DukeBluePlanet.com
Although Duke’s 77 game non-conference home winning streak stayed the same, little else that happened on the court looked similar to the product that you saw from last year’s team. In fact, the pace of the game, extended defensive pressure, and accurate outside shooting more resembled the team that played in the Devils’ last loss to a non-conference foe in 2000 than it did the National Champions from 2010.
Led by freshman Kyrie Irving, replacing 2nd team All-American Jon Scheyer at the point guard position, Duke overwhelmed Raleigh’s St. Augustine’s early and often in their first exhibition game as defending national champions. The new floor leader made his mark early by nailing his first attempted shot and three-pointer from the corner and followed that up with alley-oops to Mason Plumlee and Nolan Smith, the first of which came from half court. On another play in the second half, Irving was initiating the offense at the top of the key as St. Aug’s came out in a 2-3 zone to try and slow down Duke’s attacking offense. In a set we saw many times last season, the offense was too initiate with a pass to Ryan Kelly on the high post but Irving saw an opportunity. Impressively, Kyrie pointed for Kelly to slip underneath the two point men of the zone and led him with a pass at head height. Knowing that the defense would instinctively collapse on a player in the middle of their zone, Kelly turned and fired a quick chest pass to a wide open Kyle Singler who made one of his six 3-point shots with ease.
This ability to anticipate what’s to come is what causes many observers of Irving’s game to compare him to great point guards like Chris Paul and Jay Williams. Fortunately for the #1 Blue Devils, but not so fortunate for their opponents, Irving is not the only guard on the team with these skills. Duke seemingly didn’t miss a beat when they subbed in Seth Curry (first guard off the bench), Andre Dawkins, or even fellow freshman Tyler Thornton. Duke hasn’t had the luxury of being able to go 10 deep within out a significant loss in offensive production in a long time, and when Krzyzewski has the horses to run, he will.
Much has been made of Duke’s change in offensive philosophy this year (get out and run at every opportunity) but after watching the new look Devils last night, it’s clear that the increased defensive pressure will be the engine that drives a higher scoring output. It is not clear from just one preseason game if Duke will actually employ a full court press or do as they did for the majority of the game last night and simply pressure the ball handler. Either way, the depth, talent, and natural athleticism of the back court will wreak havoc on opposing guards who are not able to handle the pressure.
Watch this video from Crazie-Talk.com as they filmed from their seats on the front row of the Cameron Crazies’ Section 17.
