Much was made last year about how Duke's exit from the top 25 poll was the first time in an eon for the Blue Devils. It happened near the end of the season, but Duke still garnered a decent seed in the tournament, only to be ousted in the first round. They return nearly all of their players except Josh McRoberts and brought in a top-10 recruiting class. However, they're still decidedly weak in the low post.
What does this all add up to for the preseason poll? My guess would have been somewhere around 20. I'm no expert, just a fan, but Duke's going to be good this year. The addition of Kyle Singler, Taylor King, and Nolan Smith further strengthen their perennially strong perimeter game as well as adding a much-needed on-ball defender in Smith. But does that make them one of the top teams in the land?
Apparently it does, because they're ranked 11th.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see that the program has the respect it deserves, but as a fan, I like to see them underrated at this point in the season. 11 puts them on everyone's radar - as if they weren't all ready - and if there are some struggles early, you can bet we'll hear about how Duke doesn't belong in the top 25 at all.
What I think is fun for Duke fans is that North Carolina is the top team in the country. Well-deserved for certain, but I think being the underdog in their potential three or four matchups during the coming year (granted a Tournament matchup would likely require both teams reaching the Final Four - which is almost too good to hope for) gives the Blue Devils the advantage; nothing to lose and all that jazz.
The ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Poll breaks down like this:
1. North Carolina (10) 0-0 739
2. UCLA (12) 0-0 734
3. Memphis (8) 0-0 731
4. Kansas (1) 0-0 669
5. Georgetown 0-0 625
6. Louisville 0-0 620
7. Tennessee 0-0 598
8. Michigan State 0-0 503
9. Indiana 0-0 479
10. Washington State 0-0 464
11. Duke 0-0 390
12. Marquette 0-0 381
13. Oregon 0-0 360
14. Gonzaga 0-0 252
14. Texas A&M 0-0 252
16. Texas 0-0 216
17. Arizona 0-0 205
18. USC 0-0 189
19. Arkansas 0-0 173
20. Pittsburgh 0-0 160
21. Stanford 0-0 158
22. Kentucky 0-0 155
23. Southern Illinois 0-0 137
24. North Carolina State 0-0 119
25. Villanova 0-0 111
The ACC is decidely short on teams, with only three. But how awesome is it that NC State gets in there? Sydney Lowe has done a great job putting that program back on the map.
Predictions?
Memphis plays just about no one of consequence during their regular season, so they may go nearly undefeated. Starting out third coupled with no losses will keep them in the top five all year, whether they deserve it or not.
UCLA will have a hell of a time with some of the other five teams from the Pac 10 in the top 25. Their strength of schedule puts them in great position to take over the number one slot when UNC drops one or two games during their ACC schedule this year.
Georgetown is scary. I'm saying Final Four for the Hoyas. Possibly a championship.
The ACC will finish with five teams in the top 25.
Duke will get their first major test on November 27th against an Alondo Tucker-less Wisconsin team. Then it's Pitt in New York on December 20th. More on their schedule soon.
Go Duke.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Duke was in the running for Greg Monroe, 2008's top-ranked recruit, and a big-man to boot, but has lost him to Georgtown. This is disconcerting, as Georgtown was already pretty solid down low, and pulled three other decent big men from the class of 2008, so they're pretty much set for the next couple of seasons.
Duke, however, has sophomores Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas as their only two big men. Brian, enormous and white, may not be ready to be the go-to guy down low. Lance Thomas, a banger, is sized more as a 3 or a 4, and won't stand up all season to say nothing of the tournament in that role (or rather, he shouldn't, but the kid's got heart, so who knows).
Of the three recruits for this coming season, none fit the traditional five slot. However, there is some indication that hopes of Kyle Singler potentially spending some time at center might be realized. Lance Thomas himself, perhaps a bit optimistically for his own sake, praised Singler's inside ability.
Also noted in this article is Coach K referring to Nolan Smith as the best on-ball defender on the team; as a freshman. This fact, coupled with his solid passing, and lights-out shooting skills, and we may see Greg Paulus leading in different ways than as a full-time point guard this year; particularly in the late minutes of tight games, when Paulus' suspect defense becomes more of a problem.
All in all, Duke is setting up for yet another very strong perimeter team with an unkown (at best) interior game. Should Zoubek surprise us this year, Duke may have a shot at going deep into the tournament. However, without the strong interior, Duke is going to struggle against any team that plays great man to man, on-ball defense, and contests three-pointers throughout the game.
Come on Brian!
Go Duke.
Duke, however, has sophomores Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas as their only two big men. Brian, enormous and white, may not be ready to be the go-to guy down low. Lance Thomas, a banger, is sized more as a 3 or a 4, and won't stand up all season to say nothing of the tournament in that role (or rather, he shouldn't, but the kid's got heart, so who knows).
Of the three recruits for this coming season, none fit the traditional five slot. However, there is some indication that hopes of Kyle Singler potentially spending some time at center might be realized. Lance Thomas himself, perhaps a bit optimistically for his own sake, praised Singler's inside ability.
