november 9, 2012
ELYSIA SU/THE CHRONICLE
theThe chronicle Chronicle
CAN THE SENIORS BRING BACK THAT CHAMPIONSHIP FEELING?
ARE THE FRESHMEN READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT IN CAMERON?
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
2 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
what’sinside
THE CHRONICLE
sportsstaff sports staff
RANKING THE ACC #1 DUKE
Point guard play Can Quinn Cook step up as Duke’s floor general? PAGE 3
Leaving his Hood Potentially the best player on Duke’s team this year will spend the year on the sideliens. PAGE 4
D-FENSE Looking at the Blue Devils weak performance on the defensive end from last year. PAGE 5
Worth the wait? After redshirting, Alex Murphy and Marshall Plumlee get their shot. PAGE 9
Meet the fresmen Top recruits join both the men’s and women’s programs. PAGE 8 and PAGE 11
#2 N.C. STATE
#3 UNC
PAGE 16
#4 MIAMI
PAGE 17
#5 FSU
PAGE 17
#6 MARYLAND
PAGE 18
#7 VIRGINIA
PAGE 18
#8 GEORGIA TECH
PAGE 18
#9 CLEMSON
PAGE 18
#10 WAKE FOREST
The seniors After watching a three seniors in 2009-2010, Seth Curry, Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly are ready again. PAGE 10
PAGE 16
PAGE 18
#12 BC
PAGE 18
#11 VIRGINIA TECH PAGE 18
Editor: Andrew Beaton Managing Editor: Ashley Mooney Blog Editor: Bobby Colton Photo Editor: Elysia Su Senior Editors: Chris Cusack and Tom Gieryn Associate Editors: Brady Buck, Daniel Carp, Zac Elder, Jackie Klauberg, Vaishnavi Krishnan, Alex Krinsky, Jacob Levitt, Hunter Nisonoff, Paul Pisani, Matt Pun, Mike Schreiner, Steven Slywka, Tim Visutipol Staff Writers: Olivia Banks, Max Horowitz, Karl Kingma, Danielle Lazarus, Nick Martin, Lopa Rahman, Josh Rosen, Jay Sullivan Special thanks to: Chronicle Photo Editor Chris Dall, News Photo Editor Caroline Rodriguez, Recess Photo Editor Sophia Durand, Editor-in-Chief Yeshwanth Kandimalla, Managing Editor Lauren Carroll, Associate Photo Editors Jisoo Yoon and Nicole Savage
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 3
MEN’S BASKETBALL POINT GUARD PLAY
LET’S GET COOK-IN’ by Bobby Colton THE CHRONICLE
Kendall Marshall had almost as many assists per game as the entire Duke basketball team last season. The North Carolina alumnus and current Phoenix Sun doled out 9.8 assists per game while the entirety of the Duke roster managed just 12.4. The root of the team’s passing deficiencies could be improper personnel. During the past couple seasons, Duke has employed a number of combo guards to run the offense without a true floor general. The list of miscast shooting guards is a long one: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, Seth Curry, Austin Rivers—the list goes on. The combo guard trend has been around for years in Durham, but last season was a new low—the last time the Blue Devils averaged fewer than 12.4 per game was their 10.5 per game mark in the 1981-1982 season. The 2010-11 edition of Duke basketball managed 14.2 assists per contest, and the 2009-10 club tal-
lied 13.7. After last year’s season ended in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64, the signs indicating a need for change were plentiful. Enter Quinn Cook, who has been handed the reins as this year’s starting point guard after limited action in his freshman season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore from Washington, D.C. is Duke’s first true point guard in recent memory with the potential to match the production of Chris Duhon, who graduated following the 2003-04 season with a championship ring on his finger. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski could have given the starting job to standout freshman combo guard Rasheed Sulaimon, who possesses potential as both a lockdown defender and deadly shooter, or junior guard and defensive ace Tyler Thornton. Instead he decided that it is Cook’s time to shine under the bright lights of Cameron Indoor Stadium. “Point-guard play will be critical for conference play,� Krzyzewski said. “Quinn has been really good.� Cook knows the magnitude of his assignment. “Being the starting point guard, being named that position, it’s a lot of expectations, and Coach believes
LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! Less than 3 m from Duke iles !
Reserve your apartment in advance, Call today or just drop in!
Toll Free
-6604 .com 1-866-5en95 ts@newhome1 artm
pinnacleridgeap
versity thDomriesve.com 3611 Uniler idgeap
www.pinnac r Plans
oo Baths* s 8 Unique Flo Kitchens & ly Renovated AKFAST "ARS
* New
W "RE PED +ITCHENS s &ULLY %QUIP M OO NR 3U R K O s 0ATIO $EC ER )NCLUDED
ASHER $RY NG &IREPLACE s &ULL 3IZED 7 s 7OOD "URNI R TE s &ITNESS #EN RT OU # S NI s 4EN UNDECK LE 0OOL AND 3 s 2ESORT 3TY L #OURT AL YB LLE 6O T KE mes s )NDOOR 2AC *in select ho
&ROM $UKE TURN LEFT ON !CADEMY $R (WY RIGHT ONTO 5NIVERSITY $R YOU WILL SEE US ON YOUR LEFT
CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ/THE CHRONICLE
Quinn Cook has been entrusted with the starting point guard role in his sophomore season. in me,� Cook said. Entering his freshman season, Cook did not have the opportunity to showcase his skill set in the offseason. He missed the summer trip to China as well as fall practices with a knee injury, which may have made it difficult for him to break into the rotation by affecting the way his coach and teammates saw him as a fit for the team.
“I don’t think [Krzyzewski] believed in me last year,� Cook said. “I feel as though he believes in me this year, and my teammates believe in me. Just to have those guys’ confidences is definitely different from last year.� The program’s support of Cook as the starting point guard is not unwarranted, SEE COOK ON PAGE 15
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
4 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
THE CHRONICLE
MEN’S BASKETBALL RODNEY HOOD
LEAVING HIS HOOD by Brady Buck THE CHRONICLE
ADDISON CORRIHER/THE CHRONICLE
Although Rodney Hood has to sit this year as a transfer, he will spend valuable time adjusting to Duke’s system this season.
Like it does in most years, Duke has a bevy of talent for the 2012-13 campaign, but arguably the best player on its roster will never set foot on the hardwood this season. Forced to sit out for a year due to NCAA transfer rules, Rodney Hood, a transfer from Mississippi State, will get his chance to shine for the Blue Devils next year. In the interim, he’ll spend this season practicing against quality competition in Rasheed Sulaimon and Alex Murphy as he adjusts to Duke life and readies for the 2013-14 campaign. “They are both talented players,” Hood said. “Rasheed is a great driver. And Murph, no offense, but I’ve never had to guard a white boy that has been that athletic.” Starting for Mississippi State as a freshman last season, Hood lived up to his billing as a consensus top-30 recruit in the class
welcome Duke Fans!
The University Club, a private fine dining club located in the penthouse suite of the University Tower, is offering SPECIAL NON-MEMBER dining privileges to Duke University students, parents and alumni. Perfect for a meal before the game.
Football & Basketball Home Games Alumni Reunion Weekend Graduation Weekend Call Shawn Oleander at 919.323.4815 to reserve your stunning window table with panoramic views of campus! Advance reservations are available for the 2012-2013 academic year, so call ahead today!
of 2011. The Meridian, Miss. native garnered All-SEC Freshman Team honors after averaging 10.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Those numbers are even more impressive when considering that stopping Hood was usually opposing SEC defenses’ top priority each night. “He is a terrific player,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “He is a 6-foot-8 guard. We’d love to have him this year.” After the conclusion of the Bulldogs’ 2011-12 season, Mississippi State head coach Rick Stansbury announced his retirement. Stansbury was the point man in recruiting Hood and convinced the swingman to stay home and play for the Bulldogs instead of Georgetown, Florida State, Alabama and Louisville, among others. “When [Stansbury] left, other guys that I came into the program with left,” Hood said. “I was starting from scratch, so I wanted to go elsewhere to compete for a national championship.” In light of Michael Gbinije’s transfer to Syracuse last spring, Duke was left with a shortage of athletic and versatile wing players, so Krzyzewski quickly jumped at the opportunity to bring an impact slasher to Durham. The Blue Devil coaching staff ag-
“And Murph, no offense, but I’ve never had to guard a white boy that has been that athletic,” — Rodney Hood on Alex Murphy gressively immersed itself in the race to land Hood. And on July 1, Krzyzewski finally won the services of the lanky left-hander by beating out Florida State, Memphis and Ohio State in one of the most heated transfer-recruitment battles in recent years. “I picked Mississippi State because it was close to home,” Hood said. “I wanted my family to see me play, and it was a comfortable decision. Things didn’t work out there, so I picked Duke because I wanted do the opposite—I wanted to get out of my comfort zone this time and be pushed by the best coaches in the country.” For the first time in his life, Hood moved out of his home state, joining a perennial powerhouse in college basketball. In July, Hood enrolled in summer school and began working out with the team. The transition was a bit difficult at first. “It was tough at first during the summer,” Hood said. “But I needed to grow up anyway and get away.” Now, however, the soft-spoken southpaw seems to be much more comfortable. “He was a little quiet at first,” said Murphy, a redshirt freshman who plays against Hood everyday in practice. “But I think he has really come around now. He’s part of the family now.” The change of scenery is not the only adjustment. The vastly different mentality and intensity of the Blue Devil program is another factor he has been forced to adapt to. “It’s a championship-level culture [at Duke],” Hood said. “I have never been on this type of level. Last year we were good, but we weren’t expected to win. Everything is intense.” Hood has the talent to play at a championship level, with a skill set can be summed up best in one word—smooth. He rarely appears to be out of control, and often makes the game look easy both inside and outside. He combines excellent length with springy leaping ability, allowing him to finish in the paint and be a quality defender. Deft midrange and 3-point shooting abilities make him difficult to guard on the perimeter too. Hood needs all these attributes to keep up at the more rigorous Duke practices. Playing against Murphy and Sulaimon in practice has raised the level of Hood’s game. Likewise, the rest of the team has benefited from going against Hood each day in practice. “Rodney is a tremendous talent,” Sulaimon said. “I’ve learned a lot and I’m going to get better going against him every day in practice. He’s a great scorer and tremendous defender, and Duke fans should be very excited about him.” Squaring off against Hood every day in practice may be more difficult than many of the matchups Duke players will see when facing actual opponents. “He challenges me, and I challenge him,” Murphy said. “It’s a lot of fun. The best thing about playing against Rodney everyday is I think he is as good of a player as there is in the country.” Projected by some scouting services to be a first-round NBA draft pick in 2014, Hood will use this redshirt season to get stronger, become a more vocal leader and hone his craft to prepare for his opportunity to help Duke win a national championship in 2013-14. “[Sitting out] is going to be frustrating because I’m a competitor,” Hood said. “But I have to just prepare for when my time comes.”
