Tag Archives: watzone

Duke Basketball, Duke Football

BDN Monday Musings-Kyrie, Milestones, Motivation, Recruiting and the Cheerleader of the Week

BDN salutes another member of the team behind the team - Photo Rick Crank for BDN

It's time for this week's Monday Musings piece where we think  out loud and  ponder the happenings around Duke Athletics.  This week we talk Kyrie Irving, the December schedule, and recruiting on the Duke Basketball front, Cutcliffe being on the road, a big game for the women's hoops team and we bring you the Duke Cheerleader of the Week.

Will maintaining motivation be a problem for Duke?

Duke just finished a stretch of games that included wins over Marquette, Kansas State, Oregon, Michigan State and Butler leaving us  to question if the Blue Devils can keep up their intensity during the easiest stretch of the season.  In December, players are hard at work in school and on the verge of the Holidays where many will go home for  few days.  It is not unusual for focus to drift but the thinking here is that Duke has too many players wanting to show their stuff and that should prevent too many let downs.  Duke will take on Bradley and St. Louis this week followed by a nine day break before another home contest with Elon and the team will then take another nine day break before travelling just down the road to face UNC-Greensboro.  Face it, Duke will win all of those contests easily and that will push their record to 12-0.  The reason for my confidence is as mentioned that players on the bench will want to show their stuff.  Duke will see to it that certain players get untracked and Krzyzewski's challenge will be to see his team improve before they enter ACC play in that 13 of their next 14 games will be against conference foes.

Kyrie Irving was never a secret but ...

If the ACC media was to vote today for Rookie of the Year, do you think UNC's Harrison Barnes would still outdistance Irving by a 46-9 vote?  I saw the Irving train coming after following the New Jersey native on the AAU trail seeing him play a good 20 or so times.  The youngster is capable of taking over games and he showed that in a game against Michigan State and bounced back with another 20 plus scoring effort versus Butler on Saturday.  What you have yet to see is when he starts dishing dimes [assists]  like they were going out of style and a few double-doubles are ahead.  Irving is as advertised and I can happily say that comes as no surprise to me.  And this just in -- Kyrie just won his third ACC Rookie of the Week honor of the young season.

 
 
 

Cook and Rivers are waiting their turn. BDN Photo

The Duke staff will remain busy during the Holiday's

There are some on the staff who stay up until just before dawn breaks watching film on the opposition.  I know this after being in close proximity of the situation for most of my life.  I also know that they'll be out in force during several December high school basketball tournaments one of which is the State Farm City of Palms event in Fort Meyers, Florida.  Check out this cast of characters which as BDN Premium members know that a lot of Duke's key targets are on hand.   The Class of 2010 No. 1 includes, Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick; No. 2 Austin Rivers, Winter Park; No. 3 Adonis Thomas, Melrose; No. 8 James McAdoo, Norfolk Christian; No. 23 Shannon Scott, Milton; No. 27 Julian Royal, Milton; No. 58 Dai-Jon Parker, Milton; No. 75 Marshall Plumlee, Christ School; No. 87 . While the Class of 2012 adds No. 4 Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman; No. 5 Ricardo Gathers, Riverside Academy; No. 38 Xavier Johnson, Mater Dei; No. 45 Omar Calhoun, Christ the King; No. 47 Evan Nolte, Milton; No. 71 Rosco Allen, Bishop Gorman.  You can discuss the various tournaments and find out more on recruiting information with BDN Premium members by joining and supporting Blue Devil Nation.

Football coaches on the recruiting trail as well

Duke Football is making its list and checking it twice in December but the recruiting efforts started in November where the staff was out the Monday following the last game.  Duke Coach David Cutliffe will have his  own players for the first time next season and he is looking to make some  key offers in the foreseeable future.  BDN will keep you up to date on the latest on the football front..

The Duke Women face Texas A & M on Wednesday

The Duke Women are flying a bit under the radar now and that's a shame for they deserve more coverage on the Duke front.  Duke faces an early season test when they take on Texas A & M tonight in Cameron Indoor Stadium this Monday evening.

