Duke
Duke heading into conference play on top
Published: 2013-01-03 18:31:00
Updated: 2013-01-03 20:55:45
Jan 3, 2013
Durham, N.C. — Duke has cleared it's non-conference schedule with a 13-0 record and now it's time to begin their ACC march. Fresh off of a 17 point win over Davidson the Blue Devils head into conference play ranked number one in the AP poll.
"Sometimes a non-conference schedule like that can wear you out, I just want to make sure we're fresh. For our guys to go 13-0 with out schedule is just magnificent," said head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
But with that number one spot comes responsibility and after hard fought wins over Davidson and Santa Clara the Blue Devils are getting accustomed to taking every opponents best shot.
"With the way we're playing teams are coming after us and we want to be in the position to be number one but when you're in that position everybody wants to take you down," said Duke forward Ryan Kelly. "We need to be ready for that battle every single time we step on the floor."
Duke's also learning to win when their top scorers are held in check. Against Davidson Ryan Kelly, Tyler Thornton and Quinn Cook combined for 43 of the Blue Devils 67 points.
"We have a lot of guys that we believe in and we have a lot of guys in different positions that we believe in that can do a lot of things for us," said Kelly. "On the offensive side of the ball it makes us tough to defend."
"We got a lot of good players and when they try to take certain things away, whether it's me or Mason, Ryan gets the benefit of it and guys like Tyler and Quinn got a lot of open shots and were able to knock them down," said Duke guard Seth Curry. "And that's what we need, we need guys ready to step up."
Duke wasn't picked to be in this spot but they are heading into conference play as the team to beat nationwide.
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Most Recent Comments
RE: Duke heading into conference play on top
Duke has built this team over the past years. Coach K knows when some will leave early, and he gauges this in his recruitment. He doesn't fall short like some coaches do. Some. All of a sudden are loaded with only Frosh and Soph's. They never do this. They always have enough solid upper-class players that have experience. Some win with once and done. Calapari is showing it now. I see Duke splitting with State and UNC. Maryland will bust either of the 3 anytime. I am going out on here right now. Maryland will be the surprise team in the ACC.
- Posted by Hokie 94
An excellent post and I agree with nearly all of it. I've seen maryland and Virginia Tech play quite a bit from ESPN3 feeds and I think both of those teams will be very comepetitive in the conference. In fact The Maryland-VTech matchup can be viewed via ESPN3 and I was thinking about watching it. The Hokies need to shake off those last games which I would call west coast disasters. Erick Green is a scoring machine.
Just wish we had more depth. We only have 8 on scholarship, and one went out with a broken ankle. Erick is carrying the load right now.
RE: Duke heading into conference play on top
Duke has built this team over the past years. Coach K knows when some will leave early, and he gauges this in his recruitment. He doesn't fall short like some coaches do. Some. All of a sudden are loaded with only Frosh and Soph's. They never do this. They always have enough solid upper-class players that have experience. Some win with once and done. Calapari is showing it now. I see Duke splitting with State and UNC. Maryland will bust either of the 3 anytime. I am going out on here right now. Maryland will be the surprise team in the ACC.
- Posted by Hokie 94
An excellent post and I agree with nearly all of it. I've seen maryland and Virginia Tech play quite a bit from ESPN3 feeds and I think both of those teams will be very comepetitive in the conference. In fact The Maryland-VTech matchup can be viewed via ESPN3 and I was thinking about watching it. The Hokies need to shake off those last games which I would call west coast disasters. Erick Green is a scoring machine.
Interesting about Maryland, I have not seen them play yet.
Another DUKE buddy was saying that the Terps were bringing game this year. Sounds like they have a tough team.
DUKE vs. MD is always a good battle.
GO DUKE!!
While it was more so a few years ago (not discounting Vasquez and Hayes win in 2010 to tie for the ACC reg season) I am hoping to see them get into it again just like the 99-07 times. I miss that. But Duke looks pretty strong, even more so this year. Turgeon has done a really nice job so far and I'm looking forward to see how well they can play in conference.
I am hoping to see them get into it again just like the 99-07 timesToo bad your President and AD don't feel the same way the fans do.
RE: Duke heading into conference play on top
Duke all the way. We may drop a few, but come march, Duke will be rolling to the Final Four.
RE: Duke heading into conference play on top
Duke has built this team over the past years. Coach K knows when some will leave early, and he gauges this in his recruitment. He doesn't fall short like some coaches do. Some. All of a sudden are loaded with only Frosh and Soph's. They never do this. They always have enough solid upper-class players that have experience. Some win with once and done. Calapari is showing it now. I see Duke splitting with State and UNC. Maryland will bust either of the 3 anytime. I am going out on here right now. Maryland will be the surprise team in the ACC.
- Posted by Hokie 94
An excellent post and I agree with nearly all of it. I've seen maryland and Virginia Tech play quite a bit from ESPN3 feeds and I think both of those teams will be very comepetitive in the conference. In fact The Maryland-VTech matchup can be viewed via ESPN3 and I was thinking about watching it. The Hokies need to shake off those last games which I would call west coast disasters. Erick Green is a scoring machine.
Interesting about Maryland, I have not seen them play yet.
Another DUKE buddy was saying that the Terps were bringing game this year. Sounds like they have a tough team.
DUKE vs. MD is always a good battle.
GO DUKE!!
While it was more so a few years ago (not discounting Vasquez and Hayes win in 2010 to tie for the ACC reg season) I am hoping to see them get into it again just like the 99-07 times. I miss that. But Duke looks pretty strong, even more so this year. Turgeon has done a really nice job so far and I'm looking forward to see how well they can play in conference.
RE: Duke heading into conference play on top
They lose 2, maybe 3 games at most in coference.
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