"Should I stay, or should I go?

By Paul Gotham

John Wall, Antoine Walker and Joe Strummer

‘Tis the season to figure out who is staying and who is leaving.  Wait! Is that a Clash song I hear you humming? That’s right -  “Should I stay, or should I go?”

Click here to get Sports Illustrated’s most recent list of 2010 NBA draft early entries.   The list is still growing. CBS’s Gary Parrish is reporting that Memphis’s Elliot Williams intends to dip his toes into the water and check the temperature. How far behind is Duke’s Kyle Singler?

With Williams included, that makes 45 early entries. Someone check my math on that one, and correct me if I am wrong. There are 30 teams in the NBA. There are two rounds in the NBA Draft. That means sixty guys will hear their name called on June 24th.

Many are referring to the possible lockout as motivation for the large number of early entrants. I realize this a naive view, but look at that logic. These guys are leaving a chance to play for the possibility of sitting out. I know; I know. It’s all about the cash.

Excuse me for a second.

I had to go rinse the vomit from my mouth.

Hopefully, some of these guys will come to their senses by the May 8th deadline to remove a name and maintain college eligibility. Have any of these guys considered that Michael Jordan played three years in the NCAA? Have any of them heard or read the cautionary tale of Antoine Walker? If not, they could click here for one version. Or, click here for another version. If a fourth story is needed, then click here.

Anyone sick of clicking yet?

I can provide more links if needed. Just leave a comment, I’ll post a couple more. We aim to please here at Pickin’ Splinters.

I understand John Wall leaving. His only rival when it comes to hype is…is…um…the Jonas Brothers?

I’ll let you think about that one for a minute.

Seriously, does he think the NBA is going to be any easier than that game against West Virginia?

Funny thing is, when I look at that list, at least half of those guys are going to the NBA because they think it will be easier. Think about it. They can’t hack the requirements of college life, so they go to the Association. At what point do NBA execs realize this, and stop drafting guys who are looking for the easy way out?

Has anyone considered that MJ has contributed to the current watered down level of play in the Association?

Merry go round

“In dreams. Writes ‘em down it seems. When she sleeps, she’s free. Merry go round in dreams.”

Players aren’t the only ones making moves. Now is the time for upwardly mobile coaches to claim their stake.

Click here for a list of most of the coaching changes up to this point.

Some worth noting. Oliver Purnell makes the move from Clemson to DePaul. When DePaul hesitated on this hire, I thought for sure they were waiting for the Duke season to end. I expected either one of the Chicago natives on the Duke staff – Chris Collins or Steve Wojciechowski – would make the move.

This is a noble move by Purnell as he tries to resurrect the once proud DePaul program. Purnell did a great job bringing back the Dayton program. He kept Clemson afloat. Here’s the thing, Purnell has NEVER won an NCAA Tournament game. Will he learn his lesson? Purnell’s teams start great and fade because they make a living on full-court pressure. You can’t give good teams a steady diet of full-court pressure. Early in the year, you might catch a team unprepared. That won’t happen in February or March.

Sad to see Fran McCaffery leave Siena. He had a good thing going, and a strong group returning for next year.  Here’s hoping Mitch Buonaguro can keep things moving in a positive direction.

Iowa fans should ready themselves for McCaffery’s teams to play up-tempo basketball.

Cheers to Brad Stevens. The Butler coach avoided making like a Monkees’ song and using the Bulldogs as his “stepping stone.” Stevens signed to stay with Butler through…a whole lotta years. Parrish quickly pointed out this doesn’t mean Stevens will stay for the duration.

When Stevens considered his options, it probably didn’t hurt that Butler returns four starters and three important bench players. Did I hear correctly? Is Butler’s incoming class rated higher than Syracuse’s?

The mother of all head scratchers has to be the firing of Dino Gaudio by Wake Forest. Slice this however you want. What it comes down to? The Wake Forest AD (who shall remain nameless for now) has a buddy (who also shall remain nameless for now) who is struggling to win games, and he wants to give him a clean slate.

Good luck!

Gaudio will land on his feet somewhere. Here’s hoping Gaudio takes the Clemson job and kicks the snot out of the Demon Deacons. Fact is, Gaudio probably would not stoop to that level, and the Tigers are already set to name Brad Brownell as their replacement.

Strength of schedule shift?

How will Butler’s run to the national finals affect SOS in the future? Consider this – the Bulldogs arrived at The Dance with four losses: Minnesota (they made the tournament), Clemson (also invited), Georgetown (punched a ticket) AND…AND…UAB! In fact, the Blazers won that game by 10 – Butler’s largest losing margin all season. Take a guess at UAB’s record. I’ll give you a few seconds – let the Jeopardy music play.

