Duke Blue Devils
Atlantic Coast Conference (22-10, 8-8)
Seed: #6
West Region
RPI: 15
Big Wins:
11/28 Indiana (54-51), 12/2 Georgetown (61-52), 2/14 at Boston College
(78-70)
Bad Losses:
1/10 at Georgia Tech (63-74), 2/1 at Virginia (66-68), 3/8 vs NC State
(80-85)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2006, Sweet Sixteen loss to LSU
Coach:
Mike Krzyzewski (68-19 in 22 NCAA appearances)
Probable
Starters:
Greg Paulus,
Sophomore, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 3.8 apg
DeMarcus
Nelson, Junior, Guard, 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 apg
Jon Scheyer,
Freshman, Guard, 12.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg
David McClure,
Sophomore, Forward, 4.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Josh McRoberts,
Sophomore, Forward, 12.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg
Key
Roleplayers:
Gerald
Henderson, Freshman, Guard, 6.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Martynas Pocius,
Sophomore, Guard, 1.9 ppg, 0.5 rpg
Lance Thomas,
Freshman, Forward, 4.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Brian Zoubek,
Freshman, Center, 3.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Why They Can
Surprise:
Josh McRoberts
is not your typical big man. The 6-10 sophomore dishes out over three
assists per game and has a better assist to turnover ratio than the point
guard. He’s a great passer and likes to step away from the basket, which
opens the lane for cutters and easy lay-ups. McRoberts does his fair share
of scoring too and is a solid rebounder.
The Blue Devils
defense has some weaknesses, but overall they only give up 60.8 points per
game and allow the opposition to shoot under 42% from the floor. McRoberts
is a defensive presence under the basket and averages 2.4 blocks per game.
However, quality scoring big men have proven that they can have big games
against Duke. After McRoberts, the depth up front can become a problem.
Freshman Lance Thomas and glue guy David McClure are important roleplayers,
but the absence of McRoberts on the floor quickly turns Duke into a
one-dimensional perimeter orientated squad.
Why They Can
Disappoint:
Turnovers,
turnovers, turnovers. Duke averages 15.4 per game and that problem falls on
point guard Greg Paulus. The sophomore has a tendency of forcing passes and
must work within the flow of the game more effectively. Backcourt mate
DeMarcus Nelson is the teams leading scorer, but unlike most of the Duke
squad, tends to get into early foul trouble.
Who To
Watch:
The success or
failure of Duke could depend on the play of a couple of freshmen guards. Jon
Scheyer is a good outside shooter and usually earns a starting job. The 6-5
Northbrook, IL product has the ability to get hot and put up 25 points, but
he can also disappear for games at a time. If Coach K wants a more athletic
group on the floor, he will look to Gerald Henderson. Henderson is a more
complete player than the catch and shoot Scheyer and can get to the basket
and help out on the glass.
Joel’s
Bracket Says: First Round loss to VCU
