I figured everyone was anxiously anticipating a write up about their favorite college basketball team, the Duke Blue Devils, so I will deliver. Yes, the season has already started, but unlike college football, the first few months of college basketball really don't matter.
Duke is currently 4-0 and ranked 7th in the AP poll. They have dominated their first few opponents, winning by an average score of 94-59. You can say they haven't really played anyone so far, but they have beaten Coastal Carolina (alma mater of Tyler Thigpen, so they must be good at all sports), Charlotte (typically a very solid team and has made the tourney several times recently), and Radford (predicted to win the Big South conference, pretty much the SEC of college basketball).
Ok, maybe I'm stretching here a bit, but the Dookies have looked good so far, and unlike any Duke team I've seen in years, they have a ton of size. They have seven players that go 6'8 or taller, which is unheard of for this team. Duke has been killed by their lack of size in recent seasons, but that shouldn't be an issue this year.
Another aspect of this year's team which has been lacking in previous season is depth. Right now, Duke goes 10 players deep. I say right now, because Coach K has been known to play a lot of players early in the season, then ends up sticking with they same seven guys late in the year. Coach K, if you're reading this, and I know you most likely are, PLEASE stick with the 10 man rotation this year. You will be a better team for it, I promise.
The Christian Laettner/Grant Hill/Shane Battier/Jay Williams/J.J Redick of this year's team is Kyle Singler, a 6'8 Junior. The preseason ACC Player of the Year is undoubtedly "The Man" on this year's team. So far, he's averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 boards, and 3 assists per game. Because of the team's new found size, he'll no longer be forced to play power forward, and looks much more comfortable in his natural small forward position. The team will go as he goes.
The X-Factor (I hate using X-factor, but oh well) of this year's team will be Junior guard Nolan Smith. Smith missed the first couple games, but has looked great in the last two games, averaging 22 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. He's not a pure point guard, but he's easily the best playmaker the team has this year. Duke doesn't have the backcourt depth that they've had in previous year, so Smith's play will be key.
The other key player on this year's team is Senior guard Jon Scheyer. Although Scheyer is bulit like a 2 guard, the team played much better with him running the point last season. He'll assume that role this season, and his outside shooting and passing abilities will be vital to the team's success.
Two freshmen will also play big roles for Duke this season. Ryan Kelly has a game similar to Singler, but he's taller and probably even a better outside shooter. Andre Dawkins is a guard who is not afraid to put up a 3 at anytime, and he has been a pleasant surprise early in the season.
All in all, this Duke team has some very exciting potential. They're definitely a different Duke team than we've seen in recent years, and that should be for the better. With North Carolina looking a bit lost without my favorite guy, Psycho T, you have to say Duke is the favorite to win the ACC right now. Now all they have to do is get past the Sweet 16.
No comments:
Post a Comment