The Duke Blue Devils have, in their three recruits Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, and Taylor King, the 8th-ranked recruiting class in the nation and the number one incoming class in the ACC.
The ACC is ranked 5th in the nation for incoming talent. The national top 30 recruiting classes can be found here.
Of note, with the addition of Jai Lucas to their roster, Florida is not only the two-time defending national champion, they are also ranked number one for incoming players. That, together with the bizarre turn of events that has Billy Donovan staying, and Florida remains an interesting team for the coming season.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Duke Football
Duke University is a national contender in nearly every sport it plays. The single exception appears to be football. While I knew this was the case, I was not entirely sure just how unsuccessful the program has been in the last few years, so I did some quick research this morning instead of doing what I'm being paid to do.
Since hiring Ted Roof in December of 2003, the Blue Devils have gone 3-31. What's even more depressing for Duke is that the wins have come in decreasing numbers as the years have progressed. In Roof's first year, they won two games, followed by a single win a in 2005, and last year's record was a tough 0-12. Granted, since the conference expanded, the strength of the football competition has gotten much better, but Duke should at least be keeping pace and winning one or two games. Fortunately for Roof, there is a floor to the number of games you can win, and he's standing on it. Things can't get much worse.
That being said, Duke did announce the signing of current-junior Montel Harris, a 5'9", 198 lb running back from Florida. Montel is a martial arts expert and averaged over 10 yards per carry in high school.
Unfortunately, even with this addition, Duke is looking at what appears to be one of their toughest schedules in years. If the strength of other ACC teams holds constant, Duke's conference schedule is as tough as ever and their non-conference schedule's one weak opponent is Connecticut in the first week. After that, Duke has to play Navy and, gulp, Notre Dame.
To add insult to injury, not only does Tar Heel football own Blue Devil football, UNC will also have Greg Paulus' brother, Mike Paulus at quarterback. Though there was early speculation that Mike might look elsewhere after the UNC coaching staff changes, it looks like he'll be throwing for the Tar Heels in August.
Ouch.
Good luck Duke Blue Devil Football. We'll be keeping an eye on you.
Go Duke.
Since hiring Ted Roof in December of 2003, the Blue Devils have gone 3-31. What's even more depressing for Duke is that the wins have come in decreasing numbers as the years have progressed. In Roof's first year, they won two games, followed by a single win a in 2005, and last year's record was a tough 0-12. Granted, since the conference expanded, the strength of the football competition has gotten much better, but Duke should at least be keeping pace and winning one or two games. Fortunately for Roof, there is a floor to the number of games you can win, and he's standing on it. Things can't get much worse.
That being said, Duke did announce the signing of current-junior Montel Harris, a 5'9", 198 lb running back from Florida. Montel is a martial arts expert and averaged over 10 yards per carry in high school.
Unfortunately, even with this addition, Duke is looking at what appears to be one of their toughest schedules in years. If the strength of other ACC teams holds constant, Duke's conference schedule is as tough as ever and their non-conference schedule's one weak opponent is Connecticut in the first week. After that, Duke has to play Navy and, gulp, Notre Dame.
To add insult to injury, not only does Tar Heel football own Blue Devil football, UNC will also have Greg Paulus' brother, Mike Paulus at quarterback. Though there was early speculation that Mike might look elsewhere after the UNC coaching staff changes, it looks like he'll be throwing for the Tar Heels in August.
Ouch.
Good luck Duke Blue Devil Football. We'll be keeping an eye on you.
Go Duke.
Kentucky it is...
Patrick Patterson officially signed with Kentucky a week ago. For a moment, I was disappointed, and then I realized: Duke's going to be tough next year. I don't know why I've had such a tempered view of how good they could be. Kyle Singer, Taylor King, and Nolan Smith to augment the phenomenal Gerald Henderson,David McClure, Lance Thomas, Demarcus Nelson and Greg Paulus. Oh, and despite his freshman year performance, the Blue Devil coaching staff is very up on Brian Zoubek's potential. Chris Collins referenced Aaron Gray as a big man who was terribly awkward as a freshman but developed into a supreme low-post player in his junior and senior seasons.
