Category Archives: Duke Basketball

BDN Premium Interview – Duke Freshman Elliot Williams

February 20, 2009 Mark Watson

Here is a sample of what you will find in addition to recruiting news on Blue Devil Nation Premium. I was able to sit down with Elliot Williams earlier this evening and spoke with the player everyone wants to hear from. I hope you enjoy the

Krzyzewski instructs Elliot Williams in practice - photo copyright BDNP

interview, where all but three questions were our own. Williams seemed happy to have been in the spotlight and his teammates Jon Scheyer and Gerald Henderson had nice things to say about him. Williams stated that Coach K had not been to the team with concerns as to who will start against Wake Forest. Up next - Jon Scheyer, so be sure to check back. Don't you think it's time to join the best Duke subscription site on the Internet? Our members will tell you that you are missing the best recruiting news and more. Give us a try - you'll be glad you did. We will be adding yet another update on recruiting shortly.

Well, let's get right to it. What was it like to start last evening?

It was fun! It was my second start of the season. Being able to start in Madison Square Garden, giving my teammates an edge, I came out and played good on ball defense. It was fun for me out there.

When did you first know you were going to start?

Two practices ago, I had a good practice. He flipped me over to the white team. I had a couple of more good practices and coach gave me a starting spot.

Was it tough sitting on the bench for much of the season?

Yeah, it was tough. That's the toughest part as a freshman. Coming into a situation where there are a lot of good players in front of you. You have a lot of moves that you can do in high school that you can't do in college (smiling). The things I had to do were watch how Jon (Scheyer) moves. Watch how he moves off the ball. I watched "G" and how he used his athleticism to get into mid range - things like that. Coach is coach! Whatever he says, I'm going to believe in.

So, you felt like you learned a lot in practice regardless?

Yeah. Learning things in practice, watching on the sideline - things I needed to learn.

A.P. writer- Talk about why you think you played ...

I guess Coach sees I can be a really good defender, an on ball defender and that I can slow down some of the guys who has hurt us in the past. Being 6-5 and an athletic guy out there I can help. I'm somebody who can make some strong

Williams said he had learned a lot in practice

moves, get into the lane and finish around the rim and just bring energy to the team.

Talk about your defense ...

When I first got here, I was moving my feet a lot. One of the things I have learned is to lock into the man and not move my feet as much because I was getting wore out early. That's one of the main things I have learned.

You seemed comfortable out there last night. Were you letting the game come to you? Is that pretty much what was going on?

Yeah, that's pretty much what was going on. If you come out too antsy you'll make dumb turnovers and not get better. One of the main things I wanted to do was just be calm and know I've been in this situation before. I just wanted to play like I knew I could play.

I talked to my Mom after the game. I didn't tell them I was going to start. She said she was proud of me and to not get settled with that and stay hungry.

Do you feel like you will build on that performance?

Exactly. That's hopefully what I'm going to do. Look back on this game and see that's how I want to play and build on that. Be more aggressive and pick my spots, play off the veteran guys and play good on ball defense.

Do you see know how Duke might use you?

Yeah. Oh yeah. That's one of the things I saw yesterday. They can use me a lot of places defensively, on ball, off ball ... and just attacking the rim and things like that. I can handle the ball pretty well so sometimes they have me help

Krzyzewski told Williams he earend the start in practice - BDNP Photo — Krzyzewski told Williams he earned the start in practice - BDNP Photo

and bring the ball up. I can play the two position - I'm a good slasher. Also, I can use my athleticism to rebound and that's what they want me to do.

You were known for some great dunks in high school. Do you look for those moments?

(smiling) When you look for them, you're probably not going to get them. You just have to let the game come to you and if it happens it happens. That's something I've learned.

I hope you don't spend too much time on the Internet reading various things, but there are some who feel you are not happy. Are you happy at Duke?

(shaking his head) Um-hum. I'm happy at Duke.

(A.P. writer) How has the transition to offense and defense been for you out there?

It was tough for me to transition from offense to defense early in the year. Because I was so excited to be out there as a freshman I used a lot of energy on defense. As I was telling him (nodding towards me) one of the things I do is try to lock into my man and be poised out there.

Can you talk a little bit about the adjustments you have had to make in college and which ones have been the most difficult?

