type in college, but he has good guard skills as well and like all Duke prospects, he has great character. Okay, I know what you are thinking about that statement, but be nice as I said up top, LOL.
Juilus Randle is a true banger in the paint.
The City of Palms, Texas, Vegas .... the Blue Devils staff will be seeing a lot of kids this month. Some of those will be individual visits to the likes of Tyus Jones and Austin Nichols. The Blue Devils fell in love with Jones last year and I had already been there in that he always stood out to me. During my last interview with Jones, I came away very impressed at his grounded maturity which is far ahead of his years. And that kind of maturity is what you seek in a point guard. Duke will be on this kid hard as will everybody else int he nation, but early returns are that he likes Coach K and Duke a lot. Austin Nichols is a 6-8 slender forward approaching 200 pounds that the Devils staff will check out individually. A lot of SEC schools are on the Tennessee native and a few from the Big East along with Butler. Nichols caught the Blue Devils eye but it is early on this one, so we'll call it an on going evaluation.
On the team front, Coach K is very pleased with the 9-1 start to the season and the staff will take measures to try an assure there is no burnout from the added stress of the China trip. There are a few nagging injuries (nothing major) but I only speak of them when announced and the team rarely does this. The staff will be watching a lot of film, so expect a few new wrinkles as the new year moves in. As I said, the plan is to redshirt Alex Murphy and Marshall Plumlee and this will be a good thing down the road for these will be seasoned and mature freshman. And yes, I played a bit of a game in mentioning lineup changes the other week and many got a chuckle out of other sites running with it in public. It pays to know Duke Basketball, wink-wink and to be a member of Blue Devil Nation Premium. Thanks for being a member guys and let's go Duke!
Talk about this article on the Blue Devil Nation Premium Message Board, a part of your membership package and please do not share, copy and past this information per user agreement. There will be more news to follow in an addendum I will add to this update and we'll be on prospect hard. This is where you will get an idea of what Blue Devil Nation Premium is all about. [/private]
The Duke Men's Basketball team pushed their record to 9-1 this past week with a wins over Colorado State and Washington while the football coaches secured three verbal commitments on the recruiting trail. That's a pretty solid week and thus we begin this weeks Monday Musing's.
The win over Washington
I personally thought it was a good win and a learning experience for a young team but many found fault in the win. Of course, we are talking message boards here and everybody, no matter who you are has an occasional melt down. Yes, the Huskies staged a comeback late in the game but Duke built a sizable lead which didn't allow the comeback to take hold, I mean come on critics, a three pointer at the buzzer cut it to six for the Huskies and who actually thought in reality that Duke was going to lose that lead? Now granted, the comeback is a lesson to a young team on how to close a game but I just find no major negatives in this win. In fact, with Austin Rivers and Seth Curry on the bench it forced young players into action on the big stage of Madison Square Garden and that to me is a positive learning experience. So, I don't get the criticism unless you want to win by 20 every time out. And no knock on my man Mason Plumlee, who struggled at the free throw stripe, but had he hit half of those the lead would have been much larger and that is a single intangible.
A work in progress
What fans need to remember is that this Duke team is a work in progress and is 9-1 against the toughest early schedule in the nation! Coach Krzyzewski is bringing this team along just as he has others and to succeed in March it takes both improvement and luck. The Blue Devils seem to be just below a tier of four or five teams, but there is not one of those teams that Duke could not beat on a given night, so that is something to hang your hat on. The Blue Devils lost Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler and to some extent Kyrie Irving, so this team is developing it's leaders and Coach has said from day one, different players will step up. You know, I use to make fun of the UNC fan base at times for complaining when Dean Smith was there, but the Blue Devil fan base is right there now, demanding perfection when they've only come to expect it from mad success. So, sit back and enjoy this years team develop and for the record they've pretty darn good.
Austin Rivers named rookie of the week
Austin Rivers averaged a team-high 17.5 points per game in leading seventh-ranked Duke to wins over Colorado State and Washington. The Winter Park, Fla., freshman guard was 11-of-22 from the field, including 5-of-10 from three-point range, and 8-of-10 from the foul line for the week, while also adding 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He scored a team-high 17 points in Duke’s 87-64 win over Colorado State Wednesday. In Saturday’s 86-80 victory over Washington, Rivers tallied a team-high 18 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of action.
So, you think December will be slow with just two games, huh?
Duke does not play again until a week from today against UNC-Greensboro at home and then Western Michigan on the day before new years eve. Yep just two games, but it is December and that means high school basketball tournaments fro Raleigh to Myrtle Beach and we'll certainly bring you some coverage. We'll discuss this further shortly, but you can bet you will hear from the likes of Rasheed Sulaimon and other targets.
Football Recruiting has a big day
Coach Cutcliffe hit the road the day after the loss to UNC as did his whole staff. And that's not just speak on our part, they are beating the road hard trying to improve the talent base. As BDN's football guru reported yesterday, the Blue Devils have three new verbals and one in particularly excites me. Check out this link - Football gains three verbals
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