Okay, if you guessed 17-17, you would be wrong. If you took a stab with 19-15, again, you would not be right.

The UAB Blazers finished 25-9 and lost in the NIT tournament. If the committee had a chance to do it again, do you think they would put more value on UAB’s win over Butler? How will that affect future decisions?

Of course, none of this will matter when the tournament goes to 96 teams. Tell me something.  Is the NCAA tournament going to adapt some form of T-Ball rules where everyone gets an at bat every inning?

More strength of schedule

Can you name the Sweet Sixteen team from this year’s tournament that played the most Sweet Sixteen opponents in their non-conference schedule? In other words, which school had the most teams on their non-conference schedule that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen?

Again, I’ll give Alex Trebeck his due.

The answer: the Xavier Musketeers. The Muskies played Butler, Baylor, and Kansas State in their non-conference portion of the schedule.

Got any College Basketball splinters? Post them here.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

By Paul Gotham

Another decade and another national title – such is life for the Duke Blue Devils and Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Kyle Singler scored 19. Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith added 15 and 13 respectively as the Blue Devils trimmed Butler 61-59 in the national championship game.

The victory gave Duke its fourth title under Coach K, and elevated the 30-year coach into some lofty status. Only Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp (4) and UCLA’s John Wooden (10) can claim that many NCAA Division One Men’s Basketball Championships.

Rupp’s titles all occurred from 1948-1958. Wooden’s teams won their 10 crowns from 1964-1975.

Leading his team in 2010, the beginning of a new decade, Krzyzewski has now coached teams to titles in three different decades.

The significance of such a feat is as simple or complicated as 7’1″ Brain Zoubek grabbing an offensive rebound, pivoting, and kicking the ball to a wide open Scheyer for a 3-pointer.

Coach K’s first trip to the Final Four came in 1986. His Blue Devils won 37 games that year, but their third loss came in the national title game to Louisville.

That game was played without a three-point arc or shot clock.

By the time Duke won its first title in 1991, an arc, 19’9″ from the basket, appeared at either end of the floor and a shot clock which counted from 45 stood mounted above each basket.

The Blue Devils avenged an embarrassing loss from the prior year downing UNLV 79-77 in the national semi-finals. Duke used a deliberate, patient offense to slow the heavily favored Runnin’ Rebels.

Two nights later, the Blue Devils completed the run defeating Kansas 72-65.

Bobby Hurley led those Blue Devils with 76 three-pointers.

This past season, Scheyer trumped Hurley’s output from long range with 110. Singler added 85 and Smith poured in 60 from behind the arc.

Krzyzewski’s ’90-’91 team made 176 of 459 attempts from 19’9″. Their opponents went 164-473.

The 2009-10 edition of the Blue Devils finished 296-795 from 20’9″ while holding opposing shooters to 158-559.

Hurley’s squad finished 32-7 – scoring 3,167 points and allowing 2,615.

Scheyer and company went 35-5 and accumulated 3,079 while giving up 2,439.

The result is the same. Both teams won the title. The process used to arrive at that point varied.

Those numbers illustrate just one aspect of Coach K’s ability to adapt.

Over the past 30 years, the game of college basketball has changed, arguably, more than any other period of time in game’s history. Throughout all those adjustments, Coach K has shown that to be a great leader one must change with the times.

The Blue Devils repeated in ’91-’92 with a similar lineup. Hurley’s three-point totals dropped due to injury. So, too, did the team’s totals drop (Billy McCaffery transferred after his sophomore year. He took 70 from behind the arc the previous year.)

The numbers, though, did not show the change in mindset. Frequently, Hurley pulled up in transition and let if fly from long range. A tact that few teams attempted to the same degree of success that Duke experienced.

Duke and Krzyzewski returned to the finals in ’94 but lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Injury and illness forced Krzyzewski from the sideline, and, over the next three years, Duke won just one game in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach K and the Devils returned to the finals in ’99 but fell to UConn 77-74.

Then, Krzyewski would have to learn to adapt to a new situation. For the first time in program history, Duke players left early and went to the NBA. Elton Brand, William Avery, and Corey Maggette all opted to enter the draft.  Along with Trajan Langdon’s graduation, Duke lost four starters.

Kzyzewski accepted it and moved on to his next recruiting class and team.

Within two years, the Blue Devils climbed the ladder at the Final Four again.

Duke reached the Final Four in ’04, and the experience left Coach K with a new scenario with which to contend. Upon the season’s end freshman Luol Deng went to the NBA.