The first thing is some of the moves I was able to make in high school, you can't do in college. You need to be strong with the ball and not so loose, being able to move without the ball. In high school I would just catch it and go ... there was no help defense, no charging ... so (laughing)

(N & O) Who had a big influence on you growing up?

My brother and my Father basketball-wise kept me going. There was a time in the seventh and eighth grade where I almost quit playing ball. To be real with you, in the seventh and eighth grade I really wasn't that good. But in the ninth grade I had a big growth spurt of about four inches. I always played guard and when I grew having guard skills helped me.

Are you looking forward to the Wake Forest game?

Oh yeah. Yeah. It should be a good game. We played pretty well out there but a few things went wrong. They're a great team - a very athletic team. Hopefully we can come away with a win.

Thanks for your time!

Freshmen help Duke in their 76-69 win over St. John’s

February 20, 2009 Mark Watson

Duke gained its 21st win of the season by disposing of St. John's in Madison Square Garden. In the process, they found a couple of new pieces to fit into the puzzle in freshmen Elliot Williams and Miles Plumlee.

Both players made positive plays, but Williams showed flashes that he could be a huge contributor as Duke readies for the season's stretch run. Williams played

Elliot Williams had his best game of the season against St. John's

good on ball defense and switched up with overall precision in Duke's man to man defense.

Williams also showed off his athleticism by making most of his offensive touches count leading his team in scoring at the half. More importantly, he looked more comfortable within the team concept than any other time this season.

Earlier in the season, Williams seemed to be seeking his shot first and foremost, but he played well within the team concept against the Johnnies. In not seeking his shot right away points came to him allowing him to show off other abilities beyond his scoring prowess.

Plumlee also had nice ups on a block, some good boards and was more relaxed on the offensive end which resulted in some key points. The emergence of the two freshmen also allowed Duke to experiment with new lineups.

But the most important thing the two newcomers brought to the table were fresh legs. Those fresh legs meshed well with team leaders Gerald Henderson, Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer.

Duke also got some great play from Lance Thomas who is showing consistency and the team survived the loss of David McClure due to a flu bug.

Paulus and Smith continued to struggle and that's part of what led to lineup changes. But the important thing on this evening was a win and this win cannot necessarily be measured by normal standards.

Duke will now try to build off this victory when Wake Forest comes into Cameron for the second to last home game of the season. Needless to say Duke needs a victory over a team ranked just ahead of them, but more importantly to stay in a crowded ACC race for the top four spots which earns a bye in the fast approaching conference tournament.

Go Duke-AP. Article

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee are McDonald’s All Americans

February 18, 2009 Mark Watson

The McDonald's All American game rosters were announced today and both 2009 Duke commitments were on the list. Ryan Kelly of Ravenscroft High School in

Raleigh, North Carolina and Mason Plumlee of Christ School Arden in Arden, North Carolina will join some of the nation's best for the most prestigious All Star Game.

In a statement released from the school, Kelly said "It’s an honor to be chosen to play in the McDonald’s All American game." He continued, “I’d like to thank my parents, family, friends, and coaches for all they have done. I would also like to thank my teammates for their support. Without them, this would not have been possible.”

The 2009 McDonald’s All American game will be played on Wednesday, April 1 at 8 p.m. at the Bank United Center in Miami. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

McDonald's All American Ryan Kelly, left

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

2011 prospect Quinn Cook chats up the Blue Devil Nation

February 17, 2009 Mark Watson

Quinn Cook is a pure point guard prospect in the class of 2011 who plays for Dematha H.S. He has started to catch the eyes of some various schools with his

2011 prospect Quinn Cook - photo copyright BDNP

play of late. Cook is recovering from a knee injury which cut short his AAU season and is still regaining his mobility. Cook pushed the ball up the floor and found his teammates in two games that the BDN covered this past month.

Here is yet another interview with a top notch prospect from Blue Devil Nation Premium.

If you have been sitting on the curb wondering whether you should subscribe, all you have to do is take a look at the premium content we provide on a consistent basis.

How are you? I'm Mark Watson with Sports Nation Network.

Good! Quinn Cook (Shaking hands) [private]

What happened to your knee? (He was wearing a brace after getting dressed and coming out to talk)

I tore my meniscus in May in an AAU tournament, so I had surgery in June and I was forced to miss the whole summer.

You're moving pretty good considering that ...