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 5
MEN’S BASKETBALL DEFENSE
MEN’S BASKETBALL MEET THE REDSHIRTS
Fixing the D-
Was it worth the wait?
by Danny Nolan THE CHRONICLE
There were a number of reasons why the 2011-12 Duke basketball team struggled to a disappointing finish, and one of them was especially surprising for a team under head coach Mike Krzyzewski. The Blue Devils sported one of the worst defenses in the ACC last season, and also one of the worst by any Krzyzewski-coached squad. “One of our goals is to be better defensively,” Krzyzewski said. “The history of our program has been based on sound, good team defense. I don’t think we had that [last year]. I think we beat teams offensively last year. When you don’t have the defense, I think you miss out on a certain toughness and togetherness that’s only really found by doing things on the defensive end of the court.”
Out of 12 teams in the ACC, Duke allowed opponents to shoot the third-best field goal percentage and score the thirdmost points per game. According to statistics compiled by Ken Pomeroy, the Blue Devils ranked an underwhelming 70th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, which measures points allowed per defensive possession. The 2011-12 campaign marked the first time since Pomeroy began keeping the statistic in 2003 that Duke ranked outside the top 20. Throughout the previous nine seasons, the Blue Devils’ average rank was ninth. The numbers are hard to stomach, but there is certainly nowhere to go but up. This year’s team will benefit from the presence of several new players who can serve as SEE DEFENSE ON PAGE 15
ELYSIA SU/THE CHRONICLE
Ryan Kelly and the Blue Devils are coming off a season in which they surrendered 68.6 points per game.
AVOID
HUNGER WHILE CAMPING
by Daniel Carp THE CHRONICLE
One year after arriving on campus for the first time, Alex Murphy and Marshall Plumlee are finally ready to trade in their redshirts for Duke blue. Murphy and Plumlee sat out last season to gain a fifth year of NCAA eligibility, and there were times when the Blue Devils missed their pair of redshirt freshmen, especially Murphy. The Blue Devils lacked a true wing player and struggled to defend opponents’ more versatile and athletic forwards, a role that the 6-foot-8 Murphy expects to fill this season. “There were a couple of times last year when I wanted to get him off the redshirt thing because we were missing that element on our team last season,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. But after a long season on the bench, Murphy and Plumlee are ready to give their rookie years a second shot—and this time, they’re ready. “I’m excited and anxious to finally play,” Murphy said. “Now I know that this is it. Now I know that I’m ready to be thrown into the fire. I’m ready to play now. I can’t wait to get things started. I feel really confident coming into this year, and I feel great.” Murphy planned on redshirting all along after reclassifying from the class of 2012 to the class of 2011 and graduating from high school a year early. Suffering a concussion just before the season was set to begin that forced him to sit out the first few games, Murphy finalized his decision to redshirt just before the team departed for the 2011 Maui Invitational in late November. He had played important minutes in
ELYSIA SU/THE CHRONICLE
Krzyzewski said he was often tempted to un-redshirt Murphy at points last season because of his potential. the team’s trip to China and started Duke’s first exhibition game. Sitting out his first year allowed Murphy to sharpen his skills and adjust to the speed of Division I basketball, but more importantly gave him an additional year under the tutelage of head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “I think it helped me a lot,” Murphy said. “Being here and getting accustomed to the program and practicing against these guys every day last year helped me so much. It was great for me.” Although Plumlee did not plan on redshirting when entering college, he welcomed the chance to learn from Duke’s experienced big men: His older brothers SEE REDSHIRTS ON PAGE 15
Blue Devil Fans
GoDuke! Member/ Owner since t he begin ning
...
Building on the Blue DevilTradition!
NOSH DELIVERS ON POINTS 2812
erwin road durham nc 919-383-4747 noshfood.com
www.dukefcu.org
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
6 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
THE CHRONICLE
THE CORE FOUR
Four returning starters set sights on the Final Four by Tom Gieryn THE CHRONICLE
Head coach Joanne P. McCallie and her team shared a great deal of disappointment at the team’s heartbreaking loss in the regional finals of last year’s NCAA Tournament. But there’s a silver lining as a new season gets underway—nearly all of those disappointed players are back on campus in an effort to make another run at a title. Duke is the only team from last year’s Elite Eight to return its top five scorers from the previous season, and the top four of those scorers will likely continue to form the core of the starting lineup not just for this season but for 2013-14 as well. “With all the players that we have back and the variety of people we have, our limits—we don’t have limits,” junior guard Tricia Liston said. “We can pretty much do anything that we put our minds to, and I think that’s just really exciting to have that open door ahead of me for two years.” The continuity from last season—when guard Chelsea Gray and forwards Haley Peters and Elizabeth Williams started every game and Liston on joined the d half of the lineup for the second alented Duke season—will give the talented tering the 2012squad an advantage entering 13 campaign. ch member the It also helps that each quartet brings such different fferent skill sets to the table, both on and nd off the court. rent way of lead“We all have a different ing and we all have a different way of talking to people, and I think that really helps,” Liston said. d. “Out o find of us, you’re bound to n talk someone that you can d actuto and relate to… and ally understand their criticism riticism and their
ELYSIA SU/THE CHRONICLE
Haleyy Peters, Elizabeth Williams, Chelsea Gray and Tricia Liston, clockwise from left, combined for 49.3 PPG last year. encouragement.” lea Williams’ leadership style is the quietest of the four, but it is hard not to notice her skill set on the court. Despite stress fractures that slowed the genial, gen laid-back Virginia Beach native nativ at the end of last cu season and currently have her sideNo 2 recruit in the class lined, the No. of 2011 still managed to average 14 points an and 7.8 rebounds per game, leadin leading the team in both categories. Liston is sim similarly soft-spoken but plenty aggressive in finding her long-
range shot. She took nearly twice as many threes as any other player last year, making 57 of her 124 attempts for a remarkable 46-percent clip. In the team’s first exhibition game this season, she led the way with 36 points on 13-of-15 shooting. Liston’s 12 boards in that game were second only to the 18 rebounds pulled down by Peters, who is in many ways the most noticeable of the group, standing 6-foot-3 and possessing the most in-yourface leadership style. But in other ways, she blends in, lacking a killer attribute like Liston’s 3-point shot, Gray’s slashing ability or Williams’
post game. Peters utilized her versatility, though, to shoot 51 percent from the floor including 44 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. She has continued to work on her perimeter game as McCallie has emphasized the importance of multi-positional flexibility. Williams said she is continuing to work on her midrange game, and McCallie characterized Liston as a player who fits at every position except center. Gray will continue to see more time off the ball in order to give defenses a different look and allow freshman phenom Alexis Jones to run the point at times. “I think generally the more that we [work on other positions], the more that we’ll stop caring about position and then whatever five is on the court, it’s just more playing together and position matters less,” Peters said. Gray’s role will remain constant, though, regardless of what position she plays, because her focused nature makes her a natural floor general. “Being a leader, getting everybody involved first and then eventually looking for my shot,” Gray said. The 5-foot-11 Californian’s distributing instincts were on full display last year, when she led the ACC by dishing out 6.1 assists per game as Duke’s primary point guard. But not all is rosy for this group of returning talent for McCallie. The head coach emphasized that while her group can score with the best teams in the nation, they will have to focus on improving their defense. And the injury bug that bit the Blue Devils SEE THE CORE FOUR ON PAGE 14
3725 Hope Valley Road, Durham, NC
ATLANTA... HERE WE COME!!! This THREE BEDROOM, TWO AND ONE HAFT BATH HOME is the embodiment of simple elegance and classic design. Meticulously maintained, with such fine features as hardwood floors plaster walls, renovated kitchen and master bath, and whole house generator. All formal and informal rooms plus a screened porch and basement. For additional information please contact MARY TATUM, PRUDENTIAL YORK SIMPSON UNDERWOOD, 919-929-7100 or visit WWW.HOPEVALLEYCLASSIC.COM. Offered at $469,000.
