Duke's 2010 Team Making 2004-Like Run

The last time the Duke Blue Devils warmed up for an Elite Eight game they were led by a senior guard named Chris Duhon, a land lord down low by the name of Sheldon Williams, and one of the best pure shooters ever in J.J. Redick.

That was a very strong team.  Overall they went 31-6, had a stretch where they won 21 out of 22 games.  They were arguably the best team in the nation.  They had size, strength, passion, leadership, and youth. 

Although that team and this year's team are very different, they are similar in several ways.

Leadership:

Chris Duhon was a senior point guard in 2004.  Throughout most of his college career he had been in the shadow of a guy named Jay Williams.  During this season he was even outscored on a regular basis by teammate Daniel Ewing. This never fazed him one bit and he helped this team make a strong push.

Similarly Jon Scheyer has often been shadowed by his other teammates.  Until his senior year, he was never considered to be one of the ACC's best.  Only his coaches and other players knew what he was capable of.  Scheyer has played his tail off and is one of the most important players on this team.  His leadership is one of the reasons this team is in the Elite Eight and making their case for a national title.

Strength, Size, and Power:

In 2004 Duke had a two headed monster.  They not only could light up the nets from outside, they could also pull down their share of rebounds.  This was huge as they defeated teams in each fashion.  They defeated a team such as Texas behind Redick's huge day behind the ark, but also had days with huge numbers off of the boards such as Sheldon Williams' 18 rebound day against Georgia Tech.

In years past, Duke was known as a team that lived and died by the three.  This year that is not the case.  They can will in several different ways.  When their threes are not going through the net, they can get the rebounds.  They can play down low and play solid D.  They can win when they are not on fire from long distance.  This alone could be the primary reason this team is still alive, and one of the reasons this team could play for a national title.  As the Plumlees continue to follow Big z's lead and step up, this team is starting to become one of the most well rounded teams in the nation.

Old Faithful:

If you were watching the ACC Championship with an open mind you may have observed one huge moment.  Halfway through the second half Duke was having problems getting the ball past half court.  Close to getting a ten second call against them, Coach K called a timeout.  The well timed, and turnover saving move from the bench allowed Duke to get a crucial field goal quickly out of the break.  From that point on Duke never looked back and won the ACC title.

That may not sound like much, but Coach K still has it.   If you look around the remaining team benches you will see names such as Calipari and Izzo, and some new faced.  Out of them all Coach K is the premier coach remaining. 

Many feel that he is the reason that Duke has had such a drought in the NCAA Tourney but he is the reason this team has a real shot at the title.

His game planning, techniques, and leadership qualities of a field general is unquestionably a cut above everyone else left in the show.  Coach Cal at Kentucky has been quoted "I will take talent of experience any day".  So will I, so don't be surprised if an nonathletic, talented bunch of boys from Durham can make a surprising run to Indy and cut down some nets.