Coach K's confidence runs high on freshman point guard

Duke

Coach K's confidence runs high on freshman point guard

By Tim Hall

Jun 28, 2010

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After a busy summer of coaching Team USA at the FIBA World Championships in Turkey coach Mike Krzyzewski will enter his 31st season as Duke head basketball defending his fourth national title.

Several analysts believe that Duke will have as good a chance as anybody to repeat as champions too. Whether that can happen has to do with how the Blue Devils deal with the loss of seniors Brian Zoubek, Jon Scheyer and Lance Thomas. And can mega-recruit Kyrie Irving be as good as everyone says he will be?

When asked if it concerns him that he's entering a season highly ranked with a very large expectations on a freshman point guard, the answer was plain and simple.

"No," Krzyzewski remarked.

"Not many years have we not been highly ranked. And I think we have veteran players to help Kyrie make his adjustment."

He also doesn't see it taking that long for Irving to live up to his potential.

"I have a lot of confidence in Kyrie. Kyrie will be very, very good right away. There's absolutely no question about that," Krzyzewski said. "He's that good a basketball player."

Duke will add a lot of talented perimeter players to this year's roster. Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler are both back for their senior seasons. Andre Dawkins is back. Seth Curry is eligible to play, and Kyrie Irving is recognized as one of the best recruits in the nation. But the Blue Devils lost some qualities that are difficult to replace in Zoubek, Scheyer, and Thomas. It goes beyond scoring points and grabbing rebounds.

"The leadership and the character. Not that we can't develop good character but these guys [Zoubek, Scheyer, Thomas], I thought we had as good a leadership as we've had here in 10 years since [Shane] Battier. Those three kids were unbelievable," Krzyzewski said. "We never had a bad practice with those guys....but again I'm excited about this group."

As for Coach K's responsibilities with Team USA this summer. He says, "it's done during mostly non-recruiting time and also a time where our kids are away and starting school. So it won't be that big of a deal."

The USA first take on Croatia on Aug 28. The gold medal game, should the U.S. advance, is Sept. 12.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Coach K's confidence runs high on freshman point guard

Carolina just won the NCAA Baseball Championship!!!!

RE: Coach K's confidence runs high on freshman point guard

Coach Narcissist makes his wife and daughter call him coach k.

RE: Coach K's confidence runs high on freshman point guard

If he's that good, He's a one and done. Or K is blowing smoke. Time will tell.
- Posted by Miscellaneous

Maybe you should stick to golf...
- Posted by tlg0022

Maybe you should grow up.
- Posted by Miscellaneous

weak come back bench warmer
- Posted by badcompany1023

also none of your business..

RE: Coach K's confidence runs high on freshman point guard

You want to talk about the national champs in the nba at least have something to bragg about. all your heels suck, and the best one is a backup. Oh and by the way the draft is not the only way to get into the NBA. All that NBA talk doesn't erase the fact your team sucked last season and will only be slightly better this year. Can u say VERTIGO !!!!!!!!! freakin tarholes.

RE: Coach K's confidence runs high on freshman point guard

Or,the 2010 National Champs in the NBA could talk junk to the 2009 NCAA Champs in the NBA.....wait a minute....
- Posted by blugoat

lawson great backup the rest of those 09 players not even a factor

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