20 Years
of Excellence
The FOREST at DUKE 1992-2012
2701 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705 919.490.8000 • 800.474.0258 www.forestduke.org
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 7
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POINT-COUNTERPOINT
Can McCallie make the Final Four? Battle-tested Blue Devils ready for the leap by Steven Slywka THE CHRONICLE
The past three years, the Blue Devils’ season has ended just one game short of a trip to the Final Four. But every season there was an excuse. In 2010, then-freshman Brittney Griner led Baylor to an improbable comeback in the closing minutes to send Duke home early. In 2011, after an unfortunate draw, head coach Joanne P. McCallie’s squad ran into Geno Auriemma and then-No. 1 Connecticut one round too early. And in 2012, numerous injuries finally caught up to the Blue Devils as the shorthanded team fell to Stanford. This year’s team, however, has no more
excuses. With four returning starters, Duke returns its entire core, leavingg little doubt that this is McCallie’s most ost talented group ever. The team is battle-hardened and should be motivated vated by three years of heartbreak. With this combination of talentt and experience, expect to see the Blue Devils in New Orleans ans come April playing for their eir first-ever national champipionship. National rankings already consider Duke to be a favorite for the Final Four. The
Duke is too injured to make the necessary late run by Karl Kingma THE CHRONICLE
The Blue Devils will not lack talent this season, especially on the offensive end, but talent alone will not suffice. Scoring ability will not mask the myriad injury issues and defensive struggles that will ultimately preclude Duke from reaching the Final Four for the first time under head coach Joanne P. McCallie. Just as they were last year, injuries have to be a primary concern for McCallie. Five of McCallie’s 12 scholarship players —juniors Richa Jackson and Chloe Wells, sophomores Amber Henson and Elizabeth Williams, and freshman Katie Heckman —will miss at least part of the season. Heckman, the team’s second-tallest player, will miss the entire season after tearing her ACL. Jackson, Wells—who started all ten games at point guard last season before being suspended from school—and former top-10 recruit Henson will all likely miss multiple games, and Henson is living proof that no timetable is ever certain. Complications from Henson’s knee surgery last year have lengthened her recovery process. Most troublingly, McCallie also announced that there is no timetable for the return of Virginia Beach native Williams. “Elizabeth is a work in progress recovering from her stress fracture,” McCallie said. “[She is] still not in practice yet.” Williams, considered by many to be the most talented player on Duke’s roster, has been plagued by the stress fracture in her leg since last March. An entire summer of rehab has apparently not gotten the All-American back to playing condition. Typically, a stress fracture can take four to 12 weeks to heal, but seven months later Williams cannot practice, much less contribute in a game. Without the 6-foot-3 sophomore, Duke will suffer on both sides of the ball. Even for the injury-free Duke players, there is a need for improvement. Worrisome lapses in defensive consistency could cost the Blue Devils down the road, especially in March’s singleelimination format. “We have got to be better defensively,” McCallie said. “There’s some shot-contesting issues that have been a problem for us. Rebounding-wise we are not nearly as dominant as we need to be, so there’s a lot of issues of improvement we need to look at as a team.” The same issues with closing out shooters and rebounding that plagued Duke in their loss to the scout team in the blue-white scrimmage could cost them games that matter in the future. “As a coach, you’re really concerned about defense and rebounding because I think we have been subpar in those areas,” McCallie said. “When we played the [scout team], that’s why we lost. That game should have been a 20-point win for us.” The Blue Devils could avoid perennial powerhouse teams like Baylor and Connecticut by securing a high seed in the tournament, but there are still plenty of threats in the field. Fifth-ranked Maryland will prove a stout conference opponent, and is also the type of team that could knock the Blue Devils out in the Elite Eight. If Duke does not address its defensive concerns, expect junior forward and prolific scorer Alyssa Thomas to make the Blue Devils pay. Thomas, an AP preseason All-American, led the ACC in scoring last year with 17.2 points per game. The list goes on. Skylar Diggins will be a force for Muffet McGraw’s Notre Dame, and Stanford will be looking to reach its sixth-consecutive Final Four behind star forward Chiney SEE COUNTERPOINT ON PAGE 14
Blue Devils began the season ranked No. 3 in the AP preseason poll and were picked to win the ACC. The rankings are a testament to the talent McCallie has brought to Durham, includingg arguably one of the best inside-outside g combination combinations in the country in point guard Gray and center Elizabeth Williams. Chelsea Gra One of the keys to any deep postseason run is a ttalented floor general, and Gray gives McCallie one of the best in the naM tion. She led the ACC by far with 6.1 assists per game last season as a sophassist omore, and enters the new campaign omor Duke’s undisputed leader. as Du Williams provides Gray with a talW ented option down low, after a freshman season in which she averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game
and was named the consensus National Freshman of the Year. She also showed off highlightreel skills on the defensive end of the floor, for which she was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. This deadly combination of inside and outside play creates matchup nightmares for any opposing defense. These problems are further magnified by the contributions of Duke’s supporting cast. Juniors Haley Peters and Tricia Liston play their roles to perfection. Liston shot 46 percent from behind the arc last season, and her sharpshooting helps spread the floor, opening up passing lanes for Gray and space for Williams down low. The 6-foot-3 Peters uses her mix of size and athleticism to SEE POINT ON PAGE 14
Game on. Ve[ Wo\V q [[[ moYLeV q VmoNLnJ aFFeVVoULeV
You’re old enough.
101 S. LaSalle Street Durham (919) 382-0533
online @ maxxae.com /RYH XV RQ IDFHERRN / ZZZ IDFHERRN FRP PD[[DH Z
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
8 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
THE CHRONICLE
MEET THE FRESHMEN
McCallie brings in another top recruiting class by Jay Sullivan THE CHRONICLE
With nagging injuries sidelining Amber Henson and Elizabeth Williams, head coach Joanne P. McCallie will have to rely on her incoming freshman class to play crucial minutes early this season. This year’s new group, the class of 2012, features the guard tandem of Alexis Jones and Sierra Moore along with post player Katie Heckman. Jones, a native of Irvine, Texas, is ranked No. 3 in her class according to ESPN and second among point guards. Her athleticism, offensive potential and skilled on-ball defense have earned her the first spot off the bench for the Blue Devils. In Duke’s second exhibition game against Queens, Jones had 22 points and nine assists including several difficult passes in the paint. Jones has remained positive about the promise of the coming season and her improvement over time. “I’m just getting used to my teammates,” she said. “I feel like the more we practice together, the harder we practice, it helps me get comfortable to where when we play games I get more comfortable and play my game.” McCallie has played Jones off the bench so far this season to maximize her effort and production on the court. “I think Alexis is a very talented guard. She’s got great speed and quickness,” McCallie said. “She’s got a savvy about the game and interesting passing ability. She’s got to learn, like all freshmen, about how to go hard on every possession and be consistent with that, so that’s going to be a process going forward.” Moore, a wing player from Hanover, Pa. also saw extensive minutes during exhibition play. Moore ranks No. 49 in the class of 2012. At 5-foot-11, Moore will be able to guard multiple positions on the court and contribute on the offensive end with solid mid-range shooting. “Sierra is not really a guard, she’s more of a three-four player. But I love her physical game, her body, her strength [and] her ability to rebound,” McCallie said. “She’s not going to be the biggest or tallest person on the floor sometimes but she’s very aggressive to the ball, and I’m hoping she can really help us out in that area.” After playing in Europe during the summer with Duke,
ELYSIA SU AND CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ/THE CHRONICLE
Alexis Jones, ranked the No. 3 recruit in her class, joins Sierra Moore and an injured Katie Heckmann as McCallie’s freshmen this year. Moore feels confident in her ability to play a significant role for the Blue Devils. “We had an advantage over freshman in past years, but it was a bigger transition,” Moore said. “It wasn’t anything I wasn’t expecting and [it gave us] time to get to know the team.” As her fellow freshmen have focused on improving on the court, Heckman has been forced to find ways to help her teammates while still injured. Heckmann tore her ACL as a junior in high school and required another surgery that took place Thursday. “Definitely bringing energy, being
loud, cheering on my teammates,” she said. “But also going and seeing if someone’s not hustling or something, and calling them out on it, because coach has really been stressing that. We have to sustain excellence within our team, so if there’s five of us on the sidelines, we have that many more eyes to see and that many more people that can go up to a teammate and be like, ‘Hey, pull it together.’” When Heckman’s health improves, her 6-foot-4 frame and intensity on the court can be her greatest contribution to the Blue Devils. “I’m just going out there trying to do
my best always, working hard, posting up and playing defense,” she said. Injuries to several upperclassmen have put pressure on this year’s freshman class to produce on the court early and often. McCallie has been impressed, however, with their effort and contributions to the team. “They’re doing great. Freshman can do no wrong in my opinion. They just got to play hard,” McCallie said. “Both Lex and Sierra are so coachable, and they listen. They do everything you ask, and they try hard. All I can say is that I’m thrilled with them and we’ve just got to continue to get the most out of them.”
