Tag Archives: Tre Jones

Duke Basketball

Tre Jones Holds the Keys to Drive Duke Basketball

Tre Jones - Duke Photo, Duke University

There is no question who will run the point this coming basketball season for Duke.  Another Jones is in town and he's been working on his game and leading a new group of Blue Devils.

Tre Jones is following in his brothers footsteps and those are some big shoes to fill.  Tyus Jones simply led Duke to their last National Championship, earning the name "Stones." while nailing a key three point shot before his team's celebration.

Let me go ahead and tell you, when you have a Jones running a team, good things are bound to happen.  Unlike his brother, Tre Jones is probably more athletic and stronger coming in.  He had the luxury of watching his brother while at Duke, not to mention gaining experience from him as a tutor.

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tre was more prepared than Tyus  coming in during his press conference at the Emily K Center.  And that comment  should excite Duke fans.

"Not to put any pressure on him I would agree with Coach," said Tyus Jones during the Coach K Academy.  He continued, "He is definitely ahead of where I was and he just has to continue to advance."

Tre Jones has clearly been given the keys to dirve the team this season.  Here is the interview with Tre Jones -

So,what is it like to be on the Duke campus?

It's been amazing so far.  Just being around here and other guys that have been through here already is a lot of fun.

Coach K was talking about your game earlier today at the Emily K Center.  He said you were very advanced and when you passed the ball it was to places that would score.  Talk a little bit about that and your brother Tyus.

Right.  Yeah, just growing up and watching him, that's something he always did extremely well.  For myself, I just try to watch a lot of basketball year round and some of the top players in the world.  So, that is just something I take from other people's game.

He also said you were more advance than Tyus coming in ...

Right.  It is probably just from watching him so much and learning everything he went through before.  So, there are some things I will get a jump on.  He has been a big influence on my game.

How does your mom (Debbie) feel about being able to come back and watch Duke games again?  She is probably getting use to campus.

She is.  She is just extremely blessed.  And that is something she says all the time how blessed she is.  So, that's definitely how she is feeling.

What are the coaches telling you to work on and or how to have interchanges with the players?

I am just working on all aspects of my game to be able to come in here and have an impact right away.  I know that in order for that to happen I just have to work on everything.

On the upcoming trip to Canada ...

It should be a lot of fun to take the trip even before the school year gets started.  I think it will be a big chance for bonding as well; not just on the floor but off it as well.  Just being away from family and away from friends and being around each other will be a good experience.

Have you been talking with the other freshman a lot and if so what do you talk about?

Right.  We talk daily and it has just been great so far.  We all want to win and that is out main objective just to win.  We have a great friendship coming in and we just want to work right away.

On playing where Tyus did and a possible shadow ...

People say I follow in his footsteps but I mean this has always been my dream school to come here and play for Coach K.  It was the best fit for me, myself.  So just choosing to come here was one of the best chances to win a championship and that is one of my main goals at Duke.

Closing comment - Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski said that the ball does not stick in Tre Jones hands.  What that means is that he believes in ball movement be it advancing the ball or immediately hitting open scorers.  Tre likes to drive to the hoop more than his brother Tyus but he will face a lot of zone at Duke with athletic cutters on his team.  He will need to learn how to bust zones from the outside as well.  All in all, Duke has a true point guard who does not let emotion dictate his play.  Like his brother Tyus, he plays the game in a cool manner and under control.

Join Blue Devil Nation premium during out 2 years for 1 membership special and get the latest on the recruiting front and behind the scenes information.  Help support or coverage efforts by joining today.

 

Duke Basketball

Duke Basketball Sunday Happenings

The Duke men's basketball staff has been busy of late on the recruiting trail.  Today, Coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff are visiting Vernon Carey Jr. in Florida.  The 2019 Power Forward is s sure thing prospect.  For more on who Duke has visited lately and some other interesting information on Carey, join Blue Devil Nation Premium during our two for one membership special.

Two future Blue Devils will also be on display today during the Jordan Brand Classic which tips off at 5:00 on ESPN.  Tre Jones and Cam Reddish will suit up for the moe squad in today's contest.  Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett were scheduled to play on the same squad but will sit out the event.  Williamson has his thumb in a cast for three weeks after injuring it at the McDonald's All American game.  Barrett has had an extraordinarily busy schedule and will sit out the event.  All of the current Duke signees have been select to play in the Nike Hoop Summit which starts  next week.  Blue Devil Nation expects Williamson to sit out that event as well but it is likely Barrett will play.

