Tag Archives: Duke Basketball

BDN talks to Jon Scheyer about running the point

I wasted little time in asking Jon about starting at the PG spot. Scheyer was patient as always answering questions.

So, let’s get right to the point, pardon the pun. What’s it like to run the point?

You know, I feel comfortable with it. It’s something I have done in practice a lot and through out the year. I think that it gives some advantages to the offense on our team and I feel comfortable doing it. I jsthink some of it has to do with match ups. Also a big thing is guarding the ball and Elliot has been doing a good job of that of late, guarding a point guard. And Nolan is really our best guy doing that. In practice recently he’s done a better job in trying to get back to where he was guarding the ball. I think for myself I can create mismatches bring the ball up. I can work off the ball … it’s not like I need to bring the ball up.

Did you sense Elliot was a little bit more under control?

He was. That’s as strong of moves he’s made all year in a game. He’s done it in practice, but in games … for being a freshman in that situation starting a pretty big game, he had a lot of poise in that game.

Can you talk of the defense which was so good all season? What has been going in in the last few games?

I think the biggest thing is us determining what the offense is going to do. They just played their offense and we just followed them around the court. We’re at our best when we are attacking people offensively and defensively. I think that’s what we lost during that stretch. Even though we had some losses, those games were learning experiences for us.

After the Boston College loss Duke seemed to pull close together and little was heard until now. Was that K’s way of saying …

I think he … the main thing was we need to have toughness on the court, we need to play defense and whatever the lineup was going to be, Coach wanted to put a line up out there that could do that. Going into the St. John’s game we were to be tough, play defense and not be scared. Moving forward that’s the things we have to do.

When did you first know you be starting at point?

The day after the game he told me. That’s something I was excited about because for me I felt it would be kind of a way to play a new position a little bit. Just trying to think of the season from the St. John’s game on is kind of like a new season in a way.

Do you feel like the line-up will stay in place?

I don’t know. Coach seems really serious. All the guys like the way it’s going right now. So we are probably going to stay with it, but I can’t really predict how long or if the next game we’ll switch it up. But right now, I feel like this is something that can help our team. The season is so long that it’s almost like a fresh feel to it, especially for me, but the team in general sometimes needs something different in the middle of the year. Also, someone like Elliot - he’s having some great minutes for us in practice and that’s exciting.

How about Gerald Henderson, whats he like at home?

Aw, he just like sleeps on the couch all day. (smiling) I’ll say one nice thing about him and that’s it. He really loves basketball and he really studies the game as well as anybody I know. As much as I make fun of him for watching Kobe Bryant all the time. He studies Kobe and tries to do some of his moves and gets yelled at in practice for doing them. He’s always watching our games and opposing teams plays. Pretty much anytime he hears Kobe, he just stops everything and switches the TV.

Do you have anybody you watch?

You know, I like a bunch of players, but I’m not (laughing) obsessed with one person like he is with Kobe. God forbid what would happen if he played him in a year or two. I don’t what would happen if he was guarding him, he might ask him for his autograph on the court.

In the last couple of seasons there has been a late year slide. Is that what’s sort of going on here?

I think we got into the same thing. This is the point in the season where we can either change it or have it be the same thing. In my freshman year I didn’t have too much control. The upperclassmen that are going through it … it’s up to us. That’s something we feel we’re in control and we can change it. We just have to take it game by game and not put too much pressure on ourselves.

BDN Premium Interview – Duke Freshman Elliot Williams

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
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
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!




Loss to Boston College was disappointing, but not shocking

No real surprise- Boston College needed a win for an NCAA berth and they bared down and got the win.  True, they lost to Harvard, but they defeated UNC in Chapel Hill and now have 19 wins.  Traveling to Chestnut Hill is the longest road hggwcqqocyalbck_200902160208111trip in the ACC, add to that the Sunday slot no team wants to play in and it's no real surprise here that Duke lost.  Oh!  Did I mention coming off the emotional UNC game?  Besides, when a team hits little runners thought he lane, you know you are in trouble.  Those are the kind of shots a defense wants to see, unless of course they fall.  In short, give the Eagles credit for their effort and Skinner has proven to be one of the better coaches in the ACC going after players under the radar in recruiting.  Keep in mind, the last time BC beat Duke was in 1985, so the law of averages caught up to the Dukies.

Still disappointing - Duke had a comfortable working margin and let it get away from them going into the half.  While it's not a shameful loss, Duke had their opportunities to win yet came up short.  You never want to lose a close conference game.

The good - Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson continue to put this team on their backs.  Inspired play from Lance Thomas helped keep Duke in the game.  In fact, Duke was pretty much always in this game.  The season is far from over and there is plenty of time to correct the issues.