And speaking of under the radar

Duke handed out yet another commemorative to fans with Coach K's 800th win being saluted during the Michigan State game.  His milestones are so many that it barely gives Duke fans a chance to catch their breath and reflect  on his success as he continues to move towards being the winningest collegiate coach of all time.

Click here and follow Blue Devil Nation on Twitter for the best Duke coverage avialable.  And be sure to check out Andrew Slaters interview with Kyrie Irving.

Duke Basketball

ACC Operation Basketball – Coach K Audio Part 1 of 5

BDN was at ACC Operation Basketball and we got almost all of Coach Krzyzewski's comments for the nation. Photo copyright Lanc Images.com/BDN

CHARLOTTE - I had a chance to sit with Duke Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski for almost two hours during today's ACC Operation Basketball and he had quite a bit to say.  Here is part 1 of 5 for you enjoyment. BDN is on the scene.

Just press play -

Duke Basketball

BDN chats up Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton after Countdown to Craziness

Josh Hairston battles for position during CTC 2

DURHAM - Josh Hairston dropped 18 points in game two going 9 of 14 during last evenings Blue-White contest held during Countdown to Craziness.  After going 0-4 in the first contest, Hairston's teammate Kyrie Irving got him involved early on when the teams redistributed their lineups at the half.  BDN spoke to Hairston after the contest and his fellow freshman Tyler Thornton who tallied 10 points and 6 assists.

Just press play -

Coach K spoke of Tyler Thorntons defensive abilities in during the post game press conference. Phot copyright BDN/Rick Crank
Duke Basketball

Monday Musings – Rivers, Irving, Collins, JJ, Countdown and more

It's time to think about cutting doqwn some more nets with basketball season fast approaching. Photo - Mark Watson BDN

The after effect of Austin Rivers recent commitment will be felt for some time to come.  Face it, Duke Basketball Recruiting has been stellar of late with talented kids like Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers committing back to back.  As soon as this seasons basketball analyst get a chance, they'll have to and in some cases be forced to give these guys big props which will lead to some pretty serious exposure for the program.  Then again, Duke already has all of their basketball games televised every single season.

Coach Krzyzewski has been on a roll of late winning Gold for Team USA, the 2010 national championship and the recruiting trail.  Sometimes one needs to stand back and appreciate his tremendous achievements.  The man loves a challenge and the pressure of being at the top is just fine by him.  Duke will be ranked number one in the country going into the season in the polls, but as always it'll be fun in the early season to see how Krzyzewski molds the 2010-11 team.

Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins has been on a bit of a roll too for the aforementioned Irving and Rivers are players he was the lead assistant on.  Each prospect is assigned a particular lead assistant while being recruited and it's obvious that Collins did a heck of a job helping close on two sensational guards.  We can only hope to see them in the same backcourt one day.

The anticipation for Countdown for Craziness is building like a slow fever as fans anticipate Friday, October 15th, the start of the college basketball season.  Last seasons event was special in that it was not only the first, but the beginning phase of a magical title run, or the first stop on memory lane if you will.  This years CTC will be just as good if not better, for Duke has a new banner to officially show off.  If that weren't enough the recently signed Austin Rivers will lead a bevy of prospects and future teammates into the old girl.  Do you think that'll bring a strong reaction from the Crazies?  Let's not forget the 2010-11 team itself coming out to a died in the wool royal blue festive bunch of fanatical fans.  Who knows what antics Nolan Smith will be up to this year?  Topping last years Dawkins short-shorts spoof and his Titanic bit will be tough but I think he's up to the challenge.  Simply put, the event is a must for any Duke fan.  Have you got your tickets yet?

