Duke in a new role: favorite

Duke

Duke in a new role: favorite

By The Devils Den

Feb 10, 2010

comments

Duke takes a different type of label into the first game against North Carolina this season. The Blue Devils are the clear favorites for the Feb. 10 game in Chapel Hill, N.C.

It has been awhile since Duke has held that tag against their neighbors. The Blue Devils have lost six of the past seven meetings, and seven of the previous nine, against North Carolina.

But being the perceived favorites is a role the Blue Devils have held in most other instances other than against North Carolina the past few years.

So Duke is conditioned to take the best shots from opponents.

"We are going to keep going and doing our thing and seeing what the heck happens as we develop," coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

The Blue Devils are aware of the type of passion opponents play with when they're in need of a signature victory. It's rare that North Carolina falls into this position because this game usually carries plenty of weight, even without the Tar Heels taking the court with a degree of desperation.

Both teams have several freshmen and sophomores in key roles. How they handle the fanfare associated with this game could determine the outcome.

NOTES, QUOTES
--Duke's 15-for-26 free throw shooting at Boston College was troubling for a team that began the week shooting an ACC-best 77.4 percent on foul shots. The outing against Boston College would have been worse if not for G Jon Scheyer making all six of his attempts.

--G Jon Scheyer and G Nolan Smith each played 40 minutes against Boston College in a road game that came about 41 hours after a home victory against Georgia Tech. "You can't think about how many minutes you played," Smith said. "Can't care if you're banged up, you just have to continue to play."

ON THE SPOT: Duke's altered defensive strategy of reduced extended pressure might be most evident by the fact that the Blue Devils were credited with only four steals in the victory at Boston College. They had only six steals in the previous game at home against Georgia Tech. In previous years, the Blue Devils preyed on opponents so they could try to score often in transition. With North Carolina's guards struggling at times, it might be tempting for the Blue Devils to raise the pressure in their next game, which comes at North Carolina on Feb. 10.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We wouldn't (have this 19-4 record) unless we've played very, very well. We're not going to define ourselves by four games. We're going to define ourselves by our full body of work." -- Coach Mike Krzyzewski, on his first-place team that seems under regular scrutiny because of some losses. The Blue Devils have won their past two ACC road games.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
SEASON RECAP: The Blue Devils are one victory away from another 20-win season and, despite a few dips, they've established themselves as front runners in the ACC. They showed grit in turning back Boston College about 41 hours after winning a rematch with Georgia Tech. They've already swept league opponents Clemson and Boston College.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Duke in a new role: favorite

Carolina fans hate it when Duke fans use big words like, Hi.

Duke 100 Carolina 3

It doesn't matter how much they score, they suck!

Roy needs to call a T O BABY!!!!!!!
- Posted by paulmichaelowens

Not tonight beech!!!

RE: Duke in a new role: favorite

"Duke in a new role: favorite"

Ha ha! LOVE that line! Because it is so true. Except this year, Roy has been Coach K's daddy. Well, enjoy it while it lasts, because the window is short lived. This new role won't last long. Maybe next year, but definitely in 2011-2012 will Duke assume the role as underdog to UNC again.

RE: Duke in a new role: favorite

Is WRAL going to whip out another stupid Duke/Carolina story after every 4 hours until the apocolypse? Duke is decent, UNC blows chunks, anything can happen, it's a rivalry, streaks will be broken, who's the best coach, blah blah blah. Let's predict the next headline on the next story... "Roy says 'Don't count us out"... or "UNC freshmen ready for The Game"... or "UNC/Duke game may affect recruiting"... or "Roy and Krhshedfsjiki wear the same size pants"...
- Posted by shakennotstirred

It's OK, I'm sorry State doesn't have much to be proud of in sports..they have to write about something.
- Posted by tlg0022

So they write eight articles about a 13-10 Carolina team that lost to College of Charleston, and won't be in the postseason barring some kind of miracle turnaround. Makes sense.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns

You seem to be paying attention to these articles that they are writing. I couldnt tell you how many articles have been written about State or Duke. Like I've always preached in the past, worry about what happens on the court/field. Thats all that matters unless you pull for a team where nothing ever good happens. Attendance at spring football games, potential recruits standing at the podium with a signed recruit or articles written about a dominating rival really mean nothing. Keep it about the game win or lose!!
- Posted by larrys080

It's hard not to notice. Once you notice a few, you begin to wonder where the articles about State and Duke. WRAL seems fixated on just one Triangle team, and the articles are there to prove it.

RE: Duke in a new role: favorite

Duke is just back to their old familiar role. They just took a break from it while Hansbrough was in town. It's just back to business as usual as they resume ownership of the Heels. The last few years were just an aberration for them. :)
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns

Actually, the period between Dean and Roy were the aberration.
- Posted by 4tarheels

I don't know. Duke won something like 18 of 24 during a stretch. That's pretty solid, and for a rather large number of years. This rivalry swings back and forth, with each team resuming dominance, then it swings the other way again.

RE: Duke in a new role: favorite

Is WRAL going to whip out another stupid Duke/Carolina story after every 4 hours until the apocolypse? Duke is decent, UNC blows chunks, anything can happen, it's a rivalry, streaks will be broken, who's the best coach, blah blah blah. Let's predict the next headline on the next story... "Roy says 'Don't count us out"... or "UNC freshmen ready for The Game"... or "UNC/Duke game may affect recruiting"... or "Roy and Krhshedfsjiki wear the same size pants"...
- Posted by shakennotstirred

It's OK, I'm sorry State doesn't have much to be proud of in sports..they have to write about something.
- Posted by tlg0022

So they write eight articles about a 13-10 Carolina team that lost to College of Charleston, and won't be in the postseason barring some kind of miracle turnaround. Makes sense.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns

You seem to be paying attention to these articles that they are writing. I couldnt tell you how many articles have been written about State or Duke. Like I've always preached in the past, worry about what happens on the court/field. Thats all that matters unless you pull for a team where nothing ever good happens. Attendance at spring football games, potential recruits standing at the podium with a signed recruit or articles written about a dominating rival really mean nothing. Keep it about the game win or lose!!

WRAL Sports Fan

Duke