And I've got to say I'm a HUGE David McClure fan. Old school Duke, that kid is. As well as Marty Pocius. Marty just needs to spend the summer with Coach Wojo and learn to play some D. With his spark off the bench AND not being a defensive liability, Duke becomes seriously deep from top to bottom.
Go Duke
And I've got to say I'm a HUGE David McClure fan. Old school Duke, that kid is. As well as Marty Pocius. Marty just needs to spend the summer with Coach Wojo and learn to play some D. With his spark off the bench AND not being a defensive liability, Duke becomes seriously deep from top to bottom.
Go Duke
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
D-Day
Well, we're here. Patrick Patterson announces today what school he has decided to sign with. He has waited until virtually the last possible moment to decide, and we'll all find out later this afternoon.
Jai Lucas, the other top unsigned recruit, signed with Florida a couple of days ago and much has been made of how Lucas wants to play with Patterson, if not the other way around. While Duke made the cut to the final three schools, Kentucky being the third, essentially no one is giving the Blue Devils a chance at landing Patterson.
Here at Dukemadness we like to be hopeful, yet realistic. To be honest, we've grown tired of the recruiting saga, and while we're holding out hope for Patterson to give the Blue Devils a much-needed inside presence next year, we're mainly happy to not have to chase down false leads as to his decision as we have been doing for the last 3 months.
Without Patterson, the feisty but short Lance Thomas and the tall but gangly and travel-prone (and let's face it, white; perhaps the whitest since Shawn Bradley) Brian Zoubek are the best the Devils have for pulling down boards and posting up. Unless, of course, Coach K decides to change Taylor King's game to a more traditional four. And that probably won't happen, nor, probably, should it.
So, Patrick, if you're not going to pick Duke (and please, please do) then will you at least go to Kentucky? Florida has had their run. It's been a good one. And if you head down there, intent on an education and therefore likely staying for more than a single season, Florida just may be in the hunt for another national title in a couple of years, and that's just boring.
Go Duke.
Jai Lucas, the other top unsigned recruit, signed with Florida a couple of days ago and much has been made of how Lucas wants to play with Patterson, if not the other way around. While Duke made the cut to the final three schools, Kentucky being the third, essentially no one is giving the Blue Devils a chance at landing Patterson.
Here at Dukemadness we like to be hopeful, yet realistic. To be honest, we've grown tired of the recruiting saga, and while we're holding out hope for Patterson to give the Blue Devils a much-needed inside presence next year, we're mainly happy to not have to chase down false leads as to his decision as we have been doing for the last 3 months.
Without Patterson, the feisty but short Lance Thomas and the tall but gangly and travel-prone (and let's face it, white; perhaps the whitest since Shawn Bradley) Brian Zoubek are the best the Devils have for pulling down boards and posting up. Unless, of course, Coach K decides to change Taylor King's game to a more traditional four. And that probably won't happen, nor, probably, should it.
So, Patrick, if you're not going to pick Duke (and please, please do) then will you at least go to Kentucky? Florida has had their run. It's been a good one. And if you head down there, intent on an education and therefore likely staying for more than a single season, Florida just may be in the hunt for another national title in a couple of years, and that's just boring.
Go Duke.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Great Danes to visit Duke
It's been a nice vacation from Dukemadness these past weeks. It's not that the love has ceased to flow, it's that the Patterson has ceased to make a decision. It's been hilarious watching daily news reports come out for three weeks, all trying to disquise the same statement: "Dude still hasn't made up his mind, and we have no idea what he's thinking." Well, as of today, Dude still hasn't made up his mind, and nobody, probably not even Patrick himself, knows what he's thinking.
Duke is still in the mix, and Coach K visited Patrick's house a couple of days ago, but with Gillespie (who I love) in Kentucky and Billy Donovan staying in Florida, hopes for the Blue Devil Faithful is not at it's all-time high point for landing the power forward.
