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Conference Rank: 2
Duke Blue Devils
Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
2007-08 Recap: 28-6 (13-3 ACC)
2008-09 Roster
Key Losses: G 6’4” DeMarcus Nelson, F 6’6” Taylor King
Key Additions: G 6’4” Elliot Williams, F 6’1” Miles Plumlee, F 6’8” Olek Czyz
Starting Lineup
G Nolan Smith 6’2” So. 5.9 ppg, 1.3 apg
G Jon Scheyer 6’5” Jr. 11.7 ppg, 2.4 apg
G Gerald Henderson 6’4” So. 12.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg
F Kyle Singler 6’8” So. 13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg
F Lance Thomas 6’8” Jr. 4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg
At 6’4”, he is the Duke player who takes the jump ball at tip-off. Gerald Henderson is a phenomenal athlete, and his basketball game is finally catching up. At times he has flashes of the best player in the ACC, and then at other moments he is completely invisible. Henderson must find a personal compromise and also find ways, in the offense, to get his shots.
Sophomore guard Nolan Smith was declared the starter by Coach K just a couple weeks ago. Smith is a budding offensive threat and a much better defender than people give him credit.
After living in the sixth man role for two years, Jon Scheyer gets the chance in the starting lineup. When he first came to Durham he was known as a distance shooter, but his game has evolved and he is really a threat from anywhere on the floor.
Kyle Singler added 20 pounds of muscle to his wiry frame, which should help in the post. Teams must keep track of him everywhere he goes on the court. He is a solid post scorer, good outside shooter, and is the main weapon in the screen and pop. His defense will be an issue as he will be matched up with bigger post players, depending on who is in the lineup for Duke.
Duke Blue Devils
Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
2007-08 Recap: 28-6 (13-3 ACC)
2008-09 Roster
Key Losses: G 6’4” DeMarcus Nelson, F 6’6” Taylor King
Key Additions: G 6’4” Elliot Williams, F 6’1” Miles Plumlee, F 6’8” Olek Czyz
Starting Lineup
G Nolan Smith 6’2” So. 5.9 ppg, 1.3 apg
G Jon Scheyer 6’5” Jr. 11.7 ppg, 2.4 apg
G Gerald Henderson 6’4” So. 12.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg
F Kyle Singler 6’8” So. 13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg
F Lance Thomas 6’8” Jr. 4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg
At 6’4”, he is the Duke player who takes the jump ball at tip-off. Gerald Henderson is a phenomenal athlete, and his basketball game is finally catching up. At times he has flashes of the best player in the ACC, and then at other moments he is completely invisible. Henderson must find a personal compromise and also find ways, in the offense, to get his shots.
Sophomore guard Nolan Smith was declared the starter by Coach K just a couple weeks ago. Smith is a budding offensive threat and a much better defender than people give him credit.
After living in the sixth man role for two years, Jon Scheyer gets the chance in the starting lineup. When he first came to Durham he was known as a distance shooter, but his game has evolved and he is really a threat from anywhere on the floor.
Kyle Singler added 20 pounds of muscle to his wiry frame, which should help in the post. Teams must keep track of him everywhere he goes on the court. He is a solid post scorer, good outside shooter, and is the main weapon in the screen and pop. His defense will be an issue as he will be matched up with bigger post players, depending on who is in the lineup for Duke.
The second forward or center spot is a toss-up right now. Lance Thomas started last season, but he very well could be plucked from the lineup for 6’10” Miles Plumlee or 7’1” Brian Zoubek. No matter the decision, the three of them will be need for added muscle along with David McClure. Olek Czyz can get off the floor and thinks every shot should be a dunk.
Greg Paulus is going to play his senior year off the bench after starting since his freshman year. Don’t let this fool you—he will split minutes with Smith, and whoever is having the better game will be in at the end. He is deadly from distance and is the most experienced player on the roster.
McDonald’s All-American Elliot Williams is explosive. He has the handle of a point guard and is not afraid to get to the basket. Finding him minutes is a must, but where? This season he will back up Scheyer and Henderson—and then next season start in place of Henderson.
FORECAST
Greg Paulus is going to play his senior year off the bench after starting since his freshman year. Don’t let this fool you—he will split minutes with Smith, and whoever is having the better game will be in at the end. He is deadly from distance and is the most experienced player on the roster.
McDonald’s All-American Elliot Williams is explosive. He has the handle of a point guard and is not afraid to get to the basket. Finding him minutes is a must, but where? This season he will back up Scheyer and Henderson—and then next season start in place of Henderson.
FORECAST
Since Josh McRoberts left a few seasons ago, Duke has been thin on the front line. But this season, Coach K actually has options. While all the offense will flow through Singler, there are many bodies to help with defense and rebounding.
Even though Duke lives by the three, the new distance will not hurt them. Most of their guys stood five feet behind the old line.
Coach K will have this team play its signature pressure defense but will look to find different ways to get all the players to their full potential on offense.
Even though Duke lives by the three, the new distance will not hurt them. Most of their guys stood five feet behind the old line.
Coach K will have this team play its signature pressure defense but will look to find different ways to get all the players to their full potential on offense.
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