“One and done” is now a part of basketball parlance. The shot clock counts down from 35. Three-pointers come from nearly 21 feet. Throughout it all, Coach K still wins. This year’s Blue Devils not only took more 3-pointers than their fellow alums some 20 years ago, but ’09-’10 Blue Devils might have caused people to look at the game differently.

Trading a deuce for a triple has merit. Instead of defenders trying to stop a rebounder from going back up with the ball, now they have to worry about defending the arc. It’s rather simple. The shooter’s hips are already squared to the basket. All he needs to do is step into his shot.

Why didn’t someone think of this before now?

All in day’s work for Coach K and his staff.

Monday night, the roles were reversed. Once the hunter, Duke was now become the hunted. Instead of Duke slowing the game like they did 20 years ago against UNLV, it was the Bulldogs’ turn to try and dictate the pace.

It didn’t matter. The Blue Devils adjusted.

As the saying goes, the only constant is change. No one embraces that change more than Coach K.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Reliant Stadium is the stage as Scott Drew’s No. 3 seed Baylor Bears (28-7) clash with Mike Krzyzewski and his No.1 seed Duke Blue Devils (32-5).

Plot: Big 12 and the Atlantic Coast Conference collide with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Sub-plot: Baylor makes its first NCAA quarter-finals appearance since 1950. Duke last reached the Final Four in 2004.

Flashback: The meeting marks the first between the two schools. Baylor is 6-9 all-time versus the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Bears are making their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Duke has punched 34 tickets to The Dance.

Foreshadowing: Seven Bears have earned paychecks in the National Basketball Association. Brian Skinner wears a Clippers uniform. Fifty-one former Blue Devils have made their way to the NBA. Fourteen of those alums currently dot NBA rosters: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Josh McRoberts, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, and Shelden Williams.

Conflict: On paper, the Bears and Devils cast mirror-like images. Both teams score 77 a game and grab 39 rebounds while keeping opposing rebounders to 32. Baylor’s opponents score 65 to Duke’s nearly 61. The Blue Devils grab 14 offensive rebounds. Baylor gets 12.

If there is slight edge to be found, it could be in opponents’ offensive rebounds. Duke holds teams to 11 and a half. Baylor gives up nearly 13. Perhaps the effect of an aggressive front line seeking blocks.

Baylor’s front-line is arguably the most imposing in college basketball. Anthony Jones (6-10), Epke Udoh (6-10), and Josh Lomers (7-0) have put the wood to may opponents this year. The trio averages 277 points and 18 rebounds. Combine that with five blocks per games and opponents get headaches trying to plan for these guys.

Opposing teams can not afford to focus merely on Baylor’s front court.

LaceDarius Dunn is tenth in the nation hitting more than three trifectas per game. The junior hits 42.4 percent from long range and has connected 114 times this year.

With opposing defenses focusing on his teammates, Tweety Carter takes advantage of open spaces scoring 15 points a game.

Quincy Acy adds nine points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Blue Devil front court holds a +6 rebounding margin. The emergence of Brian Zoubek and freshman Mason Plumlee gives Duke a well-rounded attack. Zoubek grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 14 points in Duke’s victory over California.

Make no mistake though, Baylor must slow down Duke’s big three: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler. The trio combine for 53 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Scheyer scores 18 a game to go with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.9:1. If Duke holds a late lead, Scheyer is deadly from the line – 181-206 (87.9).

Singler has scored double figures in Duke’s last 22 games.

Smith averages 17. The junior guard mixes a long-range game (51-133) from behind the arc) with a quick first step that allows him to get into the paint.

Lance Thomas scores slightly below five a game and grabs 4.8 rebounds.

Resolution: Which force is the strongest? Baylor might have the best blend of athleticism and talent in the country. Can Dunn succeed against Duke’s pressure on the perimeter? The Blue Devils limit opposing shooters to 27.8 percent from behind the arc (2nd in the nation). In the Blue Devil defense, Baylor will find a group that does not back down. Dunn and teammates might have hot stretches today, but Duke will make them prove it for the entire game. Scheyer has struggled of late, but Duke continues to win. Singler will force the Bears to use Acy more than they want thus limiting their size in the paint. Duke will earn its 15th trip to the Final Four.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Reliant Stadium will be a buzz Friday night as Matt Painter’s No. 4 seed Purdue Boilermakers (29-5) clash with Mike Krzyzewski and his No.1 seed Duke Blue Devils (31-5).

Plot: Big Ten and the Atlantic Coast Conference collide with a trip to the South Regional Final on the line.

Sub-plot: Purdue has redefined themselves since the injury to Robbie Hummel.

