Williams loss puts Duke on defensive
Elliot Williams and Nolan Smith walk onto the court after a timeout in their Blue Devils' game against Binghamton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Jun 24, 2009
Duke has won eight of the last 11 ACC championships, so this is hardly a program that has dropped off the map.
But the stunning loss of Elliot Williams on Wednesday, combined with Gerald Henderson turning pro, leaves the Blue Devils lacking in the very area they usually make their mark – defense.
When you think of Duke, you think of the Blue Devils breaking down opponents with their defense – long arms, quick hands and ever quicker feet.
That hasn’t been the case in recent seasons, and Duke finished a staggering 11th in the ACC last season in field-goal percentage defense at 43.4 percent. Florida State led the league at 38.7.
Williams only started 12 games last season, but Duke was 10-2 in those contests. He started Duke’s final 11 games, and the Blue Devils were a different team with him in the lineup. Duke finished 30-7, tied for second in the ACC regular season and won the ACC Tournament.
For most schools, that’s an all-time great season. But down the road, North Carolina roared to the national title as the Tar Heels continued their run as the league’s top program.
Given UNC’s losses to graduation and the NBA, combined with two critical players leaving Wake Forest, there was reason to think Duke could be at the top of the league standings in 2010.
Then came Wednesday. And now the Blue Devils have two guards left on the lineup – Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith.
So Duke will have an enormous lineup next year, and some skilled players. The two incoming freshmen, 6-11 Mason Plumlee and 6-10 Ryan Kelly. The Devils will have plenty of inside players and an ability to score.
Defense? That’s another matter. Krzyzewski’s teams love to jump into the passing lanes, disrupt rivals and set up easy baskets with steals. And Krzyzewski loves players like Billy King, Brian Davis and Shane Battier who can shut down almost anyone, especially on the perimeter.
The key players who fit that mold this season were Henderson and Williams.
Obviously, both are gone. And suddenly Krzyzewski faces one of his most challenging seasons – a season where we could see a bigger, slower, and quite different Duke.
