Tag Archives: Duke Blue Devils

Duke Basketball

NIT Final, Duke vs UConn Official Game Notes

nsGame 6 * NIT Season Tip-Off Final

[7 AP/7 Coaches] Duke (5-0) vs. [13 AP/13 Coaches] Connecticut (4-0)

Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 * 5:00 p.m. * ESPN

Madison Square Garden (19,763) * New York, N.Y.

The Opening Tip

Duke (5-0), ranked seventh in the AP poll and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll, faces 13th-ranked Connecticut (4-0) on Friday, Nov. 27 at 5:00 p.m in the final of the NIT Season Tip-Off. Friday's contest will be aired by ESPN with Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale and Doris Burke calling the action.

The Last Time Out

Duke is coming off a 64-53 win over Arizona State on Wednesday in the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Senior Jon Scheyer led the way with 16 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Nolan Smith scored 14 points. Junior Kyle Singler added 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the win. Freshman Andre Dawkins contributed eight points, including a pair of three-point field goals.

The Blue Devils held Arizona State to 39.1 percent (18-of-46) from the field, including 28.6 percent (6-of-21) in the second half. Duke has now held the opposition below 40 percent shooting in four straight games.

NIT Season Tip-Off History

Duke is 21-2 all-time in the NIT Season Tip-Off, including an 9-2 mark at Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils have won 11 straight games in the tournament. Duke won the first NIT Season Tip-Off championship in 1985 and also claimed tournament titles in 2000 and 2005.

Numbers Game

l Mike Krzyzewski (837) and Jim Calhoun (809) have combined for 1,646 career wins. Friday's contest marks the first meeting between 800+ win coaches.

l Duke is 26-2 in in-season tournaments over the past nine seasons. The Blue Devils have won 10 straight in-season tournament games.

l Duke is 24-14 all-time, including a 19-6

mark under Mike Krzyzewski, at Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils have won four straight and 11 of their last 12 games at MSG.

l The Blue Devils are 101-10 in the month of November under Coach K. Duke has won 21 straight games in the month, dating back to a Nov. 21, 2006 loss to Marquette.

l The Blue Devils have won six of their last nine games and are 104-44 all-time against current Big East teams.

l Kyle Singler has scored in double figures in 20 straight games and in 64 of 76 career contests.

l Sophomore Miles Plumlee is averaging 10.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game after recording 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game a year ago. He has four double figure scoring games and two double-doubles on the year.

l Jon Scheyer has 27 assists and just two turnovers in 171 minutes of action on the year. The Northbrook, Ill., native has led the Blue Devils in assists in all five games and leads the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 13.5:1.

l Junior Nolan Smith has reached double figures in scoring in three straight games. He is averaging a team-high 19.3 points per game, a scoring jump of +10.9 ppg. from a year ago.

l Andre Dawkins has a team-best 14 three-point field goals on the year. He is shooting 48.3 percent (14-of-29) from three-point range and has made two or more threes in four of five games. Dawkins ranks third in the ACC in three-point percentage.

l Senior Brian Zoubek ranks third in the ACC in offensive rebounds at 4.4 orpg. He also ranks 12th in the conference at 8.0 rebounds per game, despite playing just 15.0 minutes per contest.

l Duke has held its last four opponents under 40 percent shooting from the field. The Blue Devils are 296-9 under Mike Krzyzewski when holding opponents under 40 percent shooting.

l The Blue Devils limited Arizona State to 53 points on Wednesday and have now held three of their five opponents under 60 points scored.

l Duke leads the ACC in free throw percentage .722 (80-of-103) and ranks second in three-point percentage .422 (47-of-112).

l Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith each played the entire 40 minutes in Wednesday's win over Arizona State. The trio combined for 43 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in the game

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Prospect Tony Kimbro continues to work on his right hand (Now free to public)

kimbro-300x255Blue Devil Nation Premium covered the Carolina Challenge this past weekend, and this is the first in a series of reports on the top players in the state of North Carolina.

So, what's changed since the last time I saw you at the Glaxo Invitational in Raleigh?