And in a little NBA talk, new Chicago Bulls star Carlos Boozer will miss eight weeks due to a broken hand this season.  The Bulls are depending on the Booz to put them over the hump this season  Former Dukie JJRedick signed a 19 million dollar contract in the off season, got married and has a rap album coming  out.  Glad he hasn't been doingmuch

After last seasons championship, Nike coined a slogan "Order is Restored."  Well, they are certainly on to something and one simply has to look at projected All American teams to realize it.  Kyle Singler's return has him picked as a consensus first team choice and some taut him as the likely winner of the player of the year award.  Nolan Smith is on most second teams and newcomer Kyrie Irving is projected on some second teams and no lower than third.  When's the last time Duke had three legitimate first team All American possibilities?  I'll end this weeks Monday Musings letting you ponder that question.

Duke Basketball, Duke Football

BDN’s Monday Musings – Hoops starting, recruiting, KI and more

A Monday Musings tradition is our Cheerleader of the Week selection and it has been a hit amongst fans of BDN. Image by my pal Lance King

Good Morning Blue Devil Nation!  It's a rainy day here in the Triangle but that will not stop another edition of Monday Musings.

Basketball is here

When Duke has struggled in football there has been an on going blurb that hoops starts quicker in Durham than anywhere in the country.  Well, when you are the reigning national champion and have a long tradition of kicking butt on the hardwood, return Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler and add Kyrie Irving to the mix, the football team could be 4-0 and the excitement would still be there. 

Countdown to Craziness

You can get tickets to this cherished event by hitting up the Duke Box Office on October 6th and I expect tickets will go quickly.  The event itself is on October 15th and if it is anything like last years and we here it is, it'll knock your royal blue socks off.  I've been around the program for a very long time but I can honestly say that this is as relaxed you'll ever see the coaches and players.  It's a night to celebrate all things Duke but this year, you'll see the new national championship banner making it even better than last seasons event.  Extreme intimacy permeates Cameron Indoor Stadium and you'll be flush with royal blue leaving the event stoked for what should be another great season.

Recruiting continues

Duke will be in home with point guard Quinn Cook tonight and they've made their rounds of late.  We've listed attendees for CTC and talk of recruiting non stop on BDN Premium, so why not join our dedicated members and chat about the latest happenings.

Excitement surrounds the Women's team as well

We'll preview the Duke Women shortly and their is a ton of excitement surrounding the best recruiting class since Alana Beard and company.  This years team will be a mix of young and old and that should make for some exciting moments.  BDN supports the women and will even cover their recruiting in the future, a first among sites.

Football needs some breaks

Duke Football simply needs a few things to go their way on the field against Maryland this weekend where they open as 7.5 underdogs.  The Terps match up very well with this years team, so to win, Duke will have to cut down on those five turnovers against Army.  The Duke defense is rebuilding and the offense needs to take care of the ball and if the team can just get a couple of breaks their way, they can ride those and good things will start to happen.

Kyrie Irving

Well there has been little hype surrounding the New Jersey native these days.  Yeah, right.  It's the fact that Irving is a smoking point guard that has fans excited for he is the best they've had at the position since another Jersey native.  Still though, I think one should temper their expectations for there is a learning curve no matter how talented you are and Krzyzewski alluded to that in a recent press conference.

Pre Season Magazines

Duke is everybody's number one with the exception of TSN who tabs Michigan State, a  team that visits Cameron in December.  Don't be so harsh on Mike DeCourcey thought for he is just trying to be different and this has been their practice in the past when their is a consensus favorite.  There was a time when preview magazines were a big deal and fans would wait their arrival but times have changed thanks to the Internet.  I like a traditional hard copy on occasion but they increasingly come out so late that there is no news we do not know about in them.  Blue Ribbon is a great preview but I am not going to plunk down the bucks to read it when the season starts a week after it hits the stands.  The same goes for those glossy overpriced yearbooks where there is little information fanatical fans do not already know.  I see them more as collectibles these days and if I want to read a preview, I want to do it before Countdown for Craziness and not after.  I highly recommend the championship commemorative put out by Duke Planet though.  It's well worth the money and serves as a reminder to a magical season.  The rest is on line and articles of Duke Basketball are a dime a thousand these day, up a lot since they were a dime a dozen.