The concerns- The guard play production was not at the level it needs to be.  Paulus and Smith had combined numbers that fell short of what a food PG should produce.  Jon Scheyer is mired in the worst shooting slump of his career, but he keeps shooting and that's the only way to break out of a funk.  The defense has let up a ton of points in the last two games and BC and UNC's shooting percentages were ridiculous.

Brutal stretch continues - Duke is no longer in contention for the regular season at 7-4 and must now find a way to make sure they remain in the top four to avoid a play in game.  With Wake Forest and Florida State at home and Maryland, Virginia Tech and UNC on the road it will take a rejuvenated team to get the job done.

Don't overlook St. John's - Duke has a very fragile psyche right now and it is important for them to focus on St. Johns and try and build good work habits - the ones they started the year with.

Duke Basketball Team Report, looking back and looking ahead

Coach K's Birthday -Let's start off by wishing Coach Mike Krzyzewski a happy birthday.  I remember when Coach first came to Durham and I'm glad we have both seen birthdays since that time.  We are truly lucky that he came to Duke and I am in awe of the job he has done.

Looking back on UNC, the positives - Duke found it's offense in that game and the staff wants that to carry over.  The Blue Devils competed until the end. 

Singlers elbow was hardly intentional
Singlers elbow was hardly intentional

To simply play in a game like this helps prepare teams for the wars ahead.  For the most part Duke neutralized the perceived player of the year Tyler Hansbrough.

Why UNC won -They were the better team - you have to give them that.  Ty Lawson has really turned it on after a sluggish start to the season.  UNC spread the floor well in the second half which allowed Lawson to operate and find the open man.  The Heels would have been in a big hole in the first half if it weren't for the Fraser three point shots, his play was vital and timely.  UNC was 27 of 31 from the free throw stripe and got there a lot more than the Devils.  UNC shot the ball very well.

The AC - There is no getting around talking about this.  Fans were miserable from the heat and a look back at the film shows the Duke players slipping much

Most of Hansbroughs points came on free throws and a desperation three point shot
Most of Hansbroughs points came on free throws and a desperation three point shot

more often than their opponent.  Many of those slips came in the second half and unforced turnovers allowed UNC to spurt ahead for good.

Singlers elbow -  How anyone can see that Single intentionally tried to elbow Hansbrough is beyond me.  If you look at his hand, it's going for the ball.  Tyler is a tough kid, yet he went down to the floor like it was a left hook.  Is there a such thing as a "rabbit elbow?"

Harrison Barnes visit -Well, at this point it's no secret tha Harrison Barnes visited for the game.  In short he enjoyed his visit and this was the second time he payed out of pocket for the journey.  We go into more detail in our subscription section - Blue Devil Nation Premium.  If you want to be in the know on recruiting, it's the place to be.  Discuss the latest happenings in our premium members only message board.

Next play, Boston College - This is indeed a trap game.  Duke is coming off an emotional and draining game and yet they travel to Chestnut Hill to take on a dangerous Eagles team.  This is the same team that went into the Dean Dome and came away with a victory.

Tyrese Rice - You can bet that Al Skinner watched the film and that the Eagles

Paulus will play a key role if Duke is to get a road win at BC
Paulus will play a key role if Duke is to get a road win at BC

will turn this guy loose.  For the second straight game Duke will face an elite PG.  How Duke defends Rice will be a key to the game.

The game is pretty darn important - Duke now has three losses and they have entered a log jam of teams in the conference.  True, all conference games are important, but responding well after defeat is almost a must for confidence.  This is the only time Duke plays BC this (regular) season. 

Brutal stretch -Duke has five road games at Boston College, St, Johns, Maryland, Virginia Tech remaining and just two home games against Wake Forest and Florida State.  Duke wants to carry some momentum into the tournaments and it will not be an easy task.  At this time, teams are jockeying for NCAA seeding.  Duke just happened to get saddled with a brutal conference schedule, another testament how unfair the unbalanced schedules can be.  In short, there is not a single game left where Duke doesn't have to give maximum effort.

Duke Basketball Team Report going into the UNC game

The offensive woes of late - While Duke has struggled in conference games offensively, averaging 70.6 ppg, they still remain third in the conference overall at 78.2.  During yesterday's press conference, Krzyzewski openly joked about his offense in the last couple of games before taking on a serious tone saying, "We're still trying to find our identity offensively.  But we are trying to find ways of incorporate more people, not just the three point shot.  We need to put ourselves in a position to get fouled a little bit more and get it into the post.  Not just the post for big men, but Gerald.  We're still very much developing there.  The offense has got to get better."  Duke is clearly waiting for the offense to come into its own but with eight regular season games left it has become a concern.  "Our offense takes on the identity of our key players," said Krzyzewski who will adjust his offense to roster personnel.