Clench Your
MELLOW CRAVING Today
LIKE US :MellowMushroomDurham JOIN :Mellow Love for EXCLUSIVE email deals 410 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC 27701 www.mellowmushroom.com/durham
THE CHRONICLE
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 9
SHOW YOUR BLUE DEVIL PRIDE good luck to
coach K & Coach P and the
Men’s & women’s basketball teams From t-shirts to jerseys, from basketballs to spirit wigs, we are your on-campus source for all you need to cheer your team on to victory – before and after the game! Upper Level, Bryan Center Phone: 684-2344 Monday - Wednesday: 8:30am - 7pm Thursday & Friday: 8:30am - 8pm Saturday: 9am - 6pm
www.shopdukestores.duke.edu Department of Duke University Stores®
10 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
The sun sets on the seniors... by Andrew Beaton THE CHRONICLE
During the 2010 national championship season, then-seniors Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek and Jon Scheyer practiced every day against a team including three newbies: a pair of freshmen and a transfer player ineligible to appear in games. During their first years at Duke, Ryan Kelly, Mason Plumlee and Seth Curry earned their stripes on the second unit—known as the “blue” team— which matched up against the trio of senior leaders in practice. “When you’re seniors going against freshmen, you end up beating up on them a little bit,” Scheyer said. “I think they had some growing pains as freshmen. Practices were kind of games for Seth. Ryan and Mason were going against Zoubs and Lance everyday. They certainly grew a lot.” Thomas, Zoubek and Scheyer were bounced from the NCAA Tournament’s first round as freshmen, only to win it all in their final season. After the Blue Devils lost in the round of 64 again last year, the core of the 20092010 blue team has been entrusted with executing what they saw a trio of seniors lead three seasons ago: making March memorable again. “The three of us did something unbelievable—won a national championship,” Kelly said. “Then we had some experience of some disappointments. We’ve had some ups and downs, and going through those things together has put us in a position in our senior year to be leaders.” Curry, Kelly and Plumlee are the top scorers and minute-getters returning from last season, all having averaged double-digit points for the first time in their Duke careers. But it was not always so easy for the trio—Kelly and Plumlee combined to
play just 20 minutes per game me in their first season on campus. The former did not get on the floor in the team’s national championship victory ictory and the latter did not step onto o the floor until December after beginning inning the season injured. “Mason would be so stubborn bborn with me, but in a good way,” Scheyer heyer said. “That will make him such ch a good player for the rest of his career.” a eer.” ar Curry was not allowed to play op l y at all la following a season in which h he played nearly every minute of every eryy game gam ame at Liberty University and scored 20.2 cored 20 0.2 points per game. “We’ve built friendship and camaraderie on the court and off because we’ve causee w e’ve ’ve been through a lot of hard ard d ttimes— im — imes— them not playing as much cch h as as they eyy wanted to at times and me no playing nott pl play ayin ingg at all [in 2009-2010,]” Curryy sa said. “Just said id d. “J Jus ustt playing on the blue team—the —tthee ssecond econd team with Ryan and Mason—helped —h helpe p d us a lot. I had the luxury of being eing ei ng aable blle to b run that blue team a lot.” Three years later, Curry, Kelly y, Kell Ke ell l y an and d Plumlee have taken the place laace ce o off th tthee 2010 seniors as the leaders of of tthe he ffirst he irsst ir st unit “white” team. Kelly’s y’s ccurrent u re ur ren nt frame would overpower hi freshhiss fr fresh hhman one. Plumlee’s current ent p post ost re reepotoire seemingly expands ds ga ggame ame b byy game, and Curry’s experience ncee on the th he perimeter has grown beyond that nd ttha hatt of a spot-up shooter. But as their roles have gr grow grown, own, n, sso o have the expectations placed upon aced ac ed u upo pon n them. Curry was a captain last st sseason easo ea son and the two forwards earned arned that at role this year. And after recording cord dingg 12 double-doubles last season, Plumlee n, Plum u leee could have been a first-round und d pick ick in in the 2012 NBA Draft had hee chosen n to go that route. But he had two reasons ns to o come back for his senior season: n: avenging avven nging last year’s finish and playingg o one ne more
season with Curry and Kelly. “If you don’tt like k the people here, you wouldn’t come back…. Liking the people is one of the biggest things,” P Plumlee lumlee said. “[But winning] is what you’ll remember.” And head coach Mike Krzyzewski has made no effort to take the pressure off Plumlee, saying that as he goes, so go the Blue Devils. “I think he is one of the best players in the United States,” Krzyzewski k said. “He having that type of year yyea earr will will be be key key for for us. us I’m Im I’ very anxious to see how that will turn out.” Curry is settingg similarlyy high despite hiigh h goals goaals ls for for o himself him mseelf d e pi es p te being b ing ha be hamp hampered mp mper perred b byy a le legg in iin-jury iin His n the th preseason. prres e easo son. n. H i first is fir irst st priority p io pr iori rity ty is is winning winn wi nnin ingg a second seco se cond nd championship, part off th that cham ch ampi am piionsh on nsh hip p, and a d p an pa art o hat a iiss being guard beein ingg “the “thee best bes estt gu guar ard d in n tthe hee ACC ACC and guard and th thee be best ssenior best enio en iorr gu uard ard iin n tthe he he nation.” naati tion o .” on The The ho h hope ope p ffor o rea or reaching each chin ingg th in tthose hos ose ose expectations what was expe ex pect c at atio ions ons rrests ests es t o ts on n wh w hatt w a as started sttar star arte teed three th hre reee ye year years arrs ag ago o on tthe hee blue blluee team tea e m and an nd th thee fa familiarity ami mili l ari li arit ity th tha that at at has haas developed h deve deve velo elo l ped ped si sin since ncee th the then. en Th en. T They eyy know other’s games kn now each eac acch ot othe her’ r’ss gga ame mess an and d sa sayy the the ch cchemistry em mistr isstryy th they ey h have avee bu av built uil iltt in i that more th hat a time time im me is m oree va or vvaluable alu l ab ble l tthan haan h any talent. an ny amount amou am ou unt o off ta tale alen ntt. “I think experience thi hink nk exp xperiience is somee-thing can’t really point thin th ingg yo you u ca can’ n’tt re real ally ly p poi oint nt tto o in a box box score,” scor sc ore, e,”” Pl Plum Plumlee umle leee sa said. aid id.. There something else about Ther Th eree is ssom omet ethi hing ng eels lsee ab bou ut these thes th esee seniors s ni se nior orss that that ccan can’t an’t ’t be be put pu ut in i a box score—their scor ore— e th hei eirr ca cama camaraderie mara raade deri rriie as they the heyy prepare prep pr epar aree to b beg begin egin in tthe their h iirr he final Duke. fiinaal seasons seeas ason onss at D uke. uk “We “W We can can help help eeac each ch other othe ot herr get get off a little bit. Pause,” Plum Plumlee umlee said amid ami m d chuckles ffrom r m Kelly. ro “You “You kknow no ow what w at I mean, wh mea ean, n tho though. oug ugh. h We h have avee an understanding av und u nder erst stan andi ding ng ffor or each other’s games.””
CENTERSPREAD BY ELYSIA SU
THE CHRONICLE
THE CHRONICLE
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 11
...and rises on the freshmen by Tom Gieryn THE CHRONICLE
Rasheed Sulaimon has known for Rash years that th he wanted to play college basketball for Duke. Amile Jefferson made a last-minute decision to commit to last s -m the th he Blue Blu Devils after head coach Mike Krzyzewski Krzyzew became a late entry into his recruiting reecrrui u ti process. Sulaimon is a softspoken spok oken 6-foot-4 Texan with excellent size for Jefferson is a vocal 6-foot-8 fo or a guard. gu forward forw fo r ar ard d from Philadelphia who will need need to continue adding muscle to compete at the collegiate level. com co m And A yet, as the pair of freshmen join j i the Duke roster this season, it is jo their th similarities that could prove critical c to re-orienting a team that disappointed last year. d Both attended prestigious, aacademically demanding high schools and excelled in the classsh sc room. room ro oo om m. Jefferson carried a 3.4 GPA at Friends Frie Fr i n Central High School in Philadelphia, and Sulaimon earned Nadelp de p tional tiion n Honor Society recognition for his his 3.6 GPA at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston. Pree Pr Both drew praise from their high school coaches for being “groundsch sc h ed” e ” even as talented young players ed around the country spend increasaro ar o ing ing amounts of time absorbing their own ow hype. “From a high school standpoint for f r a player [he’s had] all the success fo you could have,” said Josh Polykoff, who wh coached Jefferson at Friends Central before accepting an assisCe tant taan coaching position this season at Pennsylvania. “He’s won state chamPen Pe pionships, pio pi o league championships, All-American. He was the big man AllAl on campus in high school at Friends Central. C Yet he still is unbelievably grounded, unbelievably humble, just a good kid.”
Wayne Jones, who coached Sulaimon at Strake Jesuit, gave an eerily similar description of his former pupil. “In today’s culture, the better you are a basketball player, the more standoffish you are, but that’s not what [Sulaimon] is,” Jones said. “We consider him to be an ‘old-school’ individual. He’s grounded. He works extremely hard. He’s a ‘yes sir, no sir, yes coach, no coach’ type of individual.” Those sorts of qualities are needed for a Duke program that struggled last year to find leadership and cohesion. Even though Jefferson and Sulaimon are rookies, they will have an immediate impact in the locker room. “Sometimes I’ll be outside on the perimeter, or sometimes I’ll be playing down low inside, but one thing I’ll always be doing is playing hard,” Jefferson said. “I think that’s not going to change no matter what coach asks me to do.” Their skill sets will also prepare them to contribute on the court right away. As Seth Curry has struggled through injuries in the preseason, Sulaimon has stepped up to take his place among the starting five in practice. He stole headlines in the team’s first preseason game with 18 points in the first half against Western Washington. One of the smartest players in his class and one of the most prepared to transition to the college game, Sulaimon brings a readiness to contribute on both ends of the floor. Ranked as the No. 12 recruit in the class of 2012 by ESPN, he has the ball skills to penetrate and shooting range out to the 3-point line. And he has the quickness and length to match up with smaller guards or taller forwards on defense. “[He is] probably the most cerebral basketball player that I’ve ever coached,” Jones said. “Not only will he know where he goes, but he’s going to know where
everyone else goes, and he’s going to know everything that the defense is going to do, and every counter that can be done to that.” Sulaimon informed Jones after transferring to Strake Jesuit that his ultimate goal was to attend Duke. Sulaimon could not resist Krzyzewski’s offer once the head coach visited Houston. “A lot of coaches... just tell you what you want to hear. But one thing I really appreciated from him is he told me he liked me as a player but he went straight to the things I could improve on,” Sulaimon said. “I knew no matter if I’m playing great or if I’m playing bad, he’s going to tell me the truth.” Jefferson ranked just below Sulaimon on many expert lists, typically appearing in the low-20s with his length and feel for the game. He possesses superior ball skills to most forwards but will need to add bulk to play inside and improve his shooting on the perimeter. “He’s just unbelievably skilled,” Polykoff said. “He’s 6-foot-9, very long and wiry, although I know he’s gained some muscle since he’s been at Duke. He can handle the ball, he can finish at the rim with both hands, he can move his feet. All the stuff you don’t really see from a 6-9 player, he can do.” Both Sulaimon and Jefferson come from big families—each has five siblings including four sisters—and have been heavily influenced by their parents. Now they will join a different sort of family in Durham, and they are excited to do so. “I have been working for my whole life for this, and just to have the opportunity to wear this jersey and to represent so many fans out there across America and to represent the history of Duke basketball and to represent the greatest coach in college basketball, it’s just such a tremendous honor and a blessing,” Sulaimon said.
