Duke - The Other Team in the ACC
by BetUS Staff
All the burden of expectations in the ACC this season was on Duke team -- a team with four returning starters -- to be sneaky good, this is it.
Missing only guard DeMarcus Nelson from last season's team, Duke answered some of the questions about its post play, especially because 6-8, 235-pound sophomore power forward Kyle Singler elevated his game. He wilted late last season, but figures an extra 10 pounds of muscle will help him finish strong. Although teams still try to push him around, he is willing and able to push back. Case in point: 16 rebounds against Georgetown in a key January non-conference victory.
It helps that 7'1" junior Brian Zoubek and, to a lesser extent, 6'10" freshman Miles Plumlee gobble up minutes in the paint. Their presence balances the lineup, allowing Singler to also use his wing skills and avoid further punishment near the hoop.
Duke still likes its three-pointers, but not at the prolific rate of last season, when coach Mike Krzyzewski played to his personnel and relied on a drive-and-dish approach. This isn't exactly last season's Duke team.
Athletically impressive and still-rapidly improving junior guard Gerald Williams can carve his way into the lane and finish with a flourish. The difference this season is that he has taken a nice mid-range game and turned it into a three-point game. Duke still has no shortage of shooters, including Singler, junior Jon Scheyer, sophomore Nolan Smith and emotional spitfire Greg Paulus, a former starting point guard who turned into a super sub this season.
With all their high school all-stars, the Blue Devils have good depth, but some of the usual reserves -- such as forwards David McClure and Lance Thomas -- are offensive liabilities. They can get after it on defense, though, giving Coach K plenty of options and balance.
Duke bowed out in the second round to seventh-seeded West Virginia last season, but this group is much more capable to handle any kind of matchup.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Gerald Henderson -- Now has a great all-around game -- much-improved shooting from the line and behind the arc -- and gives Duke the athleticism it needs.
Kyle Singler -- He can do the dirty work in the paint, but it's his face-up skills that make him a tough matchup.
Jon Scheyer -- Mostly known as a shooter, but he is a crafty player who finds his way to the line for easy points.
