The Duke Blue Devils are coming off a nice win over Indiana and Blue Devil Nation takes a look back and ahead.  In our latest Duke Basketball Notebook we take a look at recruiting as well.

A feel good win ...

The Blue Devils win over Indiana was a feel good win in many ways.  Duke showed toughness and improvement and a will to win not only from the team but the staff as well.  Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski was really into this game and it was clear the staff had scouted the Hooisers well.  With ex players like Grant Hill, Danny Ferry an Ricky Price watching on a night when Cameron Indoor Stadium was in good form.  Even former San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson was seen totally immersed in the atmosphere admonishing the game officials after a call.  It was a game that Duke fans didn't want to end.  On the other side of things, several Indiana fans found their way into the venue and all they could do it sit and watch as Duke took over the game midway through the first half.  At games end, Krzyzewski was in good spirits in the media room where he cracked more than one joke.  It was quite simply a good night in Cameron.

Brandon Ingram

Part of the aforementioned feel good atmosphere was due to the stellar first half play of Duke freshman Brandon Ingram.  In the last two games Ingram has shown great improvement after a slow start this season.  In the win over Utah State he took few shots but his stat line was good and within the team concept.  He continued that efficiency against the Hoosiers where his offense came alive. Ingram was knocking down threes at will from the outset but more importantly,he mixed in his ability to use his length around the rim on drives.  That combination is when Ingram can be most effective and he took major steps in figuring out his role on this seasons team.  It was truly a coming out party for the Fayetteville, North Carolina native and now he just needs to build on his consistency.

The rotation

One of the things I am most asked on social media circles is why so and so isn't playing.  Having been around the program since Krzzyzewski has set foot on the campus allows me a little perspective.  Yes, Duke played just seven players against the Hoosiers and one of those just 17 minutes in Derryck Thornton.  No, Chase Jeter didn't play so let the annual questions begin.  Firstly, the core group of players on this seasons team haven't been together long.  Krzyzewski played them together most of the game to develop chemistry  and to teach them lessons later on film.  As for Thornton, the staff is still trying to get him into a pass first or assist mode.  "He'll be fine," said Krzzyewski to one media member after Utah State game where he had a horrible shooting night.  And he will.  That is if we allow for his development on the coaches schedule.  Perhaps no player is worried about more from a fan level than Chase Jeter who did not play versus Indiana.  Krzyzewski said that the reason was that Indiana is perimeter oriented which is true.  I would also like to remind many that Nolan Smith went through a similar situation as a freshman and he turned out fine as have many Blue Devils past.  But let me share a more recent example in Grayson Allen.  The star sophomore came off the bench in the National Championship game for stellar minutes and guess what?  He didn't play at many critical times a season ago.  In short, Krzyzewski knows what he is doing and a look at the big picture after the dust clears on the season will make that more clear for the worriers.  And let me mention that in the next two games against Buffalo and Georgia Southern, Duke will widen their bench quite a bit.

Prospects and such

Any time you have Harry Giles at the game, it's cool for Duke fans. Giles has transferred back to the area as we mentioned would happen to our members.  The reason is to be close to the rehabilitation process.  His surgery went well and he enjoyed the Cameron atmosphere likely thinking of what it would be like to play on Coach K Court.  Duke is also still in the mix for Marques Bolden, a true center prospect with good skills.  He recently said his decision would come in a month.  Kentucky and Kansas are considered front-runners along with Duke for his services.

Next up

Duke takes on Buffalo this Saturday at 5:15 and then Georgia Southern on Tuesday at 7:00 each game in Cameron and televised by ESPN2.  The Buffalo Bulls currently stand 4-3 where they have struggled to find offensive chemistry in the early season.  But the Bulls did knock down a season high 98 points in their last game a win over Canisius.  The Bulls Coach Nate Oates is in his first season as coach while his wife battles cancer.  Buffalo dismissed Justin Moss this pre season and he was the MAC Player of the Year a season ago.  It is also worth mentioning that former Duke point guard and all e time NCAA assists leader Bobby Hurley coached the Bulls a season ago before taking the Arizona State job this season.  Hurley is 5-2 to date with the Sun Devils.

Nick knacks

Duke leads the nation in consecutive non conference wins at home which now stands at 121.  Duke is 15-2 since the start of the ACC/Big 10 Challenge which is clearly the best of any team in either conference.  Grayson Allen is on a 26 consecutive made free throw streak.  I reminisced in the Duke locker room with former player Ricky Price on the days when Cameron didn't have air conditioning.  It was more humid than normal of late in the Duke-IU game where the Blue Devils turned up the heat on the court.  Duke has already played 8 games this season which is more than any other ACC team to date. A special thanks to Mike Bradley for the photos in this article.