Flashback: Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer scored 20 a piece as the Blue Devil downed the Boilermakers 76-60 as part of last year’s ACC/ Big Ten Challenge. Purdue holds a 4-2 edge in the all-time series. Grant Hill led Duke to a 69-60 triumph over Purdue in the 1994 Southeast Regional final.

This is Duke’s 34th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 25th trip to the Sweet 16.  Purdue has been a Dance participant 24 times. Eight times the Boilermakers have advanced to the Sweet 16.

Foreshadowing: Fifty-one former Blue Devils have made their way to the NBA. Fourteen of those alums currently dot NBA rosters: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Josh McRoberts, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, and Shelden Williams.

Thirty Boilermakers have earned paychecks in the Association. Former Boilermakers, Brian Cardinal, Carl Landry, and Brad Miller lace them up currently.

Conflict: In the regional quarter-finals Purdue held Texas A&M to 55 points after 40 minutes of play. The Boilermakers won the contest in overtime. Painter’s squad will need to equal that defensive effort against Duke, but it won’t be easy.

Duke averages over 77 points a game. The Blue Devil front court holds a +6 rebounding margin, including 14 and a half offensive rebounds a game. The emergence of Brian Zoubek and freshman Mason Plumlee gives Duke a well-rounded attack. Zoubek grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 14 points in Duke’s victory over California.

Make no mistake though, Purdue must slow down Duke’s big three: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler. The trio combine for 53 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Scheyer scores 18 a game to go with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.9:1. If Duke holds a late lead, Scheyer is deadly from the line – 174-198 (87.9).

Singler has scored double figures in Duke’s last 21 games.

Smith averages 17. The junior guard mixes a long-range game (50-130 from behind the arc) with a quick first step that allows him to get into the paint.

Lance Thomas scores slightly below five a game and grabs 4.8 rebounds.

E’Twaun Moore scores 16 a game and JaJuan Johnson adds 15.  But offensive numbers won’t be the focus when the ball goes up. Keaton Grant, Chris Kramer, and Lewis Jackson will be counted on to slow the Blue Devil attack.

Purdue’s rebounding margin is a negative one. The Boilermakers can not afford to give Duke an advantage on the glass. Purdue’s opponents have hit 35 percent behind the arc. Duke finishes at a clip of 37.9 percent.

The Boilermakers have plenty of ground to cover. They will need to guard behind the arc and keep Duke off the boards.

Resolution: Purdue will not go down without a fight, but the Blue Devils have too much firepower. With Zoubek and Plumlee contributing in the paint, Duke will be too much to handle for Purdue.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

It is that time again. Let’s hear from you readers. We had another week of many performances with which to choose. I’m expecting plenty of Super Bowl nominations. Pick the ONE that stands out to you, and tell us a story.

I am going to leave open all of the football POTW’s and go with Kyle Singler this week.

Singler reversed his fortunes against Georgia Tech.

Earlier this season, Singler finished with nine points on two of thirteen shooting as Duke lost to Georgia Tech, 71-67.

This week was different.

Singler went nine for seventeen, including eight of ten from behind the three-point arc as the Blue Devils avenged the earlier loss 86-67. Singler finished with 30 points, two assists, a steal, and five rebounds for the night. With that win and another over Boston College, Duke took over possession of first-place in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

All right, let’s see ‘em. Give us those Super Bowl POTWs.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: It’s the ACC versus the Big East in a top ten showdown when Mike Krzyzewski brings his No. 8 Duke Blue Devils (17-3/ 5-2) to the Verizon Center for a tilt with the No. 7 Georgetown Hoyas (15-4/ 6-3) coached by John Thompson III.

Plot: Conference RPI is on the line. The ACC sits in third behind No. 2, the Big East, and No. 1, the Big 12.

Sub-plot: Georgetown is coming off a road loss to Syracuse – a game in which they opened with a 14-0 lead. Last time out Duke beat Florida State 70-56 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, but the Seminoles out-rebounded the Devils 38-29. All three of Duke’s losses have come on the road this season (North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, and Wisconsin). Georgetown is 9-1 at home losing to Old Dominion, 61-57.

Flashback: Gerald Henderson had a game-high 23 points on 10-15 shooting from the field, and Kyle Singler grabbed 16 rebounds as Duke beat Georgetown, 76-67 last season. Duke leads the all-time series, 7-6. The two have split 1-1 at the Verizon Center.

Foreshadowing: Fifty-one former Blue Devils have made their way to the NBA. Fourteen of those alums currently dot NBA rosters: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Josh McRoberts, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, and Shelden Williams.

Thirty-three Hoyas have laced them up in the Association. Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, Allen Iverson, and DaJuan Summers all earn pay checks in the NBA.

