College Hoops Countdown | #8 Duke

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

’08 – ’09 Results: 30 -7 (11 – 5 ACC) Lost to Villanova in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, 77 – 54.

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski 760 – 215 (29 seasons at Duke) 833 – 274 (34 seasons)

Key Returners:

Brian Zoubek – 4.1ppg, 3.7rpg

Kyle Singler – 16.5ppg, 7.7rpg

Lance Thomas – 5.3ppg, 3.6rpg

Jon Scheyer – 14.9ppg, 3.6rpg

Nolan Smith – 8.4ppg, 2.2rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 12/2 vs. Wisconsin, 12/19 vs. Gonzaga, 12/19 vs. Long Beach State, 1/6 vs. Iowa State, 1/30 at Georgetown.

Stat of Identity: 4.1 Turnover margin – eighth in the country.

By Paul Gotham

If such a thing can exist, the 2009-10 season has the makings of being a lame duck for the Duke Blue Devils.  After a trip to the Sweet Sixteen a year ago, the denizens of Cameron Indoor Stadium set their sights on this season. Then Gerald Henderson left for the NBA. Not too long after, Elliot Williams transferred for personal reasons.  At one time, the Blue Devils had a return to the Final Four within their grasp. Now, more of the talk about the Blue Devils seems centered around next year’s recruiting class.

In the mean time, there is a season to be played, and no one should count out a Mike Krzyzewski team.

Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler will lead a Blue Devil team that starts three seniors and two juniors. That veteran-laden lineup may lead fans to believe that Duke will take on the look of the past few years. That may be true if fans focus on the end of last year.

Late last season, Krzyzewski and his staff shuffled the lineup and put Scheyer. The change resulted in a more methodical offense for the Devils. Gone was the up-tempo approach Duke used for the previous seasons. The change also helped the Blue Devils advance in the NCAA Tournament further than when running an up tempo game.

Scheyer and Nolan Smith will share the point guard responsibilities. When Scheyer has the ball, Duke will run screens to passing lanes. With the ball in Smith’s hands, the Blue Devils will look for penetration and anydefensive break downs from opponents. Smith will need to make better decisions than in the past, and the junior will need to stay out of foul trouble.

Brian Zoubek is the enigma for the Blue Devils. At 7’1″, Zoubek is nothing if he isn’t imposing. The senior has yet to establish himself as a force inside that opponents must stop.

Singler provides an inside/out threat, but will be needed around the basket to pick up rebounds.

Lance Thomas has plenty of experience, but the senior has never quite reached his potential. Krzyzewski does not need Thomas to lead the Blue Devils in scoring, but the forward needs to finish in the paint.

Brothers, Miles and Mason Plumlee give Duke plenty of size coming off the bench.  Freshmen, Ryan Kelly and Andre Dawkins will get their chance to prove themselves early in the season.

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