****PREDICTION UPDATE****
With Josh McRoberts expected to sign with agent Arn Tellum in the near future, my earlier prediction that slipping to the late-second or third round of the draft (which I still believe will happen) could result in his returning to the Blue Devils for another season, is now defunct.
Finally, it was announcedthat the Albany Great Danes will most likely be making an early preseason trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium to play the Blue Devils, as a reward for their second strong NCAA Tournament showing in as many years. I mention this because I have a special place in my heart for the America East ever since I took the University of Stony Brook to three tournaments and two Sweet 16's in a row in College Hoops 2K6. Big ups Albany. Perhaps one day, it will be the Seawolves.
Go Duke
Duke is still in the mix, and Coach K visited Patrick's house a couple of days ago, but with Gillespie (who I love) in Kentucky and Billy Donovan staying in Florida, hopes for the Blue Devil Faithful is not at it's all-time high point for landing the power forward.
****PREDICTION UPDATE****
With Josh McRoberts expected to sign with agent Arn Tellum in the near future, my earlier prediction that slipping to the late-second or third round of the draft (which I still believe will happen) could result in his returning to the Blue Devils for another season, is now defunct.
Finally, it was announcedthat the Albany Great Danes will most likely be making an early preseason trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium to play the Blue Devils, as a reward for their second strong NCAA Tournament showing in as many years. I mention this because I have a special place in my heart for the America East ever since I took the University of Stony Brook to three tournaments and two Sweet 16's in a row in College Hoops 2K6. Big ups Albany. Perhaps one day, it will be the Seawolves.
Go Duke
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Recruiting Wars
The major ticket holders in the Patrick Patterson lottery are still Duke, Kentucky, Florida, West Virginia, Virginia, and Wake Forest. Though there has been much speculation that Patrick would narrow his choices down to three by now, there has been no further official update.
Interesting occurrences of late: Florida won the title, and will likely lose much, if not all, of their starting five. Does Florida rebuild or reload? Patterson is a big key to the answer. Kentucky has lost their coach and Patterson has definitively stated that Minnesota, to whom Tubby Smith went, is not recruiting him. However, Patterson apparently has a place in his heart for Kentucky, and if Billy Donovan leaves his Gators for the Wildcats, Patterson could figure in huge to Donovan's attempt to get Kentucky to the Final Four.
As far as Duke is concerned, with McRoberts gone, they need Patterson even more. Even though Patterson stands only 6'8" in his socks, he has a wingspan of 7'1" and can jump out of the building. He has his share of weaknesses but he is definitely strong where Duke needs strength: defense, rebounding, and athleticism.
Here's hoping.
Go Duke.
Interesting occurrences of late: Florida won the title, and will likely lose much, if not all, of their starting five. Does Florida rebuild or reload? Patterson is a big key to the answer. Kentucky has lost their coach and Patterson has definitively stated that Minnesota, to whom Tubby Smith went, is not recruiting him. However, Patterson apparently has a place in his heart for Kentucky, and if Billy Donovan leaves his Gators for the Wildcats, Patterson could figure in huge to Donovan's attempt to get Kentucky to the Final Four.
As far as Duke is concerned, with McRoberts gone, they need Patterson even more. Even though Patterson stands only 6'8" in his socks, he has a wingspan of 7'1" and can jump out of the building. He has his share of weaknesses but he is definitely strong where Duke needs strength: defense, rebounding, and athleticism.
Here's hoping.
Go Duke.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Patrick Patterson still considering Duke.
Many believed PF recruit Patrick Patterson was going to narrow his list of prospective schools from six down to three shortly after the McDonald's All-American Game. However, he's taking a bit more time to talk with his family and consider his options before he makes his decision. In an interview on Thursday, Patterson indicated that Kentucky was still an option because of their history and their academics, and that he will not necessarily eliminate them just because Tubby Smith went to Minnesota.
And, thankfully, Duke continues to be in the mix.
Go Duke.
And, thankfully, Duke continues to be in the mix.
Go Duke.
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