Conflict: Both teams grab just under 40 rebounds per game while giving up 33.4 (Duke) and 34.2 (Georgetown). This is a game that could be won in the paint. Florida State exposed Duke last time out. Georgetown relies heavily on Greg Monroe. The sophomore has 10 double-figure rebounding games this season. Six of those performances have come at home – all wins. Monroe has three or more fouls in seven of Georgetown’s last eight games. Duke will run a stable of post players at the 6’11″ sophomore forward: Lance Thomas, Miles Plumlee, Brian Zoubek, and Mason Plumlee. Monroe will need to stay aggressive but, more importantly, stay on the floor.

Austin Freeman leads the Hoyas with 16 points per game. The junior guard is knocking down threes at a rate of 47.3 percent.

Chris Wright averages 14.6 per game, and the Hoyas are 14-0 when the junior scores in double figures. Wright is 80 percent (53-66) from the free throw line.

Jason Clark and Julian Vaughn round out Georgetown’s starting five. Vaughn has nine double figure games this year and chips in eight points and five rebounds. The junior forward finishes 56 percent (66-118) from the field.

Clark adds 10 points and just under five rebounds for Thompson’s squad.

If Georgetown is to win, they must slow down Duke’s big three: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler. The trio combine for 53 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Smith has scored at least 20 points in seven of Duke’s last eleven games. The junior combines a deft shooting touch from behind the three-point arc (31-64/ 48.4) with the ability to slash to the basket and finish.

Scheyer is fourth in the nation with an assist to turnover ratio of 3.4:1. The senior guard adds just under 19 points. If Duke holds a late lead, Scheyer is deadly from the line – 98-109 (89.9).

Singler adds 16 points and seven boards.

Thomas scores five a game and grabs 4.6 rebounds. The senior forward will be counted on to keep Monroe in check.

Duke’s depth might be their biggest asset on this day. Only six Georgetown players average double-digit minutes. Duke uses eight palyers 14 minutes or more.

Resolution: Expect Duke to take the ball to the basket plenty today. The Blue Devils will want to make the Hoyas defend them. That is not to suggest Duke won’t let it fly from behind the arc. They will shoot from long-range to open the floor and then drive into space.

Georgetown will want to take a page from Florida State’s game plan and hit the boards. Duke is 16th in the nation in rebound margin, but the Seminoles exposed a possible weakness.

Duke used a zone to slow Florida State’s momentum. That tact will not have the same success against the Hoyas. Monroe is tough when he catches the ball at the high post and distributes.

This will be a one-possession game that Duke will win at the free throw line.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

Lawal

By Paul Gotham

Setting: It’s an ACC throw down at Alexander Memorial Coliseum as Mike Krzyzewski’s No. 5 Duke Blue Devils (13-1,1-0) pay a visit to Paul Hewitt’s No.20 Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (11-3, 0-1).

Plot: The Yellowjackets seek to keep pace in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Besides Duke, Florida State, Wake Forest and Boston College have all won their first conference game.

Sub-plot: The game is Duke’s second on the road this week. Wednesday, the Blue Devils topped Iowa State at Chicago. Tech seeks to rebound at home after a disappointing intra-state loss at Georgia, 73-66.

Flashback: Duke has won 24 of the last 26 meetings in the series including 11 of the last 12 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Known as the ‘Thrillerdome,” Tech owns a record of 539-188 since its opening in 1956.

Duke downed Tech 7o-56 on January 14 of last season. Kyle Singler led the Blue Devils with 14 rebounds and 19 points. Gerald Henderson also scored 19 points.

Since 2001, the two schools have combined for 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. Duke won the title in 2001. Both schools reached the Final Four in 2004.

Foreshadowing: Fifty-one former Blue Devils have made their way to the NBA. Fourteen of those alums currently dot NBA rosters: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, Mike Dunleavy, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, Josh McRoberts, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, and Shelden Williams.

Thirty-three Yellowjackets have graduated to the league. Current Techters in the NBA include Chris Bosh, Will Bynum, Javaris Crittenton, Matt Harping, Jarrett Jack, Anthony Morrow and Thaddeus Young.

Tone: Georgia Tech will play with a sense of urgency. The ‘Ramblin Wreck’ wants to avoid back-to-back defeats and falling behind in the ACC race. Duke will need to fight off any possible lethargy created by their recent travel schedule.

Conflict: Duke ranks third in the country hitting 42.6 percent from behind the three point arc. Georgia Tech has limited opponents to 29.2 percent from long range. Both teams have rebound margin near eight. Duke grabs 41 boards per game including 13.9 on the offensive end. Georgia Tech pulls down 42.4 per contest and 14.1 from friendly fire.