Duke lost Gary Trent Jr. to the NBA yesterday.  We dreamed of a rekindled backcourt of Tre Jones and Trent whom played together on the AAU circuit and in high school.  But Trent is a hard worker who is mature beyond his years and ready for the challenge.  Duke will miss his three-point accuracy and mental toughness.  He joins Marvin Bagely III and Trevon Duval as Blue Devils who will enter the draft.  We should hear news from Wendell Carter Jr. soon.  Carter is a projected lottery pick.  All of these players gave their hearts and soul to Duke which fell just short of the Final Four as Grayson Allen's shot rimmed out.  As for Allen, he is currently speaking with agents as are others.

The off-season is a busy time for Duke Basketball.  All Star games are winding down while recruiting is still going on.  Duke will soon start their exit interviews with players after class completes for the semester.  More on that and much else on the Blue Devil Nation message board.

In short, Duke Basketball never stops.

USA Basketball

Duke Trio Selected to USA Basketball Team

Three future Duke Blue Devils have been selected to the USA Basketball team that will compete in the Nike Hoop Summit.  Tre Jones joins Cam Reddish and Zion Williamson in the game which takes place on April 13th in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

Duke Basketball

10 Random Thoughts on Duke Basketball Volume 6

10 Random Thoughts on Duke Basketball - an in season team and program update. Welcome to volume 6.

Well, I can't tell you how many times Duke basketball  has played 9:00 games in late January on  the road at Winston Salem.   The result was nice for the Blue Devil faithful but these games are no fun for the team due to travel and early morning classes.  And with that said, lets jump into the sixth edition of 10 Random Thoughts on Duke Basketball.

The most important thing we learned last night...

...was that the young team is learning how to handle their business on the road.  Duke has now won five consecutive conference games and more importantly, three of those wins have come on the road.  The team is getting better after the lessons they learned in losses to Boston College and N.C. State on the road.  The resurgence has positioned the team in sole possession of 3rd place in a tough 14 team league.

Who played well and who didn't

Firstly, Grayson Allen comes to mind.  He is still struggling a bit with his shot but put up a big time stat line while running the team.  By his running the team, that obviously means that Trevon Duval did not have a good game.  In fact, Duval had perhaps his worst game of the season.  Gary Trent Jr. has been playing his best basketball of the season since the loss to N.C. State.  And all Wendell Carter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III did was once again tallying double-doubles.  And then Alex O'Connell came off the bench to play 20 minutes of good ball.  As for Javin DeLaurier, he still seems to be getting back into the flow of things upon his return from injury.

The Stand

No, I am not talking about the title of a Stephen King book.  I am speaking to the fact that Duke has perhaps their most important home stand of the season coming up this Saturday and then Monday night.  And their opponents will be #2 Virginia and conference nemesis Notre Dame.  Cameron needs to be on point.

Speaking of the Virginia game

It is not often the home crowd in Cameron or anywhere else are treated to a top 5 match up.  But that is what we get this Saturday and there is plenty of incentive for the Blue Devils in this contest.  Lets start with the fact that Virginia is undefeated in the league and atop the standings ranked #2 in the nation.  Duke Basketball can flip the script with concern to the ranking and pull within a game in the standings with a win.

The keys to a win will be ...

Well, Virginia is good on defense.  And they knock down their free throws.  Quite simply Duke must have great shot selection in this game for possessions need to count.  When teams miss, the Cavaliers can make you pay with a slow methodical style.  And Duke must limit their opponents trips to the free throw stripe.  It would bode well for Duke to get a working margin or lead in this game while limiting their turnovers.  Perhaps no other player thanTrevon Duval who struggled in his last outing, will be more important.  He'll need to play under control and watch for the traps.

Future Dukies played well on Tuesday

After his verbal commitment to Duke, Zion Williamson went off for 37 points in Spartanburg Day’s (S.C.) 87-38 win over Oakbrook Prep.  Tre Jones went for 24 points as his No. 5 Eagles beat visiting Lakeville South.  Oh, and he had double figures in rebounding and assists for a triple double.  Yeah, he is a Jones.  BTW, Duke will not have its 76th McDonald's All American game participant this coming March in Williamson and the aforementioned 2018 class.

A heads up

NCAA Tournament tickets are on sale at all locations and they are running some early specials.  Duke basketball fans may want to consider looking into the region in Charlotte that takes place on March 16th through the 18th. Yes, that is a hint and the teams goal on where they want to play.  Some key dates -

Selection Sunday N/A March 11
First Four Dayton March 13-14
First/Second Pittsburgh March 15 & 17
First/Second Wichita March 15 & 17
First/Second Dallas March 15 & 17
First/Second Boise March 15 & 17
First/Second Charlotte March 16 & 18
First/Second Detroit March 16 & 18
First/Second Nashville March 16 & 18
First/Second San Diego March 16 & 18
Midwest Regional Omaha March 23 & 25
West Regional Los Angeles March 22 & 24
South Regional Atlanta March 22 & 24
East Regional Boston March 23 & 25

 

Here is a link for tickets.

