Q&A w/ Julian King of Duke Basketball Report

As we head towards Sunday, the sports focus around Baltimore is the Ravens playoff match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs. There is another game of interest that day though, as the University of Maryland Terrapins head to Durham to face the defending National Champion Duke Blue Devils.

Ranked Number 1 in the Country, Duke is undefeated at 14-0 (1-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference). Dating back to last-season the Blue Devils have won 24 games in a row (including the ACC, and National Tournaments) since losing at Maryland last March.

In preparation for Sunday’s game, we thank Julian King of Duke Basketball Report (DBR) for providing us with some analysis on the roster.

You can find DBR at http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Last season Duke started Brian Zoubek, and Lance Thomas at the Center and Power Forward positions. Both players were unselfish and provided a physical presence. With their departures, I know that Mason and Miles Plumlee (Mason is currently coming off the bench, but receiving major minutes) and Ryan Kelly have been sharing starting duties in the post.

It appears to me to be a more athletic front-line, with perhaps more offensive capability. How do you feel this group has progressed? Who will draw the defensive assignment against Jordan Williams?”

Julian King: “Primarily Miles and Mason, with Miles the better defender right now.  They’re up and down.  Kelly is the most consistent.  He’s going to be pretty good.  The Plumlees are hugely athletic but still inconsistent.  Duke misses Zoubek’s strength and size.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “I know that Freshman Forward Josh Hairston had a good game vs. Saint Louis but has received sporadic playing time otherwise. Will he continue to receive the 9 minutes a game he is averaging, or do you expect that to decrease in conference play?”

Julian King: “Most likely decrease like most Duke freshmen.  He’s going to be good but he’s at the end of the rotation right now, and Coach K prefers a tight rotation.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Duke has been rarely tested this season. On a neutral-floor Duke beat Marquette by 5. Marquette was close to equal with the Blue Devils on the boards (36-33) and Duke had an off-shooting night (6 of 18 from 3, 6 of 12 from the foul-line). Duke beat then #6 Michigan State at home also by 5. The Spartans were hot from 3 (9 of 17), and Duke got to the line often (38 attempts).

Duke was tied at half-time on a neutral floor with Butler, before pulling away for a 12 point win. Similar to the Marquette and MSU games, Butler competed on the boards (losing 32-31) also Duke was again off from 3 (8 for 26).

If you were game-planning against the Blue Devils, is your focus on winning on the glass and contesting shots from outside?”

Julian King: “At this point i’d say you have to stop Nolan Smith and that’s gotten harder.  Duke’s inside game is still erratic.  Also, I’m not sure people realize how good Andre Dawkins is.  He’s shooting better from 3 point range than anyone Duke’s had except Laettner.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Before his injury, all everything Freshman Kyrie Irving was averaging 17.4 ppg, 90% from the foul-line, 45.2% from 3, 5.1 assists, 3.8 boards, and 1.5 steals. The team has won all 6 games since he went down. Has the style of play changed at-all for the team since his injury?”

Julian King: “Yes.  His injury is a shame; the kid is freakishly good.  Without him, Duke is more deliberate and runs more set plays.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The injury seems unlikely to impact his NBA Draft status (high-Lottery pick) if he were to come out. If he misses most of this season, in conjunction with the NBA Labor concerns, would you expect his return for next season?”

Julian King: “No clue.  He did say he’d like to play with Austin Rivers, and if you watch his clips, you can see why.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Sophomore Guard Seth Curry is averaging nearly 21 minutes a night, after sitting out last-season upon his transfer from Liberty. As a Freshman at Liberty he averaged 20.2 ppg, including 26 and 24 point outings at Virginia and at Clemson. With Duke he is shooting 44.7% from 3, but his scoring is down to 6.9 ppg (including just 5 combined points in the two most recent games against Miami, and UAB). Does he appear comfortable as a complimentary player? Where does he need to improve?”

Julian King: “He’ll be fine.  Interestingly, he’s making his niche in large part as a defender.  When his shot is more consistent he’ll be a load.  Personally I think he’s putting pressure on himself.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Above you had mentioned Andre Dawkins. The Sophomore has seen his minutes double this year, and is shooting an unconscious 53.8% from 3 (on 4.6 attempts per game). With the increased playing-time he has upped his scoring average to 11.9 ppg. Outside of his obvious shooting ability, what do you like about his game?”

Julian King: “He’s much tougher.  He can drive, dunk, and has learned to defend.  He looks like an NBA player now.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “6’8 Senior Forward Kyle Singler has been consistently good throughout his career. With him at the SF position, he is a load for SF’s to cover with his size and offensive skills. How do you rate him as a defensive player?”

Julian King: “One of Duke’s best.  He’s not a physical freak like a Gerald Henderson, but he’s tireless and loves getting after it.  He’s very good.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “After the win against UAB, Coach K stated he believed Senior Guard Nolan Smith was playing as well as anyone in the country. Over the past 5 games he is averaging 26.2 ppg (19.6 for the season). He has increased his FG% from 44.1% last-year, to 53.4% this year. He has also increased his rebounding from 2.8 to 4.9. He looks like a Senior that knows time is a commodity. Your thoughts on the 6’2, 185 lb guard?”

Julian King: “Arguably he’s as good as anyone.  He’s playing like Johnny Dawkins now, and that’s very high praise.  Like Singler, the guy never wears down.  I thought he had more potential as a defender but his offense this year is just stunning.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Ken Pomeroy is predicting an 82-69 win for Duke Sunday night.  (http://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Duke) Do you see the game similarly?”

Julian King: “Predicting ACC games is futile.  Duke is favored, and if they start bombing, it could be a long night.  But with Duke and Maryland, it always comes down to defense.   That said, Williams will give Duke fits and Duke’s guards could drive Maryland nuts.”