12 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
Classic Favorite. Fresh Flavors. 4-diamond dining, golf-view terrace, saturday & sunday brunch
breakfast buffet monday to saturday 7–10:30 am, sunday 7–10:00 am
creative menu, relaxed style, all your favorite beverages
For reservations, call 919.490.0999. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
3001 CAMERON BOULEVARD, DURHAM, NC 27705
919.490.0999
WASHINGTONDUKEINN.COM
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 13
CHLOE’S COMEBACK
Wells returns after last year’s suspension by Nick Martin THE CHRONICLE
Everyone deserves a second chance. Take for example former Duke basketball player Lindsay Harding sat out the entire 2004-2005 season due to a violation of team rules and later became just the second women’s basketball player to have her jersey retired in the rafters of Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke’s Chloe Wells is determined to make the same type of comeback after her suspension from Duke for the 2011-2012 Spring semester for a violation of University policy. Wells, now a junior guard for the Blue Devils, was an important part of Duke’s campaign last year, averaging 10.4 points in just 10 games, putting her in the top five on the team in scoring average. Her success was cut short by her suspension, which hurt a Blue Devil team that lost a strong defender and vocal leader. But Wells did not take her semester of independence to relax or take a break from the grueling life of a Division I athlete. Wells used her time to work even harder, both as a player and a person. “I got a job. I started learning how real life works when you get out of college,” Wells said. But Wells’ time was not just devoted to her job. She knew there would be a spot on the team for her in the fall, and she was determined not to waste any time earning that spot. “Every day I was in the gym running or doing something to stay active,” Wells said. And her efforts did not go unnoticed by her coach. “She worked so hard away from us, where we don’t even see her,” head coach Joanne P.
CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ/THE CHRONICLE
Chloe Wells is back this year after being suspended from the University last Spring. McCallie said. Between her job and the hours spent in gym, either practicing or working out, Wells made sure not to lose touch with the one group of people that supported her throughout the suspension—her teammates. “My teammates came over at least once or twice a week. Sometimes we’d watch shows together. They kept me in the loop,” Wells said. “I watched all their games on TV and I came to all their games that were at home. I wrote to them, told them what they were doing wrong.” Being off the team certainly did not mean being out of their lives. This allowed Wells to have the extra motivation to push
harder and finally have the opportunity to be around the people she played and thrived with once more. There is another side to Wells’ comeback story, one not immediately visible when she steps back into action at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This is how Wells changed as a person, not a basketball player. A word to sum it all up—maturation. “With my time, I reflected a lot, and I realized how I got in that position and how to work not to get back in that position,” Wells said. But that does not mean those changes were easy. “She’s matured so much as a person. I’m
so proud of Chloe,” McCallie said. “She’s been through a lot of adversity. She’s come back strong. I think she’s come back a much better person.” Part of that maturation came from learning what she had to lose. “I have a whole bunch of privileges that I don’t want to ever forfeit again,” Wells said. “I want to make sure I do the right things, even when nobody’s looking.” McCallie has recently cited the lack of oncourt leadership as an issue, and Wells’ return seems to be coming at just the right time. Although she remains sidelined at the moment with a leg injury, McCallie is anxious to have her guard back. “I’ve really missed coaching her on the floor,” McCallie said. “She’s a vocal kid, she plays very scrappy and that’s been hard, to miss her.” Now that Wells has matured and improved both as a player and a person, the question remains: What can be expected of her this year? She has yet to return to practice because of the injury, but McCallie maintains her eagerness of Wells’ return, as she will certainly look to her to continue last season’s offensive success. “Whenever she gets back she’ll be playing, she’s a pistol. She’s a competitor and she’ll get her way in. She’ll help us defensively, she’ll help us run the point and push the ball. She can score,” McCallie said. “She’ll be hungry, and I think that’s her greatest asset coming back.” Wells will be looking to use this season to prove her coach right, as well as make up for lost time with her teammates. “I’m just ready to give all that I have to them, since I made a mistake that took myself out of the picture,” Wells said.
7 21 Broa d Street cakes • pies • cupcakes salads • soups • sandwiches Another delicious creation from Am y Tornquist, ow ner of W atts G rocery
14 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
COUNTERPOINT from page 7 Ogwumike and a slew of talented perimeter players. Up-and-coming programs like Georgia, Penn State and Kentucky will also be threats to Duke in the postseason. The Blue Devils have been highly ranked in preseason polls many times since McCallie’s arrival, but have yet to get past the Elite Eight. Junior Haley Peters, for one, has not forgotten the disappointment of last season’s finish. “We want to be champions in our conference and make it to the Final Four,� Peters said. “That’s obviously everyone’s goal. Not getting [to the Final Four] makes it so you can’t be satisfied. Coming up short leaves a bad taste in your mouth.� Unfortunately for her and her teammates, injuries, lackluster defense and a deep, talented field will prevent Duke from turning the tide this year.
CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ/THE CHRONICLE
Elizabeth Williams and Chelsea Gray have the potential to form one of the nation’s most dangerous inside-outside tandems.
POINT from page 7 attack the basket relentlessly off the dribble and draw double teams away from Williams. Despite all this talent, the key to a sustained run in March for the Blue Devils will be health. Their season was derailed last year after the team lost Chloe Wells to suspension and Amber Henson and Richa Jackson to injuries during the winter. The injury bug has continued to bite into this season. The team has already
lost freshman center Katie Heckman for the season with a torn ACL. Jackson and Henson are both recovering from their injuries and are not expected to return until December. Most importantly, Williams apparently has not completely recovered from the stress fracture that she suffered in March. There is currently no timetable for Williams’ return. Fortunately for Duke and its doctors, the season schedule has dealt the team a favorable hand. While the Blue Devils usually have one of the top non-conference schedules in the
country each year, this season’s slate lacks any marquee opponents early on. Before January, Duke will only play two teams likely to be ranked, current No. 13 California and No. 22 Georgia Tech. This should give Williams, Jackson and Henson ample time to rest, so they can hopefully return at full strength when the schedule heats up after year end. The Blue Devils must get back to full health by January to be able to earn a No. 1 seed in March. A top seed would allow them to avoid the top two teams in the country, Baylor and Connecticut, until the Final Four. Late-season slipups likely cost Duke its shot at a top seed last year, and avoiding these will make for a much easier road to New Orleans in 2013. The Blue Devils have no reason not to be in New Orleans. They’ve run out of excuses. Overcoming the adversity of early-season injuries will play a critical role in Duke’s march to the Final Four, but there is simply too much talent and too much experience on the roster to fall short again this season. It’s time for Duke to take the next step, and you can count on seeing this team in the Final Four.
ELYSIA SU/THE CHRONICLE
Haley Peters averaged 10.8 points per game last season while also grabbing 5.6 rebounds.
THE CORE FOUR from page 6 last season has returned to pester the team at the beginning of this year, so much so that McCallie refused to make projections about the team’s potential. “Based on the injuries we’ve had, I just don’t think about that,� McCallie said. “I might have thought about that if we were perfectly healthy right now, but—man, we’ve worked hard...and we’ve got a starting five out.� When pressed, though, she acknowledged how special her current group of talent could be if it coalesces. “If we ever have that crescendo where it all comes together, we will all know it,� she said, pausing. “We will all know it.�
A Duke Tradition for over 30 years
S
ATISFACTION R E S TA U R A N T
&
BAR
Full Bar and Great New Wine List!
Good Luck Blue Devils "RIGHTLEAF 3QUARE s 7 -AIN 3T $5+% OR WWW SATISFACTIONRESTAURANT COM SATISFACTION NC RR COM
0IZZA s 3UBS s "URGERS s 3ALADS s "OTTLED "EERS $RAFT "EERS s ($ 46S
THE CHRONICLE
REDSHIRTS from page 3 Miles and Mason, along with Ryan Kelly and Josh Hairston. Standing at 6-foot-11, the youngest Plumlee called the de-
“There were definitely days in practice or games that I watched when I thought I could have been out there helping, ”
— Alex Murphy on redshirting cision to redshirt a “mutual feeling” between him and the Blue Devil coaching staff. “I just think it was the timing. We were very confident in my brothers as well as Ryan Kelly playing the post,” Plumlee said. “At my stage in my development, it just seemed best for me to take a year to get better and learn from them.” Aside from experience, the redshirt season paid large dividends physically for both Murphy and Plumlee, who are now prepared to take on bigger and faster competition at the college level. Murphy is in the best shape of his career and put on enough muscle to enter the year at 220 pounds. He expects to make an instant impact as a key member of the Blue Devils’ rotation after starting both exhibition games. Duke fans will have to wait a little longer to see Plumlee take the court for the first time. He is currently nursing a stress fracture in his left foot and is out indefinitely. Plumlee also mentioned the strides he made physically during the offseason and noted that having Murphy redshirting with him made the process easier for them both. “We definitely got closer,” Plumlee said. “Working a whole year by yourself can be hard. It was nice to have someone to work with and against. We really pushed each other to make one another better.” Now, with the experience of redshirting behind them, Murphy and Plumlee can serve as mentors to Duke’s current freshmen, Rasheed Sulaimon and Amile Jefferson. Rodney Hood—the Mississippi State transfer who will have to sit out the season per NCAA rules—will go through a similar experience this year of improving in practice and in the weight room while waiting for the chance to play. Although staying off the court for an entire year may have been the most difficult thing they have ever done, this year Murphy and Plumlee are out to prove that in the end it was all worth the wait. “There were definitely days in practice or games that I watched when I thought I could have been out there helping,” Murphy said. “But I think that at the end of the day, looking where I’m at now to start the season, I’m definitely reassured that redshirting was the right decision for me.”