My jump shot and my right hand.

Do you mean you're working on that more often?

Yes.  I've been working on going to my right more often and my jump shot.

Has anything changed in regards to  your list of schools?

Not really.

Can you list them for me?

Oklahoma State has offered and Louisville has been in touch of late.  I'm getting a lot of letters and contacts.  I have pretty much the same list that I did in Raleigh.  (See our first interview with Kimbro which is located in our premium section)

What has Coach Gaines had to say to you?

He just said I need to step up and not just be a role player.

With Christ School's heavy losses, you will likely start ...

Yes sir.

Mason Plumlee was your roommate this past season and you obviously know him well.  What has he said to you or left you with since he will soon graduate?

He just said that when you come here (Carolina Challange) make sure that you work hard and play hard because you don't know who is looking at you or who is watching you.

Who will you play your AAU ball with over the summer?

I'm playing with Loyalty out of Louisville, Kentucky.

Of course, you are from there and your Dad played for the Cards.  Are you enjoying their run of late?

Yes, sir.  I'm loving it.

Do you think that's your dream school?

I've started to like Louisville a lot more.  I like the work they put into the game and that they never settle, always wanting more.

How do you feel about your play in the first game?

I feel like I played real well.

Are you still open to other schools besides Louisville and Oklahoma State?

Definitely.  It's still early in the process.

Good luck to you the rest of the day.

Thank you.

BDNP overview - Kimbro has some interest in Duke [private] , but the Blue Devils have made just casual contact.  Coach K sent word to Christ School coach David Gaines about what Tony needed to work on when he visited a practice earlier this past season.  Coach Gaines told me that he hoped to talk Kimbro into staying local this summer and playing for an area AAU team.  He stated that his Mom likely thought that would be a good idea too.  Kimbro still needs work on going to his right for that will be exposed at some point.  He is always around the glass and picks up a lot of garbage buckets, but needs to develop a consistent pull up jump shot.  His on ball defense is pretty good for his age.  He does take plays off on occasion, but when motivated shows off his talents. [/private]

Duke Basketball

Holiday Thank You’s and Wishes to Duke Athletics, members, fans and more

[private]First of all, the BDN Team of Bob, Susan and myself would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  While I know many of you are traveling and or are enjoying time with your family, Istill want to bring you a few Holiday thanks and well wishes.  I hope you take the time to read our Christmas and Holiday well wishes to everyone from the Duke Band to Coach K!

I would like to thank our premium members and daily readers who make up the Blue Devil Nation.  We, at BDN, feel that all of us make up the Nation and we continue to expand that community.  Our members allow us to keep the BDN going and in return we try to give them the best inside coverage available.  Without subscribers, we couldn't bring our coverage to the rest of the Duke Community and make no mistake, we need that support.

Let's put a special emphasis on Coach K, who continues his success with his juggernaut program.  He helped give the whole country a Gold Medal and continues to be a steward for the game itself.  You have given us so many wonderful memories and thanks for letting us share the ride.  We are very fortunate to have Mike Krzyzewski at the helm.   We wish his entire clan, dogs and all the best!

I would like to also think the fine staff under him.  Our best to Chris Collins,Steve Wojciechowski, Nate James, Chris Carawell and their families!.  Collins and Wojo are some of the hardest working and most dedicated coaches in the game and we need to enjoy them while they're here for programs will soon come knocking.  It's comforting to see you guys on the sidelines.

Nobody was happier than me when Nate and Chris joined the program.  Nate is an articulate young man who will suceed at this level and Chris has a desire to succeed that will serve him as well.  The BDN will soon have an article up on their Basketball Clinic where our members and supporters allowed us to send kids to their camp from lesser fortunate backgrounds.  Welcome to the program guys!