Nine Yellowjackets average 13 or more minutes per game.  Moe Miller and Mfon Udofia will need to set the pace in the back court against a pesky Duke defense. The Blue Devils average 6.6 steals and have limited ranked opponents to 32.7 percent shooting from the field including 13.3 percent from behind the arc.

Miller and Udofia will need to get the ball into the hands of teammates where they can score. Most likely, that means getting the ball inside to Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors. Lawal has seven double-doubles thus far on the campaign and finishes 55.5 percent of his shots. Favors hits 58.3 percent and has five double-doubles.

Udofia adds 10.8 per game. Zachery Peacock comes off the bench and chips in 10 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Brain Oliver (no relation to the former Yellowjacket) leads the Wreck with 25 three pointers. Glen Rice Jr. averages three points and two rebounds in 13 minutes of playing time.

Georgia Tech will need to be on guard against Duke. While this Blue Devil team might not have the star-studded lineup of Duke teams past, it does have cohesion. Duke teams of recent years seemed to have a signature pace and struggled to adjust to game situations. Some Duke teams could run the floor very well and jump out to large leads only to struggle when ball possession was necessary. Other Blue Devil squads have lacked that quick strike ability but could run fluid half-court offense.

This Blue Devil team deftly switches gears throughout a contest adapting to what is given by the opponent.  Against Clemson, freshman Mason Plumlee grabbed the ball out of the basket, made eye contact with Nolan Smith and without hesitation snapped a pass into the front court that caught Smith in full stride for an uncontested layup.

Just a few possessions later,  the Blue Devils were running half-court offense with precision.

This ability to change speeds is directly attributed to Jon Scheyer. What the senior may lack in athletic point guard skill set, he makes up for with an uncanny ability to let the game come to him.  In the long line of Duke point guards, Scheyer will take his place behind the likes of Tommy Amaker, Chris Duhon, Bobby Hurley, Jim Spanarkel and Jason Williams. Nonetheless, with an assist to turnover ratio at 4.58:1, Scheyer is set to break the single season mark set by current Duke assistant, Steve Wojciechowski. Beyond that Scheyer scores 19.7 per game with a free throw percentage of 91.5.

Smith and Singler add 18.5 and 15.9 respectively.

Hitting 52.3 percent from behind the three-point arc, Smith keeps opposing defenses off balance. The 6’2″ guard can get into the paint when needed and is handing out over three assists per contests.

Singler’s game has rounded out well. The native of Medford, Orgeon has hit 23 three pointers and has used the space created by that threat to develop his mid-range game. Singler keeps opposing defenders honest with an array of ways to score. Against Wisconsin, Singler scored 28. He made one three-pointer and finished seven free throws. His remaining 18 points came from a variety of means as the junior showed he can go off the dribble and finish in traffic. On other occasions, Singler can pull up and finish. He has also added a step-back into his arsenal.

Lance Thomas is probably the most valuable and most unsung member of the starting five. The senior is willing to play a supporting role to his teammates. But that is not to suggest that Thomas can not takeover when needed. The New Jersey has six points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Miles Plumlee averages seven points and six rebounds for the Blue Devils.

Resolution: Georgia Tech will play with urgency, but it will not be enough for this experienced Duke squad.  Duke hits 77.3 percent from the free throw line, and Tech finishes 68.5 percent from the stripe. This will be the difference in a game decided in the final minutes.

Got any comments about the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: The corner of 7th Avenue and 32nd Street will be hopping this evening when the Duke Blue Devils (5-0) take on the University of Connecticut Huskies (4-0) in the finals of the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Plot: For the first time in NCAA history coaches with 800 or more victories do battle when Mike Krzyzewski (838) and Jim Calhoun (809) square off.

Flashback: The teams have split 4-4 all time with UConn taking the last four. When these two teams get together, there is usually quite a bit at stake. Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater was the difference when Duke advanced in the 1990 East Regional. Khalid El-Amin and the Huskies “shocked the world” when they downed the Blue Devils in 1999 NCAA Finals. Last meeting, UConn beat Duke, 79-78 in the 2004 National Semi-Finals. Duke has won the NIT Tip Off in 1985, 2000, and 2005.

Sub-plots: UConn has led the nation in blocked shots for the last eight years. This year is no different. The Huskies have blocked 10.3 shots per game. On the other hand, Duke has made the transition on offense from a dribble penetration team to perimeter motion. Duke will need to convert outside the paint to neutralize UConn’s inside talents.

Conflict: Kyle Singler vs. Stanley Robinson.   or Finesse vs. Brawn.  Singler is a versatile offensive player. He can score inside and outside. Singler can knock down a three pointer one possession and on the next trip take his man in the post and play with his back to the basket.  Singler has done all that and more but not against a player like Robinson. The Husky forward knows no fear and does not seek style points. At 6’9″, Robinson has defended bigger forwards and smaller guards.