DEFENSE from page 5 true small forwards. Last season, Duke struggled to defend forwards with perimeter abilities. There were a number of games where 6-foot-1 point guard Tyler Thornton was forced to guard small forwards who were sometimes up to seven inches taller. Now, Krzyzewski can turn to 6-foot-8 Alex Murphy, 6-foot-8 Amile Jefferson and 6-foot-4 Rasheed Sulaimon. “We have much more length on our team this year,” Krzyzewski said. “I don’t think we’re a particularly fast team. I’m not saying we’re slow either, but we’re pretty long.” These three newcomers have the size to provide exactly what Duke needs on the perimeter. Other defensive improvement could come from consistency between point guards Thornton and Quinn Cook, who will play in a more defined rotation this season. “Our point guard play, our on-the-ball defense is going to be better,” Krzyzewski said. “If we can limit second shots, keep people out of our paint, and not give up open threes— we want to be an outstanding halfcourt defensive team.” Of course, the concern not only lies on the perimeter, but also in the interior. Duke’s rebounding will need to improve over its subpar performance last season. According to Pomeroy, Duke allowed opponents to rebound 32 percent of their missed shots, ranking 165th in the country. Given the height advantage Duke has over many teams in with 6-foot-11 Ryan Kelly and 6-foot-10 Mason Plumlee, the Blue Devils should be able to compete at a higher level on the boards. Even in the team’s two exhibition games, against Western Washington and Winston-Salem State, opponents grabbed 18 and 19 offensive rebounds, respectively. If Duke wants to compete in the ACC, this is a problem that must be fixed. In a lot of ways, this Blue Devil team is similar to many other past squads: good shooting, good chemistry and, of course, good coaching. But an essential element that was missing a year ago was good defense, and with more length on the perimeter and experience in the post, Duke has taken a step in the right direction.
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
COOK from page 3 though, as he has the skills to back it up. “[I’m] somebody who’s pass-first, who gets other guys involved, takes the pressure off the defense with his ability to make open shots as well, and just a leader,” the point guard said. Cook joked about the difference between him and last year’s pair of combo guards who shared the ball-handling duties, Curry and Rivers. “I don’t have the height like Seth and Austin have, so I was kind of forced to be a point guard all my life,” he said. “For me, just being a point guard all my life, [I’m] able to get everybody the ball.” What Cook might not realize is his statistical superiority to Curry and Rivers as a point guard. On the surface, the sophomore’s 1.9 assists per game last season were unimpressive and another contributor to Duke’s mediocre assist total. When probed further however, Cook is statistically the best facilitator since the days of Duhon and Jason Williams. Extrapolated over 40 minutes—Cook averaged just
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 15
11.7 minutes last season—Cook had 6.5 helpers per game, the highest figure since Duhon’s senior campaign and a figure higher than the one Williams posted in his final season at Duke. Cook, like Duhon and Williams before him, has the luxury of a coach who knows a thing or two about point guard play, having been one himself and having coached the world’s best passers at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. “I talked to [Krzyzewski] a lot this summer. One thing he tells me about [Team USA point guards] Chris Paul and Deron Williams is they’re tough. They brought it every day,” Cook said. “To be a leader, to be the point guard, I’ve got to be tough. I have to bring it everyday.” Cook has the talent, he has the trust of his teammates and his coach, and he has a year of experience and knowledge. Now he has to go out when the season tips off Nov. 9 against Georgia State and prove that he can translate his potential into performance. “That’s one of my goals—just to be where they’re at. I feel like I can do that with the skills... that I have,” Cook said.
Woldorff Family Optometry Our goals: Your best vision. The style you love. Comprehensive eye exams, contacts, and glasses. Currently accepting… BlueCross BlueShield United Healthcare OptumHealth Vision Vision Service Plan Superior Vision EyeMed Community Eyecare Medicaid & Medicare
813 Broad St., Durham, NC 27705 (Near East Campus, Next to Nice Price Books)
(919) 381 - 5365
Find us on Facebook and @ woldorfffamilyoptometry.com
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
16 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
#1
N.C. STATE
in the ACC, the 6-foot-9 hybrid forward was a monster down the stretch last season, avAfter an impressive late-season run last eraging 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per year, the Wolfpack are expected to challenge game on the year. A heady floor general Triangle rivals Duke and North Carolina for with above-average athleticism, Brown was the ACC crown, as well as contend for a na- disciplined and effective last season, tallytional title. On paper, N.C. State is arguably ing 12.7 points and 6.3 assists per game. the best team in the ACC, with a wealth of Senior forward Scott Wood is the team’s talent highlighted by returning starters C.J. best shooter, shooting nearly 41 percent Leslie and Lorenzo Brown, who were both from 3-point range in 2011-12. After avpreseason first-team All-ACC selections. The eraging 10.8 points and 9.2 rebounds last two veterans will get plenty of help from the season, bruising 6-foot-8 big man Richard conference’s best crop of freshman—com- Howell gives the team another tough inbo guard Rodney Purvis, small forward T.J. side presence. Warren and point guard Tyler Lewis. The newcomers will add scoring producLeslie will be the go-to guy offensively. tion of their own from the outset. Purvis, Widely considered the most athletic player a dynamic 6-foot-3 slasher, will be difficult for any defender to stay in front of. Warren at 6-foot-8 has great size and versatility with the ability to consisLAST YEAR tently connect from longOVERALL: 24-13 range. Backing up Brown, ACC: 9-7 Lewis should be a reliable THE COACH facilitator off the bench. MARK GOTTFRIED One thing that needs to go right: 2ND YEAR AT NCST Leslie consistently brings CAREER: 302-167 it every night, plays to his talent level and establishes THE HOME COURT himself as a leader. RBC CENTER One thing that could go wrong: THE PLAYERS Whether or not Purvis SF Scott Wood Led the ACC with 95 3-pointers last year buys into the team concept and jives with the rest of PF C.J. Leslie Finished strong last season, dominating ACC play the squad could ultimately C Richard Howell Can he stay out of foul trouble? be the difference between SG Rodney Purvis Best freshman in the conference? a Final Four run and a PG Lorenzo Brown Led the ACC in steals, 2nd in assists first-weekend NCAA TourBENCH Tyler Lewis will get key minutes in the backcourt nament flameout for the Wolfpack.
THE CHRONICLE
#3
NORTH CAROLINA
by Brady Buck
by Karl Kingma
THE CHRONICLE
THE CHRONICLE
WOLFPACK
I FOUND MY CAREER FIT. IT’S TAILORED FOR MY GOALS.
Despite having four starters selected in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, North Carolina will count on a talented but unproven roster to try and repeat last season’s Elite Eight run. Reggie Bullock, a gifted scorer who shot 38.2 percent from beyond the arc, is the Tar Heels’ lone returning starter. Williams will have another excellent long-range option in Leslie McDonald, who missed last season with a torn ACL after leading North Carolina in 3-point shooting two years ago. Down low, sophomore James Michael McAdoo passed up a chance to turn pro after his freshman season, and has the talent to dramatically increase his production from last year’s 6.1 points and 3.9 boards per game. Desmond Hubert, a 6-foot-9 sophomore who played fewer than five minutes per game last year, may also earn a chance to assume a larger role. Incoming phenom point guard Marcus Paige will offer healthy competition for incumbent Dexter Strickland, who averaged 7.5 points per game before suffering an ACL injury of his own Jan. 19. The freshman Paige boasts excellent range and ball handling ability, and his skills give him a legitimate shot to start as a true freshman. Sophomore and Greensboro native P.J. Hairston, an excellent free-throw shooter with a capacity for streaky scoring, should only add to the backcourt depth. North Carolina has also ushers in a bevy of new frontcourt talent. Four-star power forwards Brice Johnson and Joel James add size,
We accept
North Carolina LAST YEAR OVERALL: 32-6 ACC: 14-2 THE COACH ROY WILLIAMS 10TH YEAR AT UNC CAREER: 675-169 THE HOME COURT DEAN E. SMITH CENTER THE PLAYERS SF Dexter Strickland Lockdown defender PFJames Michael McAdoo Best scorer C Joel James Burly freshman bruiser SG Reggie Bullock Sharp shooter PG Marcus Paige Natural passer BENCH Leslie McDonald returns from ACL tear
DELIVERY on campus 11 am - Midnight
duke points
Careers For Everything You Are
SPECIALTY
PIZZAS WRAPS SALADS SUBS
Opportunities currently exist in Raleigh for:
Retail Sales Representatives
strength and power to Williams’ roster, and high-flying wing J.P. Tokoto’s explosive athleticism makes for many highlight-reel plays. The loss of four NBA first-round picks will undoubtedly set the Tar Heels back, but Williams’ squad has plenty of talent if young players and veterans returning from injury can perform up to their potential. One thing that needs to go right: After turning down the chance to play professionally, James Michael McAdoo makes a noteworthy impact for the Tar Heels this season. One thing that could go wrong: North Carolina’s unproven leadership, becomes problematic in big games down the road.
309.3696
order d online: li enzopizzaco.com i
2608 2608 erwin 26 erwin rd. rd
We would love to cater your NEXT business or festive occASION
Enjoy benefits worthy of the name Total Rewards, including medical, dental and vision from day one, 401(k), paid vacation and holidays, and more. College degree or applicable experience preferred. Visit jobsatvzw.com/vzwjobs to apply today. Verizon Wireless is an equal opportunity employer m/f/d/v.