Then there are the Duke Men's Basketball players.  Thanks a lot for building new memories for us fans and representing the program with the utmost dignity and spirit.  As fans, we look forward to the rest of the season and we back you all thick and thin. Thanks to Paulus for his amazing leadership and Singler for is amazing knowledge of the game, Henderson for his athleticism and help defense, Scheyer for his hard work in the off season, Zoubs for his resilient play, McClure for his fighting through injuries to become a key contributor, Smith for him taking on the role of a leader, Thomas for his tenacity, Pocius, Johnson, Davidson,  Williams, Plumlee and Czyz for being on the best team in America.

Let's not forget Coach P and her group of fine young women.  The Duke Women's Basketball team has had a run of recent victories and the best is yet to come!  The BDN enjoys covering their games and looks forward to the senior season ahead for Abby, Chante and Careem.  Go out there and make some memories girls!  We'd also like to thank SID Lindy Brown for making our coverage possible.  He's one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

That brings us to Duke Football Coach David Cutcliffe!  We at the BDN hope you take a much needed break from your hard work on and off the field to enjoy time with your family.  It's been a pleasure getting to know you and your staff this season and as a football fan, I would like to thank you for letting Duke fans and myself know you'll get the job done.   You have assembled a great staff and I want to give them all a Holiday shout out, from OC Kurt Roper to Ethan Johnson, you all make up a heck of a family.  Oh, and those in the office too, led by my pal Peggy.

I would like to also wish happy holidays to all the players who worked so hard with a special emphasis to three outstanding seniors who led both side of the ball in Michael Tauiliili and Cameron Goldberg and Eron Riley.

Warm "Holiday Wishes," to new Athletic Director and Vice President Kevin White as well.  You have been a wonderful addition for Duke University and your leadership skills and vision will serve us all well.  Seeing how you are so hands on during our coverage is more than just a little encouraging.

I wish Mike Cragg a continued and speedy recovery from his recent surgery.  Cragg is a good guy and he serves Duke well which includes a lot more than his work with the Legacy Fund.

Another shout out for a safe holiday to our spirited and lovely Duke Cheerleaders.  While you may seem under appreciated, I'd like you to know that you gals have been BDN's most popular photo gallery.  And we'll have that gallery back up soon.  You will always be recognized by the Blue Devil Nation as will the ...

Duke Band!  Thanks for all of your hard work and spirit!  Having met some of you, I can tell the Nation that you are some fine young men and women.  The teams and fans need you!  GTHC!

And lest we forget the best mascot in America - the Blue Devil!

The Cameron Crazies and Wade Wacko's!  Thanks for you current past and continued support.  Your importance cannot be understated.  That said, go home, rest up and celebrate with friends and family.  Then come back and cheer hard.

The best of the Holidays to my friends and Knights of the Round Table during media events, Jim Sumner, Bill Brill, Bob Harris and Al Featherston.  It's always nice to rub elbows with you guys.  A special thanks to John Roth as well for his hard work for Duke and the opportunities he's allowed me.

And warm wishes to my network of sources who if I mentioned you all, everybody would use you;)  Thanks for the information and working together.

Hope the Duke Sports Information Department Team has a nice break themselves.  And let's not forget Frank Dascenzo who keeps me entertained with his memories.  There are many others, [/private]

Duke Basketball

Duke rides 40 of 47 free throw shooting to win over Southern Illinois

[private]Duke got a little bit defensive on their way to a 83-58 win over Southern Illinois to advance to the finals of the 2K Coaches for Cancer Classic in New York City.  Going into the game, there was much talk of the Saluki's defense, but by games end Duke proved that they are known for their man to man prowess as well.

Duke shot an incredible 40 of 47 from the free throw stripe during a contest in which they struggled in the first half offensively.  The bright spot was Gerald Henderson who scored 20 points not to mention gaining the ESPN Play of the Day on a thunderous dunk.

He was helped by the continued good play of Brian Zoubek, who tallied 10 points and 6 rebounds in just 18 minutes of play.  Singler and Scheyr contribute 13 apiece, putting four Devils in double figures.  Duke advances to play Michigan, an upset winner over UCLA this evening.

The game went pretty much as our preview said it would in that Duke used the first game to adjust to MSG and got one of their key contributors in Henderson to step up.[/private]