Oh yeah. Oh yeah. (smiling) We have a great training system at our school (DeMatha), so I go in the weight room and do leg extensions, squats ... I get in the pool sometimes or on a bike.

They were rotating you a lot late in the game, was that something to do with the game plan?

Yes. It's all about offensive and defensive matchups. We have a deep bench.

If somebody had never seen you play, how would you describe your game?

I'm a pass first point guard. I try to get everybody involved and make sure they get their shots.

What is it like playing for a program like DeMatha? Do you feel it prepares you for the college level?

Coach Jones, if you look at his history, he's put good players in the next level. That's who I want to be, a player that goes to the next level.

Who is your favorite NBA player?

Kobe Bryant. Yeah that's my man.

Did you follow any college programs growing up?

I never (paused for thought) I never was a die hard fan for any college team. I was just ... I always liked basketball.

Speaking of colleges, are they starting to show interest?

Mainly letters so far. If I see a coach I will talk to them.

I noticed Oliver Purnell of Clemson and Duke assistant Nate James in the crowd tonight. Would you have any interest in those kind of schools?

Yeah! Duke ... Duke, Clemson, that's the best conference in the nation.

You're a young man who obviously has a long way to go ... how old are you?

Sixteen

Any idea when you will start to take the process seriously?

This spring and this summer. but I'm not going to commit early.

So, you want to make the right choice?

Right. I have a couple of more years.

What kind of coach are you looking to play for?

One that likes to get up and down and has the resources to get me to the pros one day. A coach I can get along with too -- a people person.

How tall are you now?

6-0

Do you feel like you are still growing?

Yeah, I got some big feet. (holding up his sneakers)

Oh yeah, you still have some sprout left ... so, do you want to play at a big school?

Big school, small school, it doesn't matter. I want to cut down the nets at a school. That's what I want to do.

What kind of grades do you have?

I have good grades, but I can always do better.

What three words best describes you as a person?

Kind, smart, caring.

What do you like off the court?

Computers and video games.

Have any schools been aggressive thus far?

Georgetown, Maryland, N.C. State, Florida State, Kansas, Syracuse ...

Are you still open to other schools?

Yes.

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

To win a state championship. We fell short last year by a game, so, you know ... that's still in my mind.

What do you feel like you need to work on?

Everything. Mostly on my footwork due to the injury.

And you'll play AAU ball for ...

D.C. Assault We have a new coach, Mike McGee. He was a coach at Bishop O'Connell.

I appreciate your time and good luck the rest of the season.

Thanks a lot. [/private]

Duke Women's Basketball

Duke picks up a “Big Monday” win over Tennessee

February 17, 2009 Mark Watson

Jasmine, pictured here versus UNC, came up with some big buckets to help Duke go to 4-0 in Knoxville

Big win for Coach P and the program -

Duke closed out the series with Tennessee with a win and a 5-4 overall lead. This is the kind of victory you point to on the recruiting trail. This game also looks good on your resume when seedings are announced.

Momentum is back and so is the defense, but rebounding is the key word - Duke lost a bit of their momentum is a very disappointing loss to UNC in Chapel Hill, but came back to throttle Clemson at home. Coach P was preaching rebounding in the post game conference and that carried the Blue Devils had another good game on the glass. The Duke defense locked down the Vols for most of the night.

Jasmine Thomas - Jasmine hit some key shots when Duke needed a basket. Thomas has taken her game to another level this season and the Blue Devils will need that to continue.

Next play - Virginia Tech at home on Thursday. The game starts at 7:00 and is the second to last home game of the season.

Back to ACC play- The tournament atmosphere in Knoxville could well help the Devils during the stretch run. After the aforementioned Hokies, Duke will then travel to Maryland and Wake Forest before a season ending game with North Carolina. Needless to say, all the games are important in terms of seeding for the ACC Tournament which runs March 5th through the 8th in Greensboro.

The following is courtesy of Duke Sports Information (visit GoDuke.com for complete game coverage) -

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Seventh-ranked Duke did something only two other teams in NCAA history have done -- defeat 13th-ranked Tennessee three straight times at Thompson-Boling Arena -- on Monday night in front a national television audience as the Blue Devils posted a 62-54 victory.

Jasmine Thomas scored a game-high 19 points and Chante Black added 18 points for the Blue Devils. Duke will next host Virginia Tech on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:00 p.m.