Also noted in this article is Coach K referring to Nolan Smith as the best on-ball defender on the team; as a freshman. This fact, coupled with his solid passing, and lights-out shooting skills, and we may see Greg Paulus leading in different ways than as a full-time point guard this year; particularly in the late minutes of tight games, when Paulus' suspect defense becomes more of a problem.
All in all, Duke is setting up for yet another very strong perimeter team with an unkown (at best) interior game. Should Zoubek surprise us this year, Duke may have a shot at going deep into the tournament. However, without the strong interior, Duke is going to struggle against any team that plays great man to man, on-ball defense, and contests three-pointers throughout the game.
Come on Brian!
Go Duke.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
El Solo Capitan
DeMarcus Nelson has been named Duke's only team captain for the upcoming season. Nelson was one of three captains last year, with Greg Paulus and Josh McRoberts, and Greg Paulus returns for his junior season as Nelson enters his final year as a Blue Devil.
At first, it seemed strange that Paulus would be a captain as a sophomore and lose it for his junior year, but the Blue Devils needed a go-to guy last year, someone they knew they could count on in the clutch, and with three captains, there was no single player they could look to. Perhaps going with only one captain will help DeMarcus assume the role of go-to guy.
Also, practice starts October 12. That's just around the corner!
Go Duke.
At first, it seemed strange that Paulus would be a captain as a sophomore and lose it for his junior year, but the Blue Devils needed a go-to guy last year, someone they knew they could count on in the clutch, and with three captains, there was no single player they could look to. Perhaps going with only one captain will help DeMarcus assume the role of go-to guy.
Also, practice starts October 12. That's just around the corner!
Go Duke.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
The Pain and the Paulus
We all know that Duke struggled last year in the low post, with only Josh McRoberts as their main, go-to guy. This year, assuming Taylor King does not get transformed into more of a physical player over the summer, the Blue Devils are going to be relying on our boy David McClure and Brian "The Walker" Zoubek.
Unfortunately, both of them are experiencing
injury difficulties. While Brian will hopefully be cleared for full-contact drills before practice officially begins, David is a bit further behind in his recovery. I think we'll get an idea of how truly genius the Duke coaching staff is if Brian Zoubek manages to move his feet AND dribble the ball at the same time this year, a task that proved nearly impossible for the Great White Giant last year.
I'm also including a link to a story about Greg Paulus and his brother and his coaches and his roommate, and well, lots and lots and lots of other stuff. This has got to be one of the longest stories I've ever read about a single player, and yet it says virtually nothing after the first three or four paragraphs. Amusing, anyway.
Go Duke.
Unfortunately, both of them are experiencing
injury difficulties. While Brian will hopefully be cleared for full-contact drills before practice officially begins, David is a bit further behind in his recovery. I think we'll get an idea of how truly genius the Duke coaching staff is if Brian Zoubek manages to move his feet AND dribble the ball at the same time this year, a task that proved nearly impossible for the Great White Giant last year.
I'm also including a link to a story about Greg Paulus and his brother and his coaches and his roommate, and well, lots and lots and lots of other stuff. This has got to be one of the longest stories I've ever read about a single player, and yet it says virtually nothing after the first three or four paragraphs. Amusing, anyway.
Go Duke.
Duke lands first commitment
Coach K landed his first 08-09 commitment from Reno power forward Olek Czyz. Czyz is a 6'7" power forward with tenacious defensive tendencies and the potential for strong, physical low post offensive play. Duke is still in the running for two top 20 recruits for the 08-09 season, to go with Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, and Taylor King coming in for the upcoming season.
Keeping up with Josh (9/29)
Circumstances being what they are, I am a bit behind the times when it comes to breaking news. So, a person, could understand how shocked and dismayed I was to hear of Greg Oden's season-ending surgery, albeit 5 weeks after it was announced.
I like Greg, and I hope for him, personally, that this isn't a career-impacter in a negative way. What frustrates me the most, though, is the impact this will have on Josh McRoberts in Portland. Josh was a great fit, as long as there was a dominant big man for him to play with. Now, it's up in the air as to whether he'll find a groove that will allow him to stay with Portland until Oden returns.
Here's hoping.
I like Greg, and I hope for him, personally, that this isn't a career-impacter in a negative way. What frustrates me the most, though, is the impact this will have on Josh McRoberts in Portland. Josh was a great fit, as long as there was a dominant big man for him to play with. Now, it's up in the air as to whether he'll find a groove that will allow him to stay with Portland until Oden returns.
Here's hoping.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Keeping up with Josh
The NBA summer league schedule has come and gone, and Portland finished 2-3. Josh McRoberts played a little over 19 minutes a game and had relatively unspectacular statistical success, averaging 4.2 points, 1.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game over the five game stretch. While his points were not spectacular, his assist average and rebound average were good enough for 2nd and 5th on the team respectively, and this with playing fewer minutes than many of the guys out producing him. He also had three blocks in the five games, good for third on the team.
Also of note is Josh's work with Seeds of Peace, a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. There are some photos of Josh working with Seeds of Peace at their NBA day, here.
Also of note is Josh's work with Seeds of Peace, a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. There are some photos of Josh working with Seeds of Peace at their NBA day, here.
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