Now Open The Bicycle Chain at 5400 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
#4
MIAMI by Daniel Carp THE CHRONICLE
Returning four of its five starters from last year, many think the Hurricanes could be one of the ACC’s dark horses this season. The centerpiece to Miami’s offense is the frontcourt, featuring seniors Reggie Johnson and Kenny Kadji. Standing at 6-foot-10 and 292 pounds, Johnson has the potential to be one of the most dominant big men in the ACC this year after spending part of his junior season recovering from surgery on his right knee. Johnson led the Hurricanes to a stunning 78-74 overtime victory against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium last season, showing his potential with with 27 points and 12 rebounds.
#5
But Miami’s X-factor will undoubtedly be forward Kenny Kadji, who averaged 11.7 points per game and was the team’s most accurate 3-point shooter in his first season with the Hurricanes after transferring from Florida. With an imposing 6-foot-11 frame, Kadji poses a matchup problem and can score from anywhere on the floor. After losing more than 20 pounds this offseason, the senior from Douala, Cameroon has the potential for a breakout season and could be one of the ACC’s budding stars. In the backcourt, Durand Scott will miss Miami’s first three games of the year after being suspended by the NCAA for receiving impermissible benefits. When Scott returns
FSU THE CHRONICLE
LAST YEAR OVERALL: 25-10 ACC: 12-4 THE COACH LEONARD HAMILTON 11TH YEAR AT FSU CAREER: 401-337 THE HOME COURT DONALD L. TUCKER CENTER
MIAMI
LAST YEAR OVERALL: 20-13 ACC: 9-7 THE COACH JIM LARRANAGA 2ND YEAR AT MIAMI CAREER: 490-357 THE HOME COURT BANKUNITED CENTER THE PLAYERS SF Rion Brown Sharpshooter at 6-foot-6 PF Kenny Kadji Dual inside-outside threat C Reggie Johnson BIG in every sense SG Durand Scott Leading scorer last year PGShane Larkin Nifty floor general BENCH G Trey McKinney Jones, F Julian Gamble
Westat is seeking drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 who have a valid driver’s license and will allow a virtually unnoticeable data collection system to be installed in their personal vehicle for a year. There will be no permanent changes to the vehicle. Compensation of $500 provided per year and data kept confidential. Go to: www.drivingstudy.org to get more information about the study. To enroll, please contact us at 1-877-495-1556 and reference “Naturalistic Driving Study.”
EOE
Your own complete
1, 2 or 3 BEDROOM APARTMENT © GSC 01/12 0 Offer subject to change.
SEMINOLES
to the Hurricanes’ lineup, the team’s leading scorer in 2011 should make an instant impact. Scott’s teammates have raved about the senior shooting guard’s improvement during the offseason, and if he can make an impact Miami will have a legitimate inside-outside threat with Scott, Johnson and Kadji. Junior small forward Rion Brown, who is the only new addition to the Hurricanes’ starting five this season, has a soft touch from outside and could be a threat from 3-point range as well. One thing that needs to go right: As evidenced by its 5-4 record last season with Johnson sidelined, Miami has to stay healthy to compete in the ACC this year. One thing that could go wrong: Struggles at the free-throw line could doom the Hurricanes in late in games— Miami shot just 12-of-21 from the charity stripe in a two-point exhibition loss to Division II Saint Leo last Friday.
Young Drivers Wanted for Research Study
by Lopa Rahman Defending ACC tournament champion Florida State is ranked No. 25 to start the year, the only ranked squad in the conference outside of the Triangle. The Seminoles will look different this season from the team that defeated Duke in last year’s ACC tournament, as six seniors depart, including three starters and team leaders such as point guard Luke Loucks and 26-yearold, 6-foot-11 Air Force veteran Bernard James. Hamilton will look to tough senior guard Michael Snaer, a preseason All-ACC pick and the lone returning starter on the squad, for leadership and clutch play after he averaged 14.0 points per game last season, shot 40 percent from beyond the arc and played lockdown defense on the perimeter. They will also rely on junior Okaro White to utilize his length and athleticism to improve on his 7.7 point per game output last season. The forward led the team in its first outing—an exhibition game against Lincoln Memorial—with 19 points. An additional returning player expected to make waves this season is junior guard Ian Miller, who averaged 10.3 points per game in his sophomore season and projects to improve as a shooter. Two freshmen projected to make an impact early on are Boris Bojanovsky and Aaron Thomas. Bojanovsky— the tallest player in school history at 7-foot-3—is a center who should provide a strong presence in the paint. Thomas, a shooting guard, scored 12 points against Lincoln Memorial and should receive minutes in the backcourt from the get-go. Although the Seminoles are certainly not devoid of talent, they have their work cut out for them against the perennial ACC powerhouses. One thing that needs to go right: Ranked fifth in the country in field-goal percentage defense in 2011-12, Florida State continues to play stifling defense this season to build on last year’s success. One thing that could go wrong: The losses of Deividas Dulkys, James and Luke Loucks cripple the Seminoles on offense.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 17
Everything’s included: 5 Road Runner high-speed internet 5 Electricity (up to $100/month) 5 Broadcast cable ca
5 Water, sewer & trash 5 Free wi-fi at the pools 5 Washer/dryer
$0 Administrative fees Bike, walk or ride to Duke • On bus lines Fitness centers • Swimming pools • Tennis Furniture available • Online rent payment option
5 locations near Duke!
THE PLAYERS
FREE Apartment Information Service
SF Terry Whisnant Stepping into a much bigger role this year PF Okaro White Has all the physical tools to become a star C Kiel Turpin 7-foot JuCo transfer has big shoes to fill SG Michael Snaer Top guard in the ACC? PG Ian Miller Needs to be more consistent shooting
1-888-GSC-APTS
BENCH Tallest player in FSU history joins the roster
Email: AptInfoNC@GSCapts.com
www.GSCapts.com
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
18 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
#7
MARYLAND
#7 Virginia
LAST YEAR OVERALL: 22-10 ACC: 9-7 ter that lost star point guard Terrell Stoglin THE CHRONICLE and swingman Mychal Parker to seasonTurgeon struggled last year in his first sea- long suspensions. If the Terrapins were to reach their son at Maryland with just nine scholarship players. The team lacked not only talent but potential, though, they will need their also experience, often relying on freshmen returning players to step up in a big way. to play critical minutes for an energetic but Look for junior guard Pe’Shon Howard, who averaged 6.5 points, 3.7 rebounds turnover-prone squad. Help is on the way for the Terrapins, and 3.7 assists last season, to play a mathough, as talented transfer Dezmine Wells jor role. The athletic guard was a major was recently granted permission to play force on the defensive end for Maryland this season after having been expelled last season, though his season was cut from Xavier due to a sexual assault charge short due to an ACL tear in his right which was later thrown out by a grand jury. knee. In addition to the play of Howard, Wells and a pair of incoming freshmen— center Shaquille Cleare and sharpshooter Maryland’s success will rest heavily on Jake Layman—will bolster a Maryland ros- last year’s ACC All-Freshman team selection Nick Faust, and 7-foot1 sophomore center Alex Len, who last year posted the ninth-highest block total LAST YEAR in the ACC despite playing OVERALL: 24-13 just 22 games due to NCAA ACC: 9-7 infractions. THE COACH One thing that needs to go right: MARK TURGEON Howard returns to his 2ND YEAR AT MARYLAND pre-injury form and sevCAREER: 267-174 eral other players step into THE HOME COURT larger roles to replace TerCOMCAST CENTER rell Stoglin’s 20 points per game from last year. THE PLAYERS One thing that could go wrong: SF Dezmine Wells Key transfer and focal point on offense Maryland ranked 317th in the nation in assists PF James Padgett Physical senior and tough on the boards last year with just 10.6 per C Alex Len 7-foot-1 athlete with the potential for stardom game, and the Terrapins SG Nick Faust Leading returning scorer with 8.9 PPG were also poor at taking PG Pe’Shon Howard Will be asked to score more this year care of the ball. The loss BENCH Top recruits Shaquille Cleare and Charles Mitchell of point guard Stoglin only worsens these issues. by Josh Rosen
MARYLAND
T RINITY COMMONS AT ERWIN
THE CHRONICLE
#8 Georgia Tech LAST YEAR OVERALL: 11-20 ACC: 4-12
Read Steven Slywka’s full preview
online
#9 Clemson
#10 Wake Forest LAST YEAR OVERALL: 13-18 ACC: 4-12
Read Olivia Banks’ full preview
online
THE PLAYERS SF K.J. McDaniels Has the body at 6-foot-6 PFMilton Jennings Must improve shot C Devin Booker Best scorer on the team SG T.J. Sapp Sophomore steps into big role PG Rod Hall Another unproven second year BENCH Top recruit Jaron Blossomgame
Read Matt Pun’s full preview
online
THE PLAYERS SF Arnaud Adala Moto One of 7 freshmen PFTravis McKie 16.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG C Tyler Cavanaugh Another first year SG C.J. Harris 16.7 PPG, key to the offense PG Codi Miller-McIntyre Top freshman BENCH Dominated by freshman class
#11 Virginia Tech LAST YEAR OVERALL: 16-17 ACC: 4-12
online
THE PLAYERS SF Jason Morris Must improve offensively PFKammeon Hosley 59% FG last year C Daniel Miller Space filler at 6-foot-11 SG Brandon Reed Needs to hone his shot PG Mfon Udofia Needs to limit turnovers BENCH Julian Royal, freshmen wait their turn
THE PLAYERS SF Justin Anderson Freshman scorer PFAkil Mitchell Improved with experience C Mike Tobey Tall freshman body SG Joe Harris Sharpshooter, best scorer PG Jontel Evans Elite defender in the ACC BENCH Evan Nolte has size and touch
LAST YEAR OVERALL: 16-15 ACC: 8-8
Read Nick Martin’s full preview
#12 Boston College LAST YEAR OVERALL: 9-22 ACC: 4-12
Read Jay Sullivan’s full preview
online
THE PLAYERS SF Jarell Eddie Athletic 6-foot-7 swingman PFC.J. Barksdale Must earn his minutes C Cadarian Raines Senior post presence SG Robert Brown Soph. earns bigger role PG Erick Green 15.8 PPG, 2.8 APG last year BENCH Lack of depth could be killer
Read Lopa Rahman’s full preview
online
THE PLAYERS SF Patrick Heckmann Not afraid to shoot PFRyan Anderson 11.2 PPG last year C Dennis Clifford 7-foot post presence SG Lonnie Jackson 39.6 FG% last year PG Jordan Daniels Soph. floor general BENCH What bench? Eagles lack depth
SWITCH. SAVE. REPEAT. For a limited time, switch to Sprint and receive a $100 service credit for each newly activated line of service.