For a full recap, click on www.GoDuke.com <http://www.goduke.com/>

---

Blue Devil Postgame Notes * Duke at Tennessee * February 16, 2009

With The Duke Victory:
*       Improved to 21-3 overall and 6-2 against ranked opponents.
*       Won its third straight contest at Tennessee in the Thompson-Boling Arena and became only the third program to ever defeat the Lady Vols at home three straight times (Texas and Louisiana Tech)
*       Moved to 6-5 in the series against Tennessee.
*       The home team in the Duke/Tennessee series moved to 1-5.
*       Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie moved to 2-2 all-time against Tennessee.
Senior Chante Black
*       Registered double-figure scoring for the 25th straight game to open the season and remains the only player in the ACC to score double-digits in all of her team's games this year.
*       Her streak of 25-straight games to open the season in double-figures is now tied for third all-time at Duke (Sue Harnett -25).
*       Finished with 18 points and a season-low two rebounds.
*       Fouled out for only the second time this season and the fourth time in her career.
*       Hit 8-of-11 field goals.
Senior Abby Waner
*       Posted five assists marking the ninth time this season she has dished out five or more assists.
*       With her five assists, moved into eighth place on Duke's all-time assist charts with 411.
Senior Carrem Gay
*       Pulled down six rebounds in only 16 minutes.
Senior Carrem Gay
*       Came off the bench to notch nine points, nine rebounds and one assist.
Junior Bridgette Mitchell
*       Made her second straight start and the eighth start of her career.
*       Registered eight rebounds in 19 minutes of action, while notching three steals and one blocked shot.
*       In her two games started, she has pulled down nine and eight rebounds.
Sophomore Karima Christmas
*       Played for the first time after suffering a concussion a week ago at North Carolina on Feb. 9. She returned to full-contact practice on Sunday.
*       Saw action in only seven minutes and had two rebounds and one steal.
Junior Keturah Jackson
*       Came off the bench to register six points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists in 22 minutes.
Sophomore Jasmine Thomas
*       Notched double-figure scoring for the fifth time out of the last seven games and a total of 10 times this season.
*       Led Duke with 19 points and a season-high seven rebounds.
Sophomore Krystal Thomas
*       Pulled down five rebounds in only nine minutes.
Other Duke Notes:
*       Wore road blue uniforms with pink and white trim for the "Pink Zone" game.
*       The Blue Devils dropped to No. 7 in the AP Poll that was released on Monday afternoon.
*       Outrebounded Tennessee 49-36 and now has outrebounded the last two opponents by a combined 32 boards.
*       Duke committed 22 turnovers but Tennessee registered only 12 points off those turnovers.
*       Its bench was outscored for the third straight game.
*       Improved to 29-3 under Coach P when holding opponents to under 40.0 percent from the field.
*       Held Tennessee to only 54 points and Duke's defense has now held 18 out of 24 opponents to 58 points or under.
*       Played its third road game out of the last four games.
*       Duke will next return home to face Virginia Tech on Thursday, Feb. 19 as the Blue Devils host the Hokies at 7:00 p.m.