The defense is solid -"Our defense and rebounding is up a notch or two  from last year and that's why we've won," said Krzyzewski.  The Blue Devils are letting

Henderson hopes to continue his play of late vs UNC
Henderson hopes to continue his play of late vs UNC

up just 61.0 ppg, but they will be tested like no other game versus UNC who averages 92.3 ppg. 

Rebounding is solid - Duke is third in the conference in rebounding despite their lack of depth inside.  The team has bought into how important this is.  UNC will surely try to dominate the glass in Cameron and it'll take one of Dukes better efforts to offset this.

Dave McClure -A huge plus of late has been the outstanding play of Dave McClure who is showing senior leadership.  "David has always been a solid player in our program and a part time starter.  What he's done this year is be an outstanding defender and the ultimate role player.  He's done a lot of little things that end up being big things.  In the game Saturday, he's probably good for gaining 18 possessions for us - thirteen on rebounds and five  keeping the ball alive.  That's a lot of points and there is no stats for that," said Krzyzewski of his play.  He went on to say his role was similar to what Dennis Rodman use to do for the Bulls which is high praise. 

Greg Paulus will start- Kryzewski announced that Greg Paulus would start on Wednesday.  "Greg didn't so much re-earn his spot, he will start obviously 

Dave McClure has been to consumate role player this season
Dave McClure has been to consumate role player this season

against, or maybe not so obviously against Carolina.  Greg played a great game on Saturday.  He did that while we as a group were going through a very adverse time.  When somebody steps up when we are going through adversity, that's the best.  He played a great game, he was all over the place," said Krzyzewski.  He went on to say that Paulus has dealt with a lot of frustration not being able to prepare in the off season for his senior year due to injury.

Nolan Smith is okay and ready as well -"This is a good thing for Nolan.  Nolan is a much developing player.  He's played really good basketball for us.  All of a sudden you are in intense conference play and we are not functioning well offensively puts even more pressure on him," said Krzyzewski.  Expect to see both Smith and Paulus play together some versus UNC and Smith is still considered to be a starter.  Smith later stated that he was okay with the decision, but it was clear it may have motivated him a bit to for now, lose his spot at the "1" position.

Gerald Henderson- "For over a month now, he's been pretty good," said Krzyzewski, calling him their most established player offensively.  Henderson keyed a second half run versus Miami but had only two points in the first half.  "In the first half, he was more of a shooter and in the second half he attacked.  He has to remember that's who he is." said Coach.

Kyle Singler -"Physically, he's okay.  He's just playing like a warrior.  Maybe he needs to be a little bit more precise on his technique when shooting.  He's missed some lay ups that have been in and out.  He just needs to keep doing it.  We need f

Paulus will get the start against Carolina
Paulus will get the start against Carolina

or him to stay aggressive, but physically he's okay," said Krzyzewski.  Singler had been sick but is better now.  In short Duke wants him to shoot through his many drought.

How to slow the UNC offense- Krzyzewski said it would be a huge challenge and that it would take a team effort to slow them down.  He also made reference to how important bench play would be in this game.  "To win big games you try to play well for forty minutes and that's what we are going to try to do and they are going to try an not let us play well," stated Krzyzewski.

Interesting K quote- "None of my players are where I want them to be because I always want them to be better."

Closing K quote - "You know, we get a chance to play a game of this level.  Not many programs in the United States would ever play this level of game and we get to play it twice.  Historically, this game has helped both programs win or lose because you've been tested.  I think that's the most important ... over the years Duke and Carolina have made each other better.  It's a good game to be at and a heck of a game to be in."  He went on to say that the most relevant thing in this game is that both teams were 7-2 in the conference and atop the conference coming into the game.

Blue Devils use tough defense to rout Cavaliers

geraldDuke used an early 27-7 run to build a 22 point halftime lead and coast to a 79-54 win over the Virginia Cavaliers. Gerald Henderson and Nolan Smith led the Blue Devils with 18 and 15 points respectively. Jon Scheyer contributed 11 points and was the team's leading rebounder with seven.

Duke utilized tough defense to fuel its offense turning Virginia over 23 times including 17 turnovers in the first half. Duke scored 29 points off of turnovers, while Virginia only managed two points off of nine turnovers. Throughout the game, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski urged the Blue Devils to stay in passing lanes and push the ball off turnovers and rebounds.

Gerald Henderson made a 3-point bucket to start the game and Duke never relinquished the lead. Sylven Landesberg led Virginia with 20 points.

This was an important win for Duke as they were coming off a disappointing loss to Wake Forest on Wednesday. Next up for Duke is a trip to Littlejohn Coliseum to face the Clemson Tigers.

LINKS:

Smith sets tone as Devils rout Cavs
Give Duke its due, but Virginia is pitiful
Henderson scores 18, leads Duke past Virginia
Devils put on a dominating show
Cavs fall apart - yet again
Cavaliers Can't Slow No. 1 Duke
Tomko: What A Difference A Game Makes