OFFERS FOR EMPLOYEES OF DUKE UNIVERSITY
SWITCH TO SPRINT AND GET
100
$ L U X U RY A PA RT M E N T S N E X T T O D U K E M E D I C A L C E N T E R
Apartment Amenities 3,000 Square Foot Fitness Center with Yoga Room Indoor Steam Room and Sauna 24 Hour Business Center Indoor Resistance Pool Outdoor Pool (Open Year Round) Billiards Room Clubhouse with Demonstration Kitchen 24 Hour Emergency Maintenance Outdoor Covered Grilling Area Dog Park
2530 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705 s WWW TRINITYCOMMONS COM
service credit for each new-line activation when you move from another carrier. Requires a new two-year Agreement.
VISIT SPRINT.COM/PROMO/IL30104PC within 72 hours of port-in activation to request your service credit. Don’t delay! Offer ends 12/31/12.
SPRINT.COM/DUKEUNIVERSITY This code must be attached to your account: Corporate ID: GUVHA_DUK_ZZZ May require up to a $36 activation fee/line, credit approval and deposit. Up to $350/line early termination fee (ETF) for advanced devices and up to $200 ETF/line for other devices (no ETF for Agreements cancelled in compliance with Sprint’s Return Policy). IL Portin Offer: Offer ends: 12/31/2012. $100 port-in credit for smartphones, feature phones and mobile broadband devices. Available only to eligible Individual-liable accounts with a valid Corp. ID. Requires port-in from an active wireless line/mobile number or landline/number that comes through the port process to a new-line on an eligible Sprint service plan. Ported new-line activation must remain active with Sprint for 61 days to receive full service credit. You should continue paying your bill while waiting for your service credit to avoid service disruption and possible credit delay. Offer excludes Nextel Direct Connect devices, upgrades, replacements, and ports made between Sprint entities or providers associated with Sprint (i.e., Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance), telephone numbers active on Sprint within the previous 60 days, all Corporate-liable, all plans less than $10, and $19.99 Tablet plans. Port-in Payment Expectations: Service credit will appear in adjustment summary section at account level on invoice and will appear as a “VALUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CREDIT.â€? If the service credit does not appear on the ďŹ rst or second invoice following the 61st day, visit sprint.com/promo and click on “Escalationâ€?. Individual-Liable Discount: Individual-Liable Discount: Available only to eligible employees of the company, organization or Government agency participating in the discount program (requires ongoing veriďŹ cation). Discounts are subject to change according to the company’s, organization's or agency's agreement with Sprint and are available upon request for select plans (monthly service charges only). No discounts apply to secondary lines, Add-A-Phone lines or add-ons $29.99 or less. Other Terms: Coverage not available everywhere. Nationwide Sprint Network reaches over 282 million people. Sprint reserves the right to modify, extend or cancel offers at any time. May not be combinable with other offers. Offers not available in all markets/retail locations. Other restrictions apply. Š 2012 Sprint. All rights reserved. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. N125592
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE
DUKE vs KENTUCKY GEORGIA DOME ATLANTA, GA. NOVEMBER 13 •
by Jackie Klauberg THE CHRONICLE
Head Coach: John Calipari 2011-2012 Record: 38-2 With one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, Kentucky, the 2012 NCAA national champions, is out to prove again that teams can rebuild year after year around players likely to be one-and-done. The Wildcats were ranked No. 3 in both the AP poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll entering the 2012-2013 season. Nine of the team’s 13 players are either sophomores or freshmen, but do not be fooled by the team’s youth. Standout 6-foot-10 freshman and the uit in the 2012 class accordNo. 1 recruit ing to ESPN, N, Nerlens Noel, scored 15 is first exhibition contest as points in his a Wildcat. Noel, a forward from Everett, Mass., is hard to miss on the floor. oes his flattop give him a Not only does few extra inches, nches, putting him well over seven feet, eet, but his athleticism, jumping ability and sheer length h make him a daunting unting or oppresence for ponents. Noel oel not utstandonly has outstandcking ability, but is also praised ing shot-blocking hability. for his coachability. Other notable otable classmates of Noel’s include two other ther consensus top-10 recruits, rd Archie Goodwin and 6-foot6-foot-4 guard 7 wing Alex Poythress, who was the subject ntroversy in Durham during his of some controversy recruitmentt when Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski made a potentially illegal phone call to the Tennessee native. auley-Stein, a 7-foot forward Willie Cauley-Stein,
ranked inside the top 40, rounds out yet another standout recruiting class for Calipari. The lone returner from last year’s crop of freshmen—6-foot-10 Kyle Wiltjer, who shot 43 percent from beyond the arc—will add a dangerous presence inside and out for Kentucky. Sophomore Ryan Harrow, a slick 6-foot-2 point guard, will be eligible to take the reins of the offense this season after transferring from N.C. State. Talent will not be an issue for the latest version of Calipari’s constantly changing roster, but depth might be. Calipari is used to having at least a couple of veteran players to jjoin his usual crop p of elite freshmen, but this year, sophomore sophomor Wiltjer ltjer is his only returning contributor. contribu One thingg that needs to ggo right: ht: guns develop All the young gun velop from group off individua talented grou als into a ccohesive sive team. has a knack for Calipari ha reconstructing Wildcat reconstruc each year teams eac ar despite building them m around outstanding outstand freshsimply stopping men sim through on their heir way to the NBA. One thingg thatt could ggo wrong: g recruiting The re ting class proves p pr oves not to be talented overcome enough to o ome the veteran experience. lack of vetera xperience. Calipari’s cclass of 2012 is stacked not as sta d as some past classes, so of his p there is not as much room for error. or.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 | 19
DUKE vs OHIO STATE DURHAM, NC. NOVEMBER 28 CAMERON INDOOR STADIUM •
by Vaishnavi Krishnan THE CHRONICLE
Head Coach: Thad Matta 2011-2012 Record: 31-8 Outlook: With the early departure of Jared Sullinger and the loss of starter William Buford, preseason No. 4 Ohio State has to make up for the loss in point production. Ohio State was also spectacular on defense and on the offensive glass, and Sullinger’s departure will have consequences on both of those aspects as well. Most of the pressure to fill that void will fall on 6-foot-7 combo forward Deshaun Thomas. Thomas is the leading returning scorer from last season at 15.1 points per game, and he showed flashes last season suggesting he is capable of taking over Sullinger’s role in the post and as a defensive rebounder. Thomas will get his assists from fellow junior Aaron Craft, one of the smartest point guards and best on-ball defenders in the nation. Beyond Craft and Thomas, Matta will count on a sophomore class that was one of the top recruiting classes in 2011. Sophomore Shannon Scott will serve as Craft’s backup at the point, providing speed and a strong defensive game but needing improvement over his 28 percent shoot-
ing performance last season. The starting frontcourt will feature two of Scott’s classmates—6-foot-10 center Amir Williams, who visited Duke during his recruitment, and 6-foot-8 LaQuinton Ross, who will need to work on his defense but has a smooth outside stroke. The final member of that recruiting class, Sam Thompson, saw minutes in all 39 games last year and will look to contribute off the bench. Known for his athleticism and length, he can earn big minutes if he lives up to his rebounding ability. The sole freshman addition for Matta Amedeo Della Valle, will be shooting guard A who took a circuitous rroute from the Italian U-18 national team through a year at an Ohio high school to the Buckeyes. He was recruited for his ability abi to hit the three and his 6-foot-5 frame. If Della Valle fra can h help manufacture points for the Buckeyes, that will take some of the pressure off the Ohio State veterans. thing that needs to go One th right: g The talented sophomore class steps into larger roles, giving the enough offensive fireBuckeyes enou their strong power to support sup defense. One thingg tthat could go wrong: With just one senior, W this year’s Ohio State thi team is young, and te the variety of young th players counted on p in key roles fail to live up to eexpectations.
Pomodoro Italian Kitchen Fresh Cuisine for the Cameron Crazy Mon-Thur 11am-10pm
919-382-2915
1811 Hillandale Rd. Fri & Sat 11am-10:30pm Durham, NC 27705 Sunday 12pm-9:30pm
Alden Place 2
Swimming Pools & Fitness Centers
Starbucks Coffee Bar Doggie “Bark� Park
TO RENT or TO BUY?
Kitchen Cabana Grill, Fireplace, TV Cyber Lounge
100 Alexan Drive Durham, NC 919.490.6990 CHRONICLEHOUSING COM CHRONI I where Duke ďŹ nds housing
APS@shared.westdale.com
Mention this ad in The Chronicle for free admin fees.
Alden Place at South Square
20 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012
ACC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE CHRONICLE