---
Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final Statistics
#7/10 Duke vs #13/18 Tennessee
2-16-09 7:33 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tenn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISITORS: #7/10 Duke 21-3, 8-2 ACC
                         TOT-FG 3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
15 Bridgette Mitchell.. f 1-4    0-0    2-2    6 2 8   2   4 0 1 1 3 19
30 Carrem Gay.......... f 0-3    0-0    0-0    1 5 6   2   0 1 1 1 1 16
11 Chante Black........ c 8-11   0-0    2-5    0 2 2   5 18 1 6 1 1 32
04 Abby Waner.......... g 2-10   0-5    1-2    1 3 4   2   5 5 7 0 0 35
05 Jasmine Thomas...... g 6-9    1-2    6-8    2 5 7   3 19 2 5 0 2 36
13 Karima Christmas....    0-1    0-0    0-0    2 0 2   2   0 0 1 0 1   7
21 Joy Cheek...........    3-8    0-0    3-7    5 4 9   4   9 1 0 1 0 24
31 Keturah Jackson.....    3-4    0-0    0-3    2 2 4   0   6 2 1 0 3 22
34 Krystal Thomas......    0-5    0-0    1-2    1 4 5   1   1 0 0 1 0   9
TEAM................                         1 1 2
Totals..............   23-55   1-7   15-29 21 28 49 21 62 12 22 5 11 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 12-29 41.4%   2nd Half: 11-26 42.3%   Game: 41.8% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 1-5 20.0%   2nd Half: 0-2   0.0%   Game: 14.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 3-4 75.0%   2nd Half: 12-25 48.0%   Game: 51.7%    4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: #13/18 Tennessee 18-7, 7-3 SEC
                         TOT-FG 3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
02 Alex Fuller......... f 3-9    0-2    0-0    3 3 6   3   6 2 1 0 1 29
52 Kelley Cain......... c 4-6    0-0    2-6    1 5 6   4 10 0 0 2 1 24
05 Angie Bjorklund..... g 2-13   1-7    3-4    3 0 3   2   8 3 1 0 3 36
15 Alicia Manning...... g 1-2    1-2    0-0    1 2 3   5   3 1 2 0 2 17
40 Shekinna Stricklen.. g 2-10   0-3    2-2    0 3 3   5   6 1 4 0 1 28
01 Briana Bass.........    3-4    2-2    6-6    0 2 2   1 14 1 1 0 0 24
10 Amber Gray..........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0 1 1   0   0 0 1 0 0   5
20 Sydney Smallbone....    0-0    0-0    0-0    0 0 0   0   0 0 0 0 0   4
25 Glory Johnson.......    0-6    0-1    1-2    1 2 3   2   1 0 3 0 2 16
33 Alyssia Brewer......    3-6    0-0    0-5    3 2 5   1   6 1 3 2 0 17
TEAM................                         3 1 4             1
Totals..............   18-56   4-17 14-25 15 21 36 23 54 9 17 4 10 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 8-26 30.8%   2nd Half: 10-30 33.3%   Game: 32.1% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 2-7 28.6%   2nd Half: 2-10 20.0%   Game: 23.5%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 5-7 71.4%   2nd Half: 9-18 50.0%   Game: 56.0%    6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: Dee Kantner, Bryan Enterline, Eric Brewton
Technical fouls: #7/10 Duke-None. #13/18 Tennessee-None.
Attendance: 16990
Score by Periods                1st 2nd   Total
#7/10 Duke....................   28   34 -   62
#13/18 Tennessee..............   23   31 -   54
UT's #40 fouls out @ 4:02/2 DU's #11 fouls out @1:31/2
UT's #15 fouls out @ 39.8/2

Points in the paint-DUKE 28,TENN 24. Points off turnovers-DUKE 14,TENN 12.
2nd chance points-DUKE 11,TENN 15. Fast break points-DUKE 6,TENN 2.
Bench points-DUKE 16,TENN 21. Score tied-2 times. Lead changed-0 times.
Last FG-DUKE 2nd-01:41, TENN 2nd-00:47.
Largest lead-DUKE by 16 2nd-08:51, TENN None.

Duke Women's Basketball

Duke Women travel to Tennessee – ESPN 2 Big Monday Match up

February 16, 2009 Mark Watson

Much like the Duke Men's team, the Duke Women are losing out the 2009 season with a very challenging schedule. Coach P and Duke righted the ship versus Clemson after a bitter defeat to the hands of arch rival UNC. But tonight they face one of the traditional powers in Tennessee. Duke will travel to Knoxville for a "Big Monday" game with the Vols, one which will be played in front of a national audience on ESPN 2. The Duke Women will wear blue and pink uniforms to honor Kay Yow and breast cancer awareness. Tonight's game will further prepare the Blue Devils for the upcoming post season and they have an opportunity to compete against the best. Be sure to tune in and support the Duke Women's team as they embark on a brutal stretch run to close the season.

