| | By Jay Bilas
Special to ESPN.com
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Friday, Oct. 13
After ripping through the ACC to capture yet another regular-season and tournament crown, Duke found itself running out of gas
down the stretch in the NCAA Tournament against a Florida team that pressed
and wore down the Blue Devils. That will not happen this year.
Duke may get beat, but it won't be worn down, as experience and numbers will keep
the Blue Devils fresher and more prepared to play against different styles. In
addition, the ACC will be of more benefit to Duke this year by offering
increased resistance.
In 1999 and 2000, there were too few teams that could give Duke a good scare, let alone beat them. Not so this season, as the ACC
will be the best conference, top to bottom, in the country. As a result, Duke could lose more conference games this season and be better for it come NCAA Tournament time.
Duke will be right there with Arizona at the top of the polls, and because Duke has Shane Battier and nobody else does, the Blue Devils could be one spot better in April than they are in November.
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Frontcourt
No team in the nation has anyone who can match the overall skills and impact Shane Battier has on a college game. He is, without
question, the leader of this team, and the best and most complete player in
college basketball entering the season.
Although his reputation was forged as a defender that did all of the little things that didn't show up in the
stat sheet -- like taking charges, diving on loose balls and taking the opponents best player -- Battier has developed into an absolute star entering his senior season.
Battier (17.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 blk, 2.0 stls) became a reliable scorer and
perimeter shooter, and showed an understanding of the game that is rare. A
two-time National Defensive Player of the Year, Battier has the demeanor to
dominate a game on the defensive end, and needs only to adopt that attitude
on the offensive end to be among Duke's greatest players.
Chuck Daly, the former coach of the Detroit Pistons, has said that Battier needs to further
develop an "offensive ego," and take over the game when it is necessary.
Mike Krzyzewski has put in numerous set plays designed to get the 6-foot-7 Battier a
shot. Look for Duke to run them frequently in late-game situations to force Battier to
take over.
After a summer of playing against the U.S. Olympic Team, Battier should be ready to take the step into superstardom.
Sophomore center Carlos Boozer is a 6-9 power player with an outstanding touch and a very good low
post game. Boozer shot 61 percent from the field as a freshman while averaging 13 points a game. He has a nice turnaround jumper,
and prefers to use his left hand around the basket. Oh, and he led the Devils in rebounding with 6.3 per game.
Boozer, surprisingly to some, did not make the U.S. National Under 20 team. He reportedly showed up to
the trials out of condition and unmotivated. But, because Boozer can be so
prolific at powering his way to the basket and finishing, he will be a force for Duke inside.
Although Battier and Boozer will gobble up most of the frontcourt minutes, several Devils off the bench should
see more opportunity for playing time.
Casey Sanders, a marvelous athlete, returns for his sophomore season. Sanders is a good shot-blocker who can
run the court, but has not shown the polish, presence and understanding of
the game necessary to gain significant minutes off the bench. But he played on a traveling all-star team this summer, and should be in a better position to compete for playing time.
Nick Horvath, a 6-10 sophomore with good hands and deep range, should get more of an opportunity this season
with added experience. Matt Christensen, a 6-10 junior center, started the
first two games of last season, and is a physical player. Christensen can
provide defense and rebounding in spot duty.
|  | | Shane Battier's defense is just part of an overall package that makes him the nation's most complete player. |
Freshman forward Andre Sweet, a 6-5 leaper from Rice H.S. in Manhattan, could see time because of his
athleticism and ability to run the court and attack the basket. Like Brian
Davis, Sweet could emerge as a contributor due to his athletic skills and
willingness to do dirty work.
Backcourt
Jason Williams has improved as much as any player in the nation, and showed throughout the summer that he is special.
As a freshman, Williams proved he could score and lead a team. He averaged 13.4 points and 6.5 assists a game, proving to be a very good ball-handler, a strong penetrator who can finish with authority, and a much improved shooter from the perimeter.
Over the summer, Williams played for the U.S. Under 20 National Team and the U.S. Select Team that scrimmaged and played against the U.S. Olympic Team in Hawaii. On the junior team, Williams was
significantly better than anyone on the team, other than Michigan State's
Jason Richardson.
Williams was the U.S. team's top three-point shooter, and was confident shooting the ball off screens, spotting up and shooting with
pressure. In short, Williams was, by all accounts, incredible. With
improved decision making and better care of the ball, Williams will be a far
more effective weapon for Coach K than he was as a freshman.
Joining Williams in the backcourt will be either fifth-year senior Nate James or
freshman Chris Duhon.
James (11 ppg, 47 percent FGs) is a very good athlete, with sometimes rickety knees, who can spot up and shoot from the perimeter.
James worked very well off of the other threats Duke put on the floor, and became a nice
option on ball reversal. James is a vocal leader and good defender.
Duhon is Duke's latest McDonald's All-American, and could wind up being one of the
best shooters in Blue Devil history. Playing with Williams, Boozer and Battier will provide Duhon with numerous opportunities to spot up and stretch defenses. And when Williams needs a rest, he can also run the point.
Because of James' experience, Duhon could come off the bench, but it will be hard to keep him
off the floor.
Mike Dunleavy is Duke's next great player, and has an understanding of the game that is beyond his years. Dunleavy can shoot it,
he is a terrific passer, and he can handle the ball well enough to play some point, if necessary. Dunleavy and Williams played together on the U.S. Under 20 National Team, and performed well. With the prospect of Dunleavy
and Duhon coming off of his bench, Krzyzewski will have a tough time containing his glee on the sidelines.
Bottom Line
Krzyzewski has been to eight Final Fours, six title games, and has won two National Championships. With a ring for each, he has run out of fingers. Well, he had better take off his sock, because this team will give him another Final Four ring. | |
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