Characters: Jon Scheyer has committed just two turnovers while dishing out 27 assists in 171 minutes played this year. 18-year-old Andre Dawkins leads the Devils in 3pt. efficiency – 48.3% (14 of 29). Can these guys continue this success against UConn’s pressure. Nolan Smith moved from point guard to shooting guard and has averaged 19.3 over his last three games.

Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker provide UConn’s offensive punch from the outside. Dyson averages 20 ppg thus far including 6 of 20 from long range. Walker is scoring 16 ppg adding 6 of 11 from the three-point arc. Alex Oriakhi pulls down over 10 rebounds per game.

Resolution: If Duke is to win, the Blue Devils will need to hit over 50% from the field. The Huskies will give the Devils few, if any, second-chance opportunities. Many of Duke’s offensive rebounds will contribute to UConn’s staggering amount of blocked shots. UConn will need to take care of the ball and not give Duke easy buckets off steals.

1st Team All-Casey

PG – Sherron Collins/Kansas

SG – Elliot Williams / Memphis

SF – Wesley Johnson/Syracuse

PF – Jason Love / Xavier

C – Larry Sanders / VCU

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

’08 – ’09 Results: 30 -7 (11 – 5 ACC) Lost to Villanova in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, 77 – 54.

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski 760 – 215 (29 seasons at Duke) 833 – 274 (34 seasons)

Key Returners:

Brian Zoubek – 4.1ppg, 3.7rpg

Kyle Singler – 16.5ppg, 7.7rpg

Lance Thomas – 5.3ppg, 3.6rpg

Jon Scheyer – 14.9ppg, 3.6rpg

Nolan Smith – 8.4ppg, 2.2rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 12/2 vs. Wisconsin, 12/19 vs. Gonzaga, 12/19 vs. Long Beach State, 1/6 vs. Iowa State, 1/30 at Georgetown.

Stat of Identity: 4.1 Turnover margin – eighth in the country.

By Paul Gotham

If such a thing can exist, the 2009-10 season has the makings of being a lame duck for the Duke Blue Devils.  After a trip to the Sweet Sixteen a year ago, the denizens of Cameron Indoor Stadium set their sights on this season. Then Gerald Henderson left for the NBA. Not too long after, Elliot Williams transferred for personal reasons.  At one time, the Blue Devils had a return to the Final Four within their grasp. Now, more of the talk about the Blue Devils seems centered around next year’s recruiting class.

In the mean time, there is a season to be played, and no one should count out a Mike Krzyzewski team.

Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler will lead a Blue Devil team that starts three seniors and two juniors. That veteran-laden lineup may lead fans to believe that Duke will take on the look of the past few years. That may be true if fans focus on the end of last year.

Late last season, Krzyzewski and his staff shuffled the lineup and put Scheyer. The change resulted in a more methodical offense for the Devils. Gone was the up-tempo approach Duke used for the previous seasons. The change also helped the Blue Devils advance in the NCAA Tournament further than when running an up tempo game.

Scheyer and Nolan Smith will share the point guard responsibilities. When Scheyer has the ball, Duke will run screens to passing lanes. With the ball in Smith’s hands, the Blue Devils will look for penetration and anydefensive break downs from opponents. Smith will need to make better decisions than in the past, and the junior will need to stay out of foul trouble.

Brian Zoubek is the enigma for the Blue Devils. At 7’1″, Zoubek is nothing if he isn’t imposing. The senior has yet to establish himself as a force inside that opponents must stop.

Singler provides an inside/out threat, but will be needed around the basket to pick up rebounds.

Lance Thomas has plenty of experience, but the senior has never quite reached his potential. Krzyzewski does not need Thomas to lead the Blue Devils in scoring, but the forward needs to finish in the paint.

Brothers, Miles and Mason Plumlee give Duke plenty of size coming off the bench.  Freshmen, Ryan Kelly and Andre Dawkins will get their chance to prove themselves early in the season.

25 | 23t | 23t | 22| 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9

As the Michigan State Spartans did their finest Roberto Duran and begged – ‘no mas’, the North Carolina Tar Heels secured a six to five advantage for the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2008 Big Ten/ACC Challenge .

Tyler Hansbrough dropped 25 points and Ty Lawson dished out eight assists as the Heels spanked the Spartans 98-63 in a game that wasn’t even that close. Hey Wally! How are you feeling about that ND loss to UNC now?

The ACC has won all ten of the events and now holds a 62-35 advantage in the Challenge.