Game note provided by Duke Sports Information -

No. 4 Duke Travels To No. 15 Tennessee For Big Monday On ESPN2...
     In its second straight "Big Monday" game on ESPN2, the fourth-ranked Duke women's basketball team (20-3, 8-2 ACC) will travel to Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday, Feb. 16 for a 7:30 p.m., contest against 15th-ranked Tennessee (18-6, 7-3 SEC) in the Thompson-Boling Arena and Assembly Center.
     The game will be aired live on ESPN2 with Pam Ward (PXP), Carolyn Peck (Color) and Rebecca Lobo (Color) calling the action. Fans can also hear the Blue Devils live on the radio on WDNC AM 620 with Steve Barnes (PXP) and Morgan Patrick (Color) on the air.
     Monday's game is Tennessee's "Pink Zone" game and the Blue Devils will wear blue and pink uniforms for the first time. The Blue Devils are in a stretch where they are playing four ranked opponents in six games and three out of four road contests. In the rankings, Duke is listed No. 4 in the Associated Press and No. 10 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Polls, while Tennessee is No. 15 and No. 18, respectively.

Media Info

What: Duke at Tennessee
Date: February 16, 2009
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Venue: Thompson-Boling Arena (21,678)
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: WDNC 620 AM
Radio Talent: Steve Barnes (PXP), Morgan Patrick (Color)
TV: ESPN2
TV Talent: Pam Ward (PXP), Carolyn Peck (Color), Rebecca Lobo (Sideline)
Livestats: www.GoDuke.com

Noting Duke...
Chante Black is the only player in the ACC to score double-figures in all of her team's games ... 10-of-12 Duke players have hit at least one three-pointer ... seven different Duke players have led the team in scoring on the year ... the Blue Devils have won 56 out of their last 60 home ACC regular season contests ... senior Carrem Gay leads Duke with 11 charges taken on the season and 29 for her career ... Duke holds a 840-463 points in the paint advantage on the year.

A Look At Tennessee...
Tennessee enters the contest with an 18-6 overall and 7-3 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Lady Vols have been led by Shekinn Stricklen (13.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 24 treys), Angie Bjorklund (12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 40 treys), Glory Johnson (11.8 points, 7.7 rebounds) and Alex Fuller (7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds).
So far this year, Tennessee has registered an 11-1 record at home with the lone loss coming against Virginia, who is also in the ACC.

The Series With Tennessee...
     Duke and Tennessee enter Monday with a 5-5 series record, but Duke has won three out of the last four meetings. The first five contests between the Blue Devils and Lady Vols were all at neutral sites prior to the two schools starting a home and home series in 2004. This year's contest will mark an end of the regular season series for right now.
     Since the series began in 2004, the home team has won only one of the five contests, which was the Blue Devils in 2006. Duke has notched a 2-0 record all-time in Knoxville, Tenn., winning in 2004 and 2007.
     The first five contests that were at neutral sites were --   Dec. 6, 1998, in the Disney Honda Elite Four as Tennessee won 74-60; on March 22, 1999, in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight as Duke won 69-63; on Dec. 27, 2001, in the ACC/SEC Shootout as Tennessee won 89-68; on Nov. 24, 2002, in the Jimmy V Women's Basketball Classic as Duke won 76-55 and on Apr. 6, 2003, in the NCAA Final Four as Tennessee won 66-56 in Atlanta, Ga.
     Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie owns a 1-2 overall record against Tennessee. Last year in her first year with the Blue Devils, Coach P fell, 67-64. In 2005, her Michigan State team lost, 83-55, in the Paradise Jam to the Lady Vols. In her first meeting, McCallie's Michigan State team upset third-ranked Tennessee, 68-64, in the NCAA Final Four.

Blue Devils Look To Continue Streak At Thompson-Boling Arena...
Duke has won its only two contests against Tennessee in the Thompson-Boling Arena in 2004 and 2007. If the Blue Devils win on Monday, they will become only the third program to ever win three straight games at the Thompson-Boling Arena -- Texas (1983-84, '85-86 and '87-88) and Louisiana Tech (1981-82, '83-84 and '85-86).
In the Blue Devils two victories at Tennessee, the margin of victory has been by a total of six points -- 59-57 in 2004 and 74-70 in 2007. In the last game in Knoxville, Duke got off to an excellent 19-0 start and held the Lady Vols without a field goal until the 14:10 mark. The Blue Devils held a 38-27 lead at the half and ended up winning 74-70.