It goes fast from here

While some are caught up in next seasons recruiting class, this years team is way to fun to watch....so pay attention and beam into the present.  Duke will be a major factor heading down the stretch as we enter the halfway point of the ACC season.  One of the most incredible talents in the land in Marvin Bagley III is special, so enjoy him while you can.  The other freshman starters are all doing their thing as well and the senior leadership of Grayson Allen and his last home game against UNC will be here before you can blink an eye.

I was asked about Virginia at Duke tickets

It generally starts, "Hey, do you know anyone..."  Yes, somebody asked me if I knew of any #2 Virginia at #4 Duke tickets in Cameron Indoor Stadium.  FTR, there is one ticket left on Stub Hub for five hundred bucks.  The rest are going much higher than that.  Vivid Seats has them from $579.00 per ticket to $789.00.  FTR, face value on most Duke tickets is close to one hundred bucks. which is likely most expensive in America these days.   If you have won the lottery recently, you might look into Grayson Allen's Senior Day game against North Carolina to close out the regular season.

Several columns coming

There are two columns coming to bluedevilnation.net this week.  One will be on Zion Williamson to Duke and the other will be titled you heard it here first, but we cannot divulge what that will be about just yet. We are also running a special through the end of the month on Blue Devil Nation Premium where we double your membership for the usual price.  For those who have recently subscribed, be sure to sign up for the message board as well for more information.

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Trio Named to McDonald’s All American Team

The McDonald's All American team was officially announced today and three Duke Blue Devils to be will participate in the prestigious contest.

Tre Jones, a 6-2, 180 pound point guard from St. Paul, Minnesota (Apple Valley) made the team.  He follows in the footsteps of his brother, Tyus Jones who played in the game and eventually helped lead Duke to a National Championship.

Cam Reddish, a 6-8, 215 pound SF from Norristown, PA (Westin School is on the roster as well.  Reddish recently scored 25 points in his teams close loss to IMG Academy.  He plays center on defense and basically his high school teams PG on offense out of necessity.

RJ Barrett, a 6-7 190 pound SF from Mississauga, Canada (Montverde Academy) also made the team.  Barrett and Reddish are generally considered to top ranked players in the nation in no particular order.  Barrett led Team Canada to a win over Team USA and plays for the top high school team in the nation.

Also on the team is Zion Williamson, who will be making his college decision this coming Saturday,  More on that and other Duke recruiting tidbits in the latest team and recruiting update for members

Duke is also still active with Moses Brown, a center prospect who blew up during the spring.  The McDonalds All American game will take place on March 28th, 2018 in Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks.

Tickets to the event will go on sale soon.

Read more about Duke Basketball Recruiting by taking advantage of our current special and joining Blue Devil Nation Premium.

Membership Options

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Tre Jones Tallies 39 Points in Close Loss

B

The last time ESPN visited Apple Valley High School, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was in the stands watching Tyus Jones go up against Jahlil Okafor.  The two would go on to become teammates in Durham where they led the Blue Devils to a national championship in their freshman season.

Last evening, ESPN returned to Minnesota where another soon to be Blue Devil took to the court.  And that just happens to be Tyus younger brother Tre.

Tre Jones will follow in his brothers footsteps and attend Duke University next season where he will take over the point guard spot.  It is widely thought that, Trevon Duval will announce his intent on going to the NBA after the season.

"He's a Jones," that is all you need to know said a long time follower of high school basketball.  Tre Jones hopes he can incite more magic in Durham where he will join future teammates in highly ranked R.J. Barrett and Cameron Reddish.

Jones would tally 39 points last evening while dishing out a bushel of assists.  He was the best player on the court, but on this evening Apple Valley fell just short of a win in a hard-fought 82-79 loss.  Jones tried to lead a furious comeback but in the end his team could not overcome Minnehaha Academy led by Jalen Suggs.

I witnessed Jones AAU team, Howard Pulley, lose their opening game during the Nike EYBL season,  Jones took that loss hard before his team went on a major roll to become one of the circuits powers.

There is little doubt Jones took last evening loss hard as well with his brother in attendance.  But one of the reasons Tre is rated so highly is his ability to bounce back and improve.

Tre Jones’ final line for the evening was  39 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 blocked shot,   You can't get much better than that.

For more recruiting news, join Blue Devil Nation Premium.