Looking at these numbers can give someone a skewed perspective of the two conferences. During the same ten years each conference has sent nine representatives to the Final Four. The ACC winning three times – UNC ’05, Maryland ’02, and Duke ’01 while Michigan State the lone Big 10 winner in 2000.

Any time I hear someone giving up the Big Ten for dead, 2005 comes to mind. The Midwest conference looked rather average all season long (many, including yours truly, attributed Illinois’s gaudy numbers that year to the Big Ten being mediocre) and then all of sudden the Illni and Michigan State met at the Arch in St. Louie. Big Ten hoops can look less than spectacular at times – rebounding and playing defense, but there is no doubting its effectiveness come March.

Chances are the same thing will happen this year. Not sure who, but it would a safe guess to say two Big Ten teams will advance to the Elite Eight.

For now all we have is the Challenge to discuss.

Four of the contests were one-possession games – Boston College tripped Iowa 57-55, Clemson took the battle of the orange with a 76-74 win over Illinois, Penn State knocked off Georgia Tech 85-83, and Wisconsin nipped Virginia Tech 74-72.

The Tigers of Clemson used multiple presses to overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and win at Champaign. Clemson began to tip the game in their advantage when they used their run-and-jump defense. I am not sure why more teams don’t deploy this scheme. It can be very easily disguised and the defensive rotations are rarely consistent thus taking an offense out of any designed set.

Fans from both teams were decked out in orange creating a great atmosphere.

The Hokies have to be looking around and seeing if there any rattlers or pythons in the locker room because

Ole!

they sure are snake bit early in the year. Dante Jackson’s half-court heave helped Xavier trip Va. Tech in the Puerto Rico Classic 63-62. Monday night Trevon Hughes’s jumper in the lane sealed a 74-72 win for the Badgers. Of course the Hokies could be accused of mismanaging the clock as they left Wisconsin more than 10 ticks to score the game-winner. Then the Va. Tech employed a matador defense saying Ole! as Hughes slipped past three defenders for the bucket.

And how about those Northwestern Wild…er…Mildcats? Bill Carmody’s gang beat Florida State 73-59.

Gotta give credit to Indiana and Tom Crean. Though they were dismantled by Wake Forest 83-58, the Hoosiers never stopped working. Wake Forest pressed for most of the first half and early in the second. The absolute last thing Crean and his crew of inexperienced players wanted to see. But with the Demon Deacs eliminating any semblance of a half-court offense, the Hoosiers resorted to taking the ball to the rack. And take it to the rack the Hoosiers did – unfortunately without much success. Again, I hope Kelvin Sampson gets severe carpal tunnel for the duration of the Hoosier rebuilding.

The most pleasant surprise for me had to be the performance of the Duke Blue Devils and in particular, Kyle Singler. Not long ago I was asked if I thought the Duke sophomore was one of the top 25 players in the country. I laughed…loudly.

Singler showed me very little until Tuesday night. But the other night he looked like he took the Robbie Hummel hype personally as he scored 20 and his six offensive rebounds were as many as the entire Boilermaker squad pulled down. Singler looked rather man-like at times.

Jon Scheyer also chipped in 20 including three 3s.

The most significant single play of the game for me occurred mid-way through the first half. With the play clock running down, and the Purdue defense extended beyond the arc, Nolan Smith took the ball to the rack and finished. Duke hasn’t had anyone who could do that since…since…since Chris Duhon. That play changed the complexion of the game. From then on Purdue had to respect Smith off the dribble. Now the sophomore has to learn to play defense without fouling.

The award for the most brainless play of the Challenge has to go to Miami’s Jack McClinton who was ejected less than ten minutes into the Hurricanes’ match-up with Ohio State. What could have happened in the first nine minutes of a non-conference game that would cause a player to take a swipe at an opponent? This would have been more understandable if the Hurricanes were playing a conference rival where there was a history between the two teams. But nine minutes into the game? Relax son – it’s December.

Hug a Hilltopper – though not part of the Challenge, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Western Kentucky’s

Can I skip tomorrow's practice?

68-54 upset of Louisville. I only caught highlights of the game, but the picture of the Cardinal bench at the end of the game was priceless. The looks on the kids’ faces was that of fear thinking about Coach Pitino’s practice plan for the next day.

Western Kentucky didn’t stop there. Two nights later the Hilltoppers took care of Georgia 67-63. Western Kentucky looks fine despite losing last year’s leading scorer, Courtney Lee, to the NBA.

Time to enjoy the Pac-10 / Big 12 Hardwood Series.

Oh yeah – how many of you upon reading the title thought of Bo Derek? How many of you knew of Bo Derek before my previous question?