Storylines/Other Blue Devil Notes...
     * Both Tennessee and Duke each had two members on the 2007 U19 World Championship team that picked up a gold medal in Bratislava, Slovakia. Jasmine Thomas and Krystal Thomas from Duke and Vicki Baugh and Angie Bjorklund from Tennessee each led the squad to a perfect 9-0 mark and a gold medal.
     * The Blue Devils own an 8-3 overall record in road and neutral games this season. Two of the losses came at Florida State and North Carolina.
     * Duke freshman Shay Selby and Tennessee freshman Glory Johnson each played on the Blue Team during the 2007 USA Basketball Developmental Festival. The squad notched a 2-3 record as both Selby and Johnson started four games each. Johnson averaged 11.6 points and Selby averaged 10.6.
     * Sophomore Jasmine Thomas tied a career high with six assists against Clemson in the last game and her six assists was a season high.
     * Senior Abby Waner has hit two or more three-pointers in six out of the last seven games.
     * Jasmine Thomas is averaging 12.0 points, 3.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals over the last six games. She has registered double-digit scoring in four of the six games, including matching a career high with 22 points at Virginia. She hit a career-high 10 field goals in the victory.
     * Joy Cheek's father, Boris, officiated his second NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii recently.
     * In the last game, sophomore Krystal Thomas came off the bench to register 16 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes. She hit a career-high eight free throws and attempted a career-high 11.
     * Over the last three games, Joy Cheek has averaged only 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, while hitting only 26.1 percent of her field goals (6-of-23).
     * Duke owns a 93-11 record in ACC regular season action since the 2001-02 campaign.
     * Duke registered a season-high 50.8 percent shooting at Virginia on Feb. 5, which marked the fourth time under Coach P the Blue Devils have shot over 50.0 percent from the field in two years (2nd this season).
     * If Chante Black keeps on her current average of 8.7 rebounds a contest, she could become only the third player in ACC history to notch over 1,300 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 blocks. Black currently owns 1,322 points, 916 rebounds and 243 blocks. Only UNC's Dawn Royster and Clemson's Peggy Caple have accomplished these types of numbers.
     * The 29.3 percent shooting at North Carolina was the second-worst field goal percentage of the season and only the second time the Blue Devils have shot under 30.0 percent this year (Hartford - 26.6).
     * Sophomore Karima Christmas is averaging 10.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and0.8 assists in ACC action. She has hit 55.7 percent of her field goals, which ranks second in the ACC.
     * Since kicking off ACC play, Duke's bench players have hit 13-of-30 three-pointers for a 43.3 percentage. Seven different Blue Devils have hit treys in those games -- Jackson, Gay, Cheek, Scheer, Selby, Mitchell and Christmas.
     * With Karima Christmas scoring 21 points against Miami on Jan. 9, Duke has now registered four different players with 20+ points in a game this season.
     * WithDuke's win over No. 3 Stanford on Dec. 16, Coach P won her third contest against a top-five ranked team in just her second season with the Blue Devils. McCallie has notched victories against Stanford while the head coach at Maine, Michigan State and Duke.
     * Duke has five different players who have blocked 10 or more shots this season.

Christmas Recovering From Concussion...
     Duke sophomore KarimaChristmas suffered a concussion in the second half of the North Carolina contest on Feb. 9. She passed her IMPACT concussion test on Friday, Feb. 13 but was not cleared for contact and did not play against Clemson.
     She is expected to return to full contact practice on Sunday, Feb. 15 and will be a game-time decision at Tennessee.
     Over the last nine games, Christmas has averaged 10.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and hit 55.7 percent of her field goals.
     She registered 21 points against Miami, 17 at N.C. State and 18 points at Virginia during that stretch.

Waner Nets School Record...
With her three-pointer made at the 14:24 mark of the first half against Clemson, senior Abby Waner became Duke's all-time leader in three-point field goals made.
She now owns 204 treys breaking Georgia Schweitzer's mark of 202, who played for Duke from 1998-2001. Waner also moved into 14th place on the ACC career three-pointers made list.

Duke Players Vs. Tennessee...
       In three games against Tennessee, senior Abby Waner has averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while hit 9-of-18 three-pointers. In one of her best performances of her career, she scored 21 points on 5-of-5 shooting from long range in the first half in 2007 at Tennessee. She finished with 24 points and six treys.
     Over the last two games against the Lady Vols, Chante Black has averaged 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals. She has hit 11-of-17 field goals in those games for a 64.7 percentage.
     Last year as a freshman, Jasmine Thomas notched 13 points, three steals and one rebound in 30 minutes against the Lady Vols. She hit 3-of-4 